2010-2011

The Parliament of the

Commonwealth of Australia

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Presented and read a first time

Police Overseas Service (Territories of Papua and New Guinea) Medal Bill 2011

No.      , 2011

(Mr Morrison)

A Bill for an Act to propose a Medal which may be awarded to members of Australian police forces who served in the Territories of Papua and New Guinea between 1949 and 1973, and for related purposes

Contents

Part 1—Preliminary                                                                                                             1

1............ Short title............................................................................................. 1

2............ Commencement................................................................................... 1

3............ Definitions.......................................................................................... 1

4............ Minister to seek the Queen’s in‑principle agreement to establishment of Medal      2

5............ Medal to be established as soon as practicable subject to the Queen’s in‑principle agreement 2

A Bill for an Act to propose a Medal which may be awarded to members of Australian police forces who served in the Territories of Papua and New Guinea between 1949 and 1973, and for related purposes

The Parliament of Australia enacts:

Part 1—Preliminary

1  Short title

                   This Act may be cited as the Police Overseas Service (Territories of Papua and New Guinea) Medal Act 2011.

2  Commencement

                   This Act commences on the day after it receives the Royal Assent.

3  Definitions

                   In this Act:

                   Australian police forces means a police force (however described) of the Commonwealth of Australia or of a State or Territory, including the Royal Papua and New Guinea Constabulary.

                   Commissioner of Police means the Commissioner of Police appointed under subsection 17(1) of the Australian Federal Police Act 1979.

                   members of Australian police forces means sworn police officers in those Australian police forces.

4  Minister to seek the Queen’s in‑principle agreement to establishment of Medal

             (1)  Within 60 days of the commencement of this Act a Minister must write to the Governor‑General to seek the Queen’s in‑principle agreement to the establishment of a Medal to be titled The Police Overseas Service (Territories of Papua and New Guinea) Medal.

             (2)  The Minister’s correspondence seeking the Queen’s in‑principle agreement must include reference to the matters contained in subsections (3), (4), (5) and (6).

             (3)  The Medal would form part of the Australian honours system.

             (4)  The Medal would be awarded for service undertaken by members of Australian police forces who served as part of the Australian administration of the Territories of Papua and New Guinea between 1 July 1949 and 30 November 1973 inclusive.

             (5)  An award of the Medal would be made by the Governor‑General on the recommendation of the Commissioner of Police, or in extraordinary circumstances on the recommendation of the Minister who administers the Australian Federal Police Act 1979.

             (6)  The Medal could be awarded posthumously.

5  Medal to be established as soon as practicable subject to the Queen’s in‑principle agreement

                   If the Queen gives in‑principle agreement to the establishment of the Medal, the Minister must cause the following to be available for presentation to the Queen as soon as practicable:

                     (a)  draft Letters Patent and Regulations to give effect to the awarding of the Medal and any consequential administrative matters;

                     (b)  a proposed design for the Medal; and

                     (c)  a proposal for where the Medal will appear in the order of precedence for the wearing of Australian honours and awards.