AI Summary of 15. Cancellation and surrender of public services card.
The new section 263A introduced to the Principal Act outlines the conditions under which a public services card may be cancelled by the Minister. Key grounds for cancellation include the emergence of facts that would have warranted a refusal of issuance, unlawful possession by a third party, or reports of loss or theft.
Upon cancellation, the Minister is obliged to notify the cardholder in writing and require the surrender of the card. Failure to comply with these surrender obligations, without reasonable excuse, constitutes an offence. This regulatory measure aims to enhance the integrity and security of public service identification mechanisms.
15. Cancellation and surrender of public services card.
The Principal Act is amended by inserting the following section after section 263:
"263A. Cancellation and surrender of public services card.
(1) The Minister may cancel a public services card issued to a person under section 263 if -
(a) the Minister becomes aware of a fact or a circumstance, whether occurring before or after the issue of the public services card, that would have required or permitted him or her to refuse to issue the public services card under section 263 to the person had the Minister been aware of the fact or the circumstance before the public services card was issued,
(b) the Minister is notified that the public services card is, without lawful authority or reasonable excuse, in the possession or control of another person, or
(c) the Minister is notified by the person, or by another person who has been appointed to act on behalf of that person in accordance with regulations made under section 244(1) (b), that the public services card has been lost or stolen.
(2) Where a public services card issued to a person is cancelled under subsection (1), the Minister shall inform the person by notice in writing of the cancellation and the grounds for it.
(3) Where a public services card issued to a person is cancelled under subsection (1), the person shall, if he or she is in possession or control of the public services card, surrender it as soon as practicable to the Minister.