Woomera Prohibited Area Rule 2014 Determination of Exclusion Periods for Amber Zone 1 and Amber Zone 2 for Financial Year 2014 - 2015 Amendment

Overview

The Defence Act 1903, as amended by the Woomera Prohibited Area Rule 2014, was enacted to regulate the access and activities within the Woomera Prohibited Area, ensuring national security and public safety. The Woomera Prohibited Area Rule 2014 Determination of Exclusion Periods for Amber Zone 1 and Amber Zone 2 for Financial Year 2014-2015 Amendment, made under the authority of the Minister for Defence, was introduced to adjust the exclusion periods for permit holders in the Woomera Prohibited Area. This amendment was deemed necessary as an administrative process for the financial year and did not require consultation. The amendment to the exclusion periods removes a specific timeframe from the exclusion list for Amber Zone 2, thereby allowing permit holders access during that period. The amendment is compatible with human rights as confirmed by the Statement of Compatibility with Human Rights, which was prepared in accordance with the Human Rights (Parliamentary Scrutiny) Act 2011. This adjustment to the exclusion periods facilitates more flexible permit usage while maintaining the integrity of security protocols within the Woomera Prohibited Area.

Scope and Application

The Woomera Prohibited Area Rule 2014 Determination of Exclusion Periods for Amber Zone 1 and Amber Zone 2 for Financial Year 2014-2015 Amendment applies to permit holders within the Woomera Prohibited Area, specifically targeting those holding permits that allow access to the Amber Zones. This legislative amendment is issued under the authority of the Minister for Defence and pertains to the Defence Act 1903. The amendment modifies previously established exclusion periods for Amber Zone 2, removing the exclusion period from 2 March 2015 to 15 March 2015. This change permits permit holders to access Amber Zone 2 during this previously restricted timeframe. The amendment does not require consultation as it involves an administrative adjustment to the exclusion periods for the financial year. The amendment comes into effect on the day following its registration, ensuring that the change is implemented without delay. Furthermore, the amendment has been assessed for compatibility with human rights, concluding that it does not engage any of the applicable rights or freedoms, thereby ensuring its alignment with human rights standards.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of this legislation, specifically the Woomera Prohibited Area Rule 2014 Determination of Exclusion Periods for Amber Zone 1 and Amber Zone 2 for the Financial Year 2014-2015 Amendment, focus on adjusting the exclusion periods for certain zones within the Woomera Prohibited Area. According to section 8(1) of the Woomera Prohibited Area Rule 2014, the Minister for Defence has the authority to determine these exclusion periods by legislative instrument. This amendment removes a previously specified exclusion period for Amber Zone 2, allowing permit holders to enter this zone between 2 March 2015 and 15 March 2015, which was previously prohibited. The obligations and requirements imposed by this Act on the parties and entities it governs are primarily centred on compliance with the amended exclusion periods. Permit holders under the Woomera Prohibited Area Rule 2014 must adhere to the newly determined periods and ensure that they do not enter the Amber Zones during the exclusion periods unless expressly permitted by their permits. The amendment clarifies that permit holders with access to Amber Zone 2 can now enter this area during the previously excluded period of 2 March 2015 to 15 March 2015, provided their permits allow such access. Regarding offences, penalties, or civil/criminal consequences for breaches, the legislation does not explicitly detail specific penalties for non-compliance with the exclusion periods. However, it is implied that failure to adhere to the permit conditions and exclusion periods could result in legal consequences, including potential revocation of permits or other enforcement actions under the Defence Act 1903 and the Woomera Prohibited Area Rule 2014. While the maximum penalties are not stated in this particular amendment, breaches of similar regulations typically involve administrative penalties, fines, or legal action depending on the severity and intent of the breach.