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Defence Legislation (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act 2009

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Defence Legislation (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act 2009
 
No. 18, 2009
 
 
 
 
 
An Act to amend legislation relating to defence, and for related purposes
  
  
Contents
1............ Short title............................................................................................ 1
2............ Commencement.................................................................................. 2
3............ Schedule(s).......................................................................................... 3
Schedule 1—The third additional protocol to the Geneva Conventions  4
Criminal Code Act 1995                                                                                            4
Geneva Conventions Act 1957                                                                                  4
Schedule 2—Medical and dental treatment                                                           14
Defence Act 1903                                                                                                       14
Schedule 3—Joint Defence Facility Pine Gap                                                      15
Defence (Special Undertakings) Act 1952                                                           15
Schedule 4—Technical amendments                                                                          17
Defence (Special Undertakings) Act 1952                                                           17
 

 
 
Defence Legislation (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act 2009
No. 18, 2009
 
 
 
An Act to amend legislation relating to defence, and for related purposes
[Assented to 26 March 2009]
The Parliament of Australia enacts:
1  Short title
                   This Act may be cited as the Defence Legislation (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act 2009.
2  Commencement
             (1)  Each provision of this Act specified in column 1 of the table commences, or is taken to have commenced, in accordance with column 2 of the table. Any other statement in column 2 has effect according to its terms.
 
Commencement information

Column 1
Column 2
Column 3

Provision(s)
Commencement
Date/Details

1.  Sections 1 to 3 and anything in this Act not elsewhere covered by this table
The day on which this Act receives the Royal Assent.
26 March 2009

2.  Schedule 1
A single day to be fixed by Proclamation.
However:
(a)  the Proclamation must not specify a day that occurs before the day on which Protocol III to the Geneva Conventions enters into force for Australia; and
(b) if any of the provision(s) do not commence within the period of one month beginning on the day on which Protocol III to the Geneva Conventions enters into force for Australia, they commence on the first day after the end of that period.
If a provision commences as a result of paragraph (b), the Minister must announce by notice in the Gazette the day on which the provision commenced.
15 February 2010
(see 2010, GN26)

3.  Schedule 2
A single day to be fixed by Proclamation.
However, if any of the provision(s) do not commence within the period of 6 months beginning on the day on which this Act receives the Royal Assent, they commence on the first day after the end of that period.
26 September 2009

4.  Schedule 3
The day after this Act receives the Royal Assent.
27 March 2009

5.  Schedule 4
The day on which this Act receives the Royal Assent.
26 March 2009

Note:          This table relates only to the provisions of this Act as originally passed by both Houses of the Parliament and assented to. It will not be expanded to deal with provisions inserted in this Act after assent.
             (2)  Column 3 of the table contains additional information that is not part of this Act. Information in this column may be added to or edited in any published version of this Act.
3  Schedule(s)
                   Each Act that is specified in a Schedule to this Act is amended or repealed as set out in the applicable items in the Schedule concerned, and any other item in a Schedule to this Act has effect according to its terms.
 
Schedule 1—The third additional protocol to the Geneva Conventions
  
Criminal Code Act 1995
1  Dictionary in the Criminal Code
Insert:
Protocol III to the Geneva Conventions means the Protocol Additional to the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949, and relating to the Adoption of an Additional Distinctive Emblem (Protocol III), done at Geneva on 8 December 2005, a copy of the English text of which is set out in Schedule 6 to the Geneva Conventions Act 1957.
2  Dictionary in the Criminal Code (definition of Protocols to the Geneva Conventions)
Omit “and Protocol II to the Geneva Conventions”, substitute “, Protocol II to the Geneva Conventions and Protocol III to the Geneva Conventions”.
Geneva Conventions Act 1957
3  Subsection 5(1A)
Insert:
Protocol III means the Protocol Additional to the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949, and relating to the Adoption of an Additional Distinctive Emblem (Protocol III), done at Geneva on 8 December 2005, a copy of the English text of which is set out in Schedule 6.
4  Subsection 5(3)
After “Protocol I”, insert “or Protocol III”.
5  After paragraph 15(1)(c)
Insert:
                    (ca)  the emblem of a red frame in the shape of a square on edge on a white ground, or the designation “Red Crystal”;
6  Paragraph 15(1)(e)
After “(c)”, insert “, (ca)”.
7  At the end of paragraph 15(1)(f)
Add “or Protocol III”.
8  Subsection 15(5)
Omit “the day on which this Act received the Royal Assent” (first occurring), substitute “the day to which subsection (5A) applies”.
9  Subsection 15(5)
Omit “paragraph (1)(b) or (c)”, substitute “paragraph (1)(b), (c) or (ca)”.
10  Paragraphs 15(5)(a) and (b)
Omit “the day on which this Act received the Royal Assent”, substitute “the day to which subsection (5A) applies”.
11  After subsection 15(5)
Insert:
          (5A)  For the purposes of subsection (5), this subsection applies to the following day:
                     (a)  to the extent that subsection (5) applies in relation to a trade mark consisting of or containing an emblem or designation specified in paragraph (1)(b) or (c) or a design or wording resembling such an emblem or designation—the day on which this Act received the Royal Assent;
                     (b)  to the extent that subsection (5) applies in relation to a trade mark consisting of or containing an emblem or designation specified in paragraph (1)(ca) or a design or wording resembling such an emblem or designation—the day on which Schedule 1 to the Defence Legislation (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act 2009 commenced.
12  At the end of the Act
Add:
Schedule 6—Protocol Additional to the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949, and relating to the Adoption of an Additional Distinctive Emblem (Protocol III)
Section 5
  
