republic of vanuatu

Honours (Amendment) 
Act No. 23 Of 2018
Arrangement of Sections
1	Amendment
2	Commencement

republic of vanuatu
Assent:		06/07/2018
Commencement:		27/07/2018
Honours (Amendment) 
Act No. 23 Of 2018
An Act to amend the Honours Act [CAP 120].
Be it enacted by the President and Parliament as follows-
1	Amendment
The Honours Act [CAP 120] is amended as set out in the Schedule.
2	Commencement
This Act commences on the day on which it is published in the Gazette.

SCHEDULE
AMENDMENTS OF the honours ACT [CAP 120]
1	After section 6
Insert
“6A	Establishment of Awards Advisory Committee
The Awards Advisory Committee is established.
6B	Composition of the Committee
The President may by Order, appoint the following persons as members of the Committee: 
(a)	the Principal Private Secretary of the State Office; and
(b)	a representative of the Prime Minister, nominated by the Prime Minister; and
(c)	a representative of the Vanuatu Christian Council, nominated by the Vanuatu Christian Council; and
(d)	a representative of the Media Asosiesen blong Vanuatu, nominated by the Media Asosiesen blong Vanuatu; and
(e)	a representative from the Department of Women’s Affairs, nominated by the Department of Women’s Affairs; and
(f)	a representative of the Malvatumauri Council of Chiefs, nominated by the Malvatumauri Council of Chiefs; and
(g)	a representative of the Police Service Commission, nominated by the Police Service Commission; and
(h)	a representative of the Public Service Commission, nominated by the Public Service Commission.
6C 	Functions of the Committee
(1)	The Committee has the following functions:
(a)	to consider nominations of persons for appointment to the Order; and
(b)	to make recommendations to the Prime Minister in relation to nominations made; and
(c)	to advise the Prime Minister on such other matters concerning an Order; and
(d)	to advise the Prime Minister on the type of medals and decorations a nominee is to receive. 
(2)	For the purpose of this section, Order means Order of Vanuatu which is an Order of honour for the purpose of granting recognition to citizens and other persons for achievements or distinguished services.
6D	Powers of the Committee
The Committee has the power to do all things that are necessary or convenient to be done for or in connection with the performance of its functions. 
6E	Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson of the Committee
(1)	The Principal Private Secretary is the Chairperson of the Committee.
(2)	The members of the Committee are to elect from amongst themselves a Deputy Chairperson.
(3)	The Deputy Chairperson is to hold office for a period of 1 year and may be re-elected.
6F	Meetings of the Committee
(1)	The Committee is to hold meetings as are necessary for the performance of its functions under this Act.
(2)	The quorum of the meeting is 5 members of the Committee present at the meeting.
(3)	A member present at the meeting has 1 vote and questions arising at a meeting are to be decided by a majority of votes.
(4)	If the voting at a meeting is equal, the member chairing the meeting has a casting vote.
(5)	The Chairperson is to preside at all meetings of a Committee and if the Chairperson is absent, the Deputy Chairperson is to preside at the meeting.
(6)	The Secretary after consultation with the Chairperson is to notify the other members of the Committee of the venue, time and date of the meeting.
(7)	Subject to this Act, the Committee may determine and regulate its own procedures.
6G	Secretary of the Committee
(1)	The Registrar is the Secretary of the Committee.
(2)	The Secretary has the following functions:
(a)	to prepare and circulate agendas and issue papers for meetings of the Committee; and
(b)	to take minutes of the meetings of the Committee and circulate the minutes to members of the Committee within 1 weeks after each meeting; and
(c)	such other functions as are imposed on the Secretary by this Act or any other Act.
6H	Sitting Allowance
The members of the Committee including the Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson are entitled to a sitting allowance of VT5, 000 for each day in which the Committee sits for a meeting.
6I	Appointment of Registrar of Order
(1)	The President is to appoint a Registrar of Order.
(2)	The Registrar is to hold office for a period of 3 years and is eligible for reappointment.
(3)	A person must not be appointed to the position of Registrar unless he or she:
(a)	has a diploma in public administration from a recognised tertiary institution; or
(b)	has a minimum of 3 years experience in public administration.
(4)	The President is to determine the terms and conditions of employment of the Registrar.
(5)	The appointment of the Registrar under subsection (1) must follow a fair and transparent selection process and must be based on merit.
(6)	The Registrar may be disqualified from his or her appointment if he or she:
(a)	is or becomes a member of Parliament, a Provincial Government Council or a Municipal Council; or
(b)	is bankrupt; or
(c)	has been convicted of an offence and sentenced to a term of imprisonment for  6 months or more, whether or not it is a suspended sentence.
(7)	The Registrar ceases to hold office if:
(a)	he or she is  disqualified for appointment under subsection (3); or
(b)	he or she becomes permanently incapable of performing his or her functions under this Act; or
(c)	he or she resigns from his or her office by giving a 2 weeks notice in writing addressed to the President; or
(d)	his or her appointment is terminated by the President for a serious breach of the terms and conditions of his or her employment; or
(e)	he or she is convicted of a serious misconduct”
6J	Functions of the Registrar
The Registrar has the following functions:
(a)	to be responsible for the administration and management of all matters related to Order under this Act; and
(b)	to coordinate and facilitate the implementation of the decisions of the Committee; and 
(c)	to assist the Office of the President to develop Medal Award criteria and other standard operation procedures for awarding all types of Medal Award; and
(d)	to prepare annual reports on the operations of the administration and management of Order, to the Committee and the President.”