Woomera Prohibited Area Rule 2014 Determination of Exclusion Periods for Amber Zone 1 and Amber Zone 2 for Financial Year 2017 - 2018 Amendment No.1

Overview

The Woomera Prohibited Area Rule 2014 Determination of Exclusion Periods for Amber Zone 1 and Amber Zone 2 for Financial Year 2017-2018 Amendment No. 1 was enacted by the Minister for Defence, as delegated by subsection 8(1) of the Woomera Prohibited Area Rule 2014, to adjust the exclusion periods for access to specific areas within the Woomera Prohibited Area. This amendment aims to modify the previously determined exclusion periods for the financial year 2017-2018, thereby impacting the schedule for permit holders' access to Amber Zone 1 and Amber Zone 2. The change involves removing certain exclusion periods and inserting new ones, as detailed in Attachment 1 of the explanatory statement. The amendment does not require consultation, as it pertains to an administrative process specific to the financial year, and it was not considered to impact any human rights or freedoms, as evidenced by the Statement of Compatibility with Human Rights in Attachment 2.

Scope and Application

The Woomera Prohibited Area Rule 2014 Determination of Exclusion Periods for Amber Zone 1 and Amber Zone 2 for Financial Year 2017-2018 Amendment No.1 applies to permit holders within the Woomera Prohibited Area, which is a Commonwealth-managed area. This legislation modifies the exclusion periods that permit holders are subject to for entering Amber Zone 1 and Amber Zone 2 within the Woomera Prohibited Area. The amendment removes previously specified exclusion periods and introduces new exclusion periods for the financial year 2017-2018, which are designed to manage access to these sensitive areas while balancing operational needs. The amendment does not extend beyond the specified exclusion periods and is confined to administrative adjustments within the Woomera Prohibited Area. The legislative instrument does not specify any exemptions or exclusions beyond the scope of the amended exclusion periods. The amendment was made without requiring consultation, as it is deemed an internal administrative process. The changes came into effect on the day after the amendment's registration.

Key Provisions

The Woomera Prohibited Area Rule 2014, as amended by the Determination of Exclusion Periods for Amber Zone 1 and Amber Zone 2 for Financial Year 2017-2018 Amendment No.1, outlines specific dates during which permit holders are prohibited from entering Amber Zone 1 and Amber Zone 2 within the Woomera Prohibited Area. As per section 8(1) of the Woomera Prohibited Area Rule 2014, the Minister for Defence, or their delegate, determines these exclusion periods annually. The amendment, dated 20 March 2017, modifies the previously established exclusion periods by removing certain dates between 2 July 2017 and 15 July 2017 for both Amber Zone 1 and Amber Zone 2. Instead, it introduces new exclusion periods from 1 July 2017 to 7 July 2017 and from 8 July 2017 to 14 July 2017 for the same zones. Permit holders and other relevant parties governed by the Woomera Prohibited Area Rule 2014 must adhere to the newly defined exclusion periods. This includes ensuring that they do not enter Amber Zone 1 or Amber Zone 2 during the specified dates unless expressly permitted. The amendment effectively changes the administrative framework for managing access to these zones, necessitating compliance with the updated dates to avoid any legal repercussions. The Woomera Prohibited Area Rule 2014 does not explicitly state penalties for breaching the exclusion periods within the provided text. However, given the nature of such regulations, it is reasonable to infer that non-compliance could result in legal consequences. Typically, breaches of conditions set by the Minister for Defence could lead to civil or criminal penalties, depending on the severity and intent behind the breach. The exact penalties would be governed by other applicable laws and regulations, which might include fines, imprisonment, or other administrative actions. It is crucial for permit holders to stay informed about these periods to avoid any unintended violations.