Preamble
 
The High Contracting Parties,
 
(PP1) Reaffirming the provisions of the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949 (in particular Articles 26, 38, 42 and 44 of the First Geneva Convention) and, where applicable, their Additional Protocols of 8 June 1977 (in particular Articles 18 and 38 of Additional Protocol I and Article 12 of Additional Protocol II), concerning the use of distinctive emblems,
 
(PP2) Desiring to supplement the aforementioned provisions so as to enhance their protective value and universal character,
 
(PP3) Noting that this Protocol is without prejudice to the recognized right of High Contracting Parties to continue to use the emblems they are using in conformity with their obligations under the Geneva Conventions and, where applicable, the Protocols additional thereto,
 
(PP4) Recalling that the obligation to respect persons and objects protected by the Geneva Conventions and the Protocols additional thereto derives from their protected status under international law and is not dependent on use of the distinctive emblems, signs or signals,
 
(PP5) Stressing that the distinctive emblems are not intended to have any religious, ethnic, racial, regional or political significance,
 
(PP6) Emphasizing the importance of ensuring full respect for the obligations relating to the distinctive emblems recognized in the Geneva Conventions, and, where applicable, the Protocols additional thereto,
 
(PP7) Recalling that Article 44 of the First Geneva Convention makes the distinction between the protective use and the indicative use of the distinctive emblems,
 
(PP8) Recalling further that National Societies undertaking activities on the territory of another State must ensure that the emblems they intend to use within the framework of such activities may be used in the country where the activity takes place and in the country or countries of transit,
 
(PP9) Recognizing the difficulties that certain States and National Societies may have with the use of the existing distinctive emblems,
 
(PP10) Noting the determination of the International Committee of the Red Cross, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement to retain their current names and emblems,
 
Have agreed on the following:
 
 
Article 1 ‑ Respect for and scope of application of this Protocol
1.   The High Contracting Parties undertake to respect and to ensure respect for this Protocol in all circumstances.
2.   This Protocol reaffirms and supplements the provisions of the four Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949 (“the Geneva Conventions”) and, where applicable, of their two Additional Protocols of 8 June 1977 (“the 1977 Additional Protocols”) relating to the distinctive emblems, namely the red cross, the red crescent and the red lion and sun, and shall apply in the same situations as those referred to in these provisions.
 
 
Article 2 ‑ Distinctive emblems
 
1.   This Protocol recognizes an additional distinctive emblem in addition to, and for the same purposes as, the distinctive emblems of the Geneva Conventions. The distinctive emblems shall enjoy equal status.
 
2.   This additional distinctive emblem, composed of a red frame in the shape of a square on edge on a white ground, shall conform to the illustration in the Annex to this Protocol. This distinctive emblem is referred to in this Protocol as the “third Protocol emblem”.
 
3.   The conditions for use of and respect for the third Protocol emblem are identical to those for the distinctive emblems established by the Geneva Conventions and, where applicable, the 1977 Additional Protocols.
 
4.   The medical services and religious personnel of armed forces of High Contracting Parties may, without prejudice to their current emblems, make temporary use of any distinctive emblem referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article where this may enhance protection.
 
 
Article 3 ‑ Indicative use of the third Protocol emblem
 
1.   National Societies of those High Contracting Parties which decide to use the third Protocol emblem may, in using the emblem in conformity with relevant national legislation, choose to incorporate within it, for indicative purposes:
 
a)   a distinctive emblem recognized by the Geneva Conventions or a combination of these emblems; or
 
b)   another emblem which has been in effective use by a High Contracting Party and was the subject of a communication to the other High Contracting Parties and the International Committee of the Red Cross through the depositary prior to the adoption of this Protocol.
 
Incorporation shall conform to the illustration in the Annex to this Protocol.
 
2.   A National Society which chooses to incorporate within the third Protocol emblem another emblem in accordance with paragraph 1 above, may, in conformity with national legislation, use the designation of that emblem and display it within its national territory.
 
