ELIZABETH R

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COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA

ELIZABETH THE SECOND, by the Grace of God Queen of Australia and Her other Realms and Territories, Head of the Commonwealth:

TO ALL to whom these Presents shall come,

GREETING:

WHEREAS it is desirable that there be instituted an Australian medal for the purpose of according recognition to members of Australian emergency services for distinguished service and to persons who render distinguished service relating to emergency management, training or education:

KNOW YOU that We do, by these Presents, institute a medal to be called the Emergency Services Medal:

AND WE DO ordain that the award of the Emergency Services Medal is governed by the Regulations set out in the Schedule.

IN WITNESS whereof We have caused these Our Letters to be made Patent.

GIVEN under the Great Seal of Australia at Our Court at St James’s on 7 July 1999

 

By Her Majesty’s Command,

John Howard

Prime Minister

 

Schedule

Emergency Services Medal Regulations

1 Name of regulations

  These regulations are the Emergency Services Medal Regulations.

2 Definitions

  In these regulations:

Defence Force has the same meaning as in the Defence Act 1903.

emergency service means a civilian emergency service of a State or Territory of Australia, regardless of whether the service is operated by the government of the State or Territory or by a non-government organisation.

external Territory means Norfolk Island, the Territory of Christmas Island or the Territory of Cocos (Keeling) Islands.

Medal means the Emergency Services Medal.

Register means the Register maintained under paragraph 9 (2) (a).

Registrar means the Registrar of Awards appointed under subregulation 9 (1).

responsible Minister means:

 (a) for regulation 4 — the Commonwealth Minister for the time being responsible for the management of emergency situations; or

 (b) for a State — the Premier of the State or a Minister of that State acting for the Premier; or

 (c) for the Australian Capital Territory or the Northern Territory — the Chief Minister of the Territory or a Minister of that Territory acting for the Chief Minister; or

 (d) for an external Territory — the Minister for the time being responsible for administering the Territory.

3 Award of the Medal — distinguished emergency service

 (1) The Medal may be awarded to a person who has given distinguished service as a member of an emergency service.

 (2) The Medal may be awarded regardless of whether the person is eligible for any other award because of the service.

 (3) However, a person who is already a holder of the Medal is not eligible for another award of the Medal.

 (4) The number of awards of the Medal for each State in a calendar year must not exceed:

 (a) one award for each 1,000, or part of 1,000, full-time permanent members of the emergency service, or combined emergency services, of the State; and

 (b) one award for each 5,000, or part of 5,000, part-time members, volunteers or auxiliary members of the emergency service, or combined emergency services, of the State; and

 (c) one additional award to a full-time permanent member, part-time member, volunteer or auxiliary member.

 (5) The number of members of the emergency service, or combined emergency services, of a State is the number of members serving on 30 June before the calendar year in which an award of the Medal is made.

 (6) One Medal may be awarded in a calendar year for the Australian Capital Territory.

 (7) One Medal may be awarded in a calendar year for the Northern Territory.

 (8) One Medal may be awarded in a calendar year for all of the external Territories.

4 Award of the Medal — management, training or education

 (1) The Medal may be awarded to a person who has given distinguished service relating to emergency management, training or education.

 (2) The Medal may be awarded regardless of whether the person is:

 (a) a member of an emergency service; or

 (b) a member of the Defence Force; or

 (c) a remunerated officer of the Commonwealth.

 (3) One Medal may be awarded in a calendar year.

5 Making of Awards

 (1) An award of the Medal must be:

 (a) made by the Governor-General, on the nomination of a responsible Minister; and

 (b) notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette.

 (2) Before nominating a person for an award of the Medal, the responsible Minister must consider whether the person’s distinguished service would be more appropriately recognised by another award to which the person is entitled.

6 Design of the Medal

  The design of the Medal is as determined by the Governor-General.

7 Wearing of the Medal

  The manner of wearing of the Medal is as determined by the Governor-General.

8 Designation of holders of the Medal

  A person to whom the Medal has been awarded is entitled to have the letters ‘ESM’ placed after his or her name on all occasions when the use of such letters is customary.

9 Registrar of Awards

 (1) The Governor-General must appoint a Registrar of Awards.

 (2) The Registrar must:

 (a) maintain a Register of the names of persons to whom the Medal has been awarded; and

 (b) keep such other records relating to the award of the Medal as the Governor-General directs.

10 Cancellation of award

 (1) On the recommendation of a responsible Minister, the Governor-General may cancel an award made under these regulations.

 (2) If an award of the Medal is cancelled:

 (a) the Registrar must strike from the Register the entry relating to the award; and

 (b) the person holding the Medal must return the Medal to the Registrar.

11 Reinstatement of award

 (1) On the recommendation of a responsible Minister, the Governor-General may reinstate an award that has been cancelled.

 (2) If an award is reinstated, the Registrar must:

 (a) restore the entry that was struck from the Register; and

 (b) return the Medal.