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Honours Act

LAWS OF THE REPUBLIC OF VANUATU
CONSOLIDATED EDITION 2006

Commencement: 30 July 1980

CHAPTER 120
HONOURS

JR 28 of 1980
Act 3 of 1993

ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS

1. Establishment of orders of honour, medals and decorations
2. Provision for Independence Medal
3. Awards to be made by President
4. Awards to be Gazetted
5. Citation
6. Posthumous awards
7. Regulations
8. Offences
   

SCHEDULE

Part 1 – Vanuatu Independence Medal
Part 2 – Description of Vanuatu Independence Medal

HONOURS

To provide for the award of honours in the Republic of Vanuatu.

1. Establishment of orders of honour, medals and decorations

(1) The President may on the advice of the Council of Ministers by Order published in the Gazette establish or create –

(a) orders of honour for the purpose of granting recognition to citizens and other persons for achievements or distinguished service;

(b) decorations for persons who perform acts of bravery;

(c) decorations limited to members of disciplined forces of the Republic of Vanuatu who perform acts of bravery;

(d) medals for long service for members of the disciplined forces of the Republic of Vanuatu;

(e) medals to mark historic events in the Republic of Vanuatu to be awarded –

(i) to persons holding certain offices or of certain lengths of service or who have given good service;

(ii) to persons who have rendered service worthy of recognition.

(2) The Order creating an order of honour, medal or decoration may provide conditions relating to the order of honour, medal or decoration generally including –

(a) the division of the award into classes or divisions;

(b) the manner by which persons may be chosen to receive the award; and

(c) the restriction of the award to an issue of a certain number or to a maximum number of persons who may be appointed to it or hold it from time to time.

2. Provision for Independence Medal

The medal provided for in Part 1 of the Schedule shall be deemed to have been established in accordance with section 1.

3. Awards to be made by President

A person may be appointed to an order of honour or granted a medal or decoration by the President acting on the advice of the Prime Minister.

4. Awards to be Gazetted

The name of any person appointed to an order of honour or granted a medal or decoration in accordance with this Act shall be published in the Gazette.

5. Citation

(1) When appointing a person to an order of honour or granting a medal or decoration the President shall sign a citation giving brief reasons for the appointment or grant.

(2) When the grant of a medal or decoration is for an act of bravery short details shall be included in the citation of the facts related to the act.

6. Posthumous awards

A posthumous award may be made of a decoration granted for an act of bravery.

7. Regulations

The President, on the advice of the Prime Minister may by Order make regulations for –

(a) the cancellation of an award made in accordance with this Act;

(b) the manner of wearing insignia of orders of honour and medals and decorations;

(c) any conditions not provided for in an Order creating an order of honour, medal or decoration;

(d) any other matter that may provide for the better carrying into effect of the provisions of this Act.

8. Offences

Any person who –

(a) counterfeits the insignia of an order or a medal or decoration;

(b) without right wears or makes use of the insignia of an order or a medal or decoration;

(c) falsely represents himself as entitled to wear an insignia of an order or a medal or decoration; or

(d) wilfully defaces or destroys an insignia of an order or a medal or decoration;

commits an offence and shall on conviction be liable to a fine of VT 20,000 or to imprisonment for 1 year, or to both.

SCHEDULE

(section 2)

PART 1

Vanuatu Independence Medal

1. There is hereby created a medal to be known as the Vanuatu Independence Medal.
   
2. The medal is described in Part 2 of this Schedule.
   
3. The medal is limited to an issue of 300.
   
4. The medal may be awarded to –
   
   • (a) Heads of State and other foreign dignitaries who are invited to and do attend the celebrations of the independence of Vanuatu;
     
   • (b) persons holding certain offices;
     
   • (c) persons who have contributed with distinction to the attainment of Independence.
     

PART 2

Description of Vanuatu Independence Medal

(a) Made of cupro nickel – silver colour and suspended from a ribbon.

(b) Circular in shape with a diameter of 36 millimetres.

(c) Raised edge round circumference on obverse and reverse.

(d) Obverse bears in relief the Vanuatu Coat of Arms and the Word "Vanuatu" above it and the Word "Independence" below it followed by "1980".

(e) Reverse bears in relief the national emblem namely a stylised curved pig’s tusk making a circle round crossed namele leaves.

(f) Ribbon has 5 vertical bands of colour which are from the left –

• (1) Red 10 millimetres
  
• (2) Black 3 millimetres
  
• (3) Gold 4 millimetres
  
• (4) Black 3 millimetres
  
• (5) Green 10 millimetres
  

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Table of Amendments

1(1) (e) Substituted by Act 3 of 1993