3.   National Societies may, in accordance with national legislation and in exceptional circumstances and to facilitate their work, make temporary use of the distinctive emblem referred to in Article 2 of this Protocol.
 
4.   This Article does not affect the legal status of the distinctive emblems recognized in the Geneva Conventions and in this Protocol, nor does it affect the legal status of any particular emblem when incorporated for indicative purposes in accordance with paragraph 1 of this Article.
 
 
Article 4 ‑ International Committee of the Red Cross and
International
Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
 
The International Committee of the Red Cross and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, and their duly authorized personnel, may use, in exceptional circumstances and to facilitate their work, the distinctive emblem referred to in Article 2 of this Protocol.
 
Article 5 ‑ Missions under United Nations auspices
 
The medical services and religious personnel participating in operations under the auspices of the United Nations may, with the agreement of participating States, use one of the distinctive emblems mentioned in Articles 1 and 2.
 
 
Article 6 ‑ Prevention and repression of misuse
 
1.   The provisions of the Geneva Conventions and, where applicable, the 1977 Additional Protocols, governing prevention and repression of misuse of the distinctive emblems shall apply equally to the third Protocol emblem. In particular, the High Contracting Parties shall take measures necessary for the prevention and repression, at all times, of any misuse of the distinctive emblems mentioned in Articles 1 and 2 and their designations, including the perfidious use and the use of any sign or designation constituting an imitation thereof.
 
2.   Notwithstanding paragraph 1 above, High Contracting Parties may permit prior users of the third Protocol emblem, or of any sign constituting an imitation thereof, to continue such use, provided that the said use shall not be such as would appear, in time of armed conflict, to confer the protection of the Geneva Conventions and, where applicable, the 1977 Additional Protocols, and provided that the rights to such use were acquired before the adoption of this Protocol.
 
 
Article 7 ‑ Dissemination
The High Contracting Parties undertake, in time of peace as in time of armed conflict, to disseminate this Protocol as widely as possible in their respective countries and, in particular, to include the study thereof in their programmes of military instruction and to encourage the study thereof by the civilian population, so that this instrument may become known to the armed forces and to the civilian population.
 
 
Article 8 ‑ Signature
 
This Protocol shall be open for signature by the Parties to the Geneva Conventions on the day of its adoption and will remain open for a period of twelve months.
 
 
Article 9 ‑ Ratification
This Protocol shall be ratified as soon as possible. The instruments of ratification shall be deposited with the Swiss Federal Council, depositary of the Geneva Conventions and the 1977 Additional Protocols.
 
 
Article 10 ‑ Accession
This Protocol shall be open for accession by any Party to the Geneva Conventions which has not signed it. The instruments of accession shall be deposited with the depositary.
 
 
Article 11 ‑ Entry into force
 
1.   This Protocol shall enter into force six months after two instruments of ratification or accession have been deposited.
2.   For each Party to the Geneva Conventions thereafter ratifying or acceding to this Protocol, it shall enter into force six months after the deposit by such Party of its instrument of ratification or accession.
 
 
Article 12 ‑ Treaty relations upon entry into force of this Protocol
1.   When the Parties to the Geneva Conventions are also Parties to this Protocol, the Conventions shall apply as supplemented by this Protocol.
2.   When one of the Parties to the conflict is not bound by this Protocol, the Parties to the Protocol shall remain bound by it in their mutual relations. They shall furthermore be bound by this Protocol in relation to each of the Parties which are not bound by it, if the latter accepts and applies the provisions thereof.
 
 
Article 13 ‑ Amendment
 
1.   Any High Contracting Party may propose amendments to this Protocol. The text of any proposed amendment shall be communicated to the depositary, which shall decide, after consultation with all the High Contracting Parties, the International Committee of the Red Cross and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, whether a conference should be convened to consider the proposed amendment.
 
2.   The depositary shall invite to that conference all the High Contracting Parties as well as the Parties to the Geneva Conventions, whether or not they are signatories of this Protocol.
 
 
Article 14 ‑ Denunciation
 
1.   In case a High Contracting Party should denounce this Protocol, the denunciation shall only take effect one year after receipt of the instrument of denunciation. If, however, on the expiry of that year the denouncing Party is engaged in a situation of armed conflict or occupation, the denunciation shall not take effect before the end of the armed conflict or occupation.
2.   The denunciation shall be notified in writing to the depositary, which shall transmit it to all the High Contracting Parties.
3.   The denunciation shall have effect only in respect of the denouncing Party.
4.   Any denunciation under paragraph 1 shall not affect the obligations already incurred, by reason of the armed conflict or occupation, under this Protocol by such denouncing Party in respect of any act committed before this denunciation becomes effective.
 
