Download PDFHouse: House of Representatives
Portfolio: Primary Industries and Energy
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Purpose
To provide for the establishment of primary industries industry councils which will review the strategic direction of the relevant primary industry; inquire into matters affecting the relevant primary industry; and convene industry review conferences.
Background
Refer to the Digest for the Australian Wool Realisation Commission Bill 1991.
Main Provisions
The Bill will have effect from 1 July 1991 (clause 2).
The object of the Bill will be to establish industry councils for certain primary industries to facilitate the development of Commonwealth primary industries policies through industry involvement in the policy formation process (clause 3).
Clause 6 provides for the establishment of primary industries industry councils by regulation.
The functions and powers of industry councils are contained in clauses 7 and 8 and include: to review and report to the Minister on the strategic direction of the relevant primary industry; to inquire and report on matters affecting the relevant primary industry; and to convene industry review conferences.
An industry council is to report to the Minister on the strategic direction of the relevant primary industry whenever it thinks it necessary and when requested by the Minister to do so (clause 9).
An industry council may and is, where required by the regulations, to convene industry review conferences. The purpose of an industry review conference is to consider the strategic direction of the relevant primary industry or other matters relating to that industry or related industries. Industry review conference participants are to comprise such industry participants and representatives of participants in related industries as the industry council thinks fit (clause 10).
An industry council may and is, where required by the regulations, to convene conferences of the chairpersons of bodies established by other legislation with functions in relation to the relevant primary industry (clause 11).
Clause 12 provides that industry council reports are to be made public in any way the Minister thinks fit and industry council members, or their deputies, are not to make public a report that has not been made public by the Minister.
Clause 13 provides that where a member of an industry council disagrees with a finding or recommendation to be included in an industry council report, the report is to identify the member and include a summary of the member's view.
An industry council is to consist of the following part-time members: a chairperson; and prescribed persons. The regulations may provide for the nomination by prescribed industry bodies of persons for appointment to an industry council and prescribe the circumstances in which the Minister may reject a nomination (clause 14).
Clause 26 provides that an industry council may establish committees and working parties to assist it in the performance and exercise of its functions and powers. Where a working party is established, an industry council is to specify the day by which the working party is to complete its work. The completion date may be varied by an industry council.
Clause 30 provides that where a member of a committee or working party disagrees with a finding or recommendation to be included in a report, the report is to identify the member and include a summary of their view.
The regulations may allow the Minister to make orders with respect to any matter, other than prescribing a penalty, which may be prescribed. Orders will be subject to disallowance by Parliament (clause 38).
Bills Digest Service 7 June 1991
Parliamentary Research Service
For further information, if required, contact the Economics and Commerce Group on 06 2772460.
This Digest does not have any official legal status. Other sources should be consulted to determine the subsequent official status of the Bill.
Commonwealth of Australia 1991
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Published by the Department of the Parliamentary Library, 1991.