 
Article 15 ‑ Notifications
The depositary shall inform the High Contracting Parties as well as the Parties to the Geneva Conventions, whether or not they are signatories of this Protocol, of:
 
a)   signatures affixed to this Protocol and the deposit of instruments of ratification and accession under Articles 8, 9 and 10;
 
b)   the date of entry into force of this Protocol under Article 11 within ten days of said entry into force;
 
c)   communications received under Article 13;
 
d)   denunciations under Article 14.
 
 
Article 16 ‑ Registration
 
1.   After its entry into force, this Protocol shall be transmitted by the depositary to the Secretariat of the United Nations for registration and publication, in accordance with Article 102 of the Charter of the United Nations.
2.   The depositary shall also inform the Secretariat of the United Nations of all ratifications, accessions and denunciations received by it with respect to this Protocol.
 
 
Article 17 ‑ Authentic texts
 
The original of this Protocol, of which the Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish texts are equally authentic, shall be deposited with the depositary, which shall transmit certified true copies thereof to all the Parties to the Geneva Conventions.
 
 
 
ANNEX
 
 
THIRD PROTOCOL EMBLEM
(Article 2, paragraph 2 and Article 3, paragraph 1 of the Protocol)
 
 
Article 1 ‑ Distinctive emblem
 
 
 
Article 2 ‑ Indicative use of the third Protocol emblem
 
 
Note:       The emblems in the Annex to the Protocol are in red on a white ground.
 
Schedule 2—Medical and dental treatment
  
Defence Act 1903
1  At the end of paragraphs 124(1)(a) to (h)
Add “and”.
2  After paragraph 124(1)(h)
Insert:
                      (i)  medical or dental treatment of a member or cadet, or a member of the family of a member; and
3  At the end of paragraphs 124(1)(j) to (u)
Add “and”.
4  Subsection 124(1B)
Omit “(d) and (e)”, substitute “(e) and (i)”.
5  After subsection 124(1B)
Insert:
          (1C)  In paragraph (1)(i), medical or dental treatment includes the provision of services or goods (including pharmaceuticals) related to medical or dental treatment.
 
Schedule 3—Joint Defence Facility Pine Gap
  
Defence (Special Undertakings) Act 1952
1  After section 2
Insert:
2A  Purposes of Act
                   The purposes of this Act are:
                     (a)  to provide for the protection by the Commonwealth of works and undertakings that are carried out for or in relation to:
                              (i)  the defence of Australia; or
                             (ii)  the defence of Australia and the defence of another country; and
                     (b)  to provide for the protection by the Commonwealth of areas that are reserved for:
                              (i)  the defence of Australia; or
                             (ii)  the defence of Australia and the defence of another country; and
                     (c)  to provide for the protection by the Commonwealth of works, undertakings and areas that require special security measures; and
                     (d)  to provide for the protection by the Commonwealth of works, undertakings and areas in order to enable Australia to fulfil its obligations under treaties, conventions and international agreements relating to defence or security.
2  Section 4
Insert:
prohibited area means a place, or an area, that is a prohibited area under section 7, 8 or 8A.
3  Section 4
Insert:
restricted area means an area that is a restricted area under section 14.
4  Section 4
Insert:
special defence undertaking means a work or undertaking that is a special defence undertaking under section 6 or 8A.
5  Section 6
Omit “for the purposes of this Act”.
6  Subsection 7(1)
Omit “for the purposes of this Act”.
7  Section 8
Omit “, for the purposes of this Act,”.
8  After section 8
Insert:
8A  Joint Defence Facility Pine Gap
Prohibited area
             (1)  The whole of the area (the JDFPG area) described in Certificate of Title Volume 321 Folio 075 being NT Portion 4130 from Plan LT091/006 is a prohibited area.
Special defence undertaking
             (2)  A work or undertaking that is carried out at the JDFPG area is a special defence undertaking.
9  Subsections 14(1) and (2)
Omit “for the purposes of this Act”.
 
Schedule 4—Technical amendments
  
Defence (Special Undertakings) Act 1952
1  Section 10
Omit “by writing under his hand”, substitute “in writing”.
2  Subsection 11(1)
Omit “by writing under his hand”, substitute “in writing”.
3  Section 18
After “his”, insert “or her”.
4  Subsection 20(1)
After “his”, insert “or her”.
5  Section 21
After “his”, insert “or her”.
6  Section 26
After “he”, insert “or she”.
7  Subsection 28(1)
After “his”, insert “or her”.
8  Subsection 28(2)
After “for his”, insert “or her”.
9  Subsection 28(2)
After “he”, insert “or she”.
10  Subsection 28(2)
After “under his”, insert “or her”.
11  Paragraph 31(1)(c)
After “he”, insert “or she”.
 
 
 
 
[Minister’s second reading speech made in—
House of Representatives on 3 December 2008
Senate on 12 February 2009]
(231/08)