2022-2023

 

The Parliament of the

Commonwealth of Australia

 

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

 

 

 

 

Presented and read a first time

 

 

 

 

Transparent and Quality Public Appointments Bill 2023

 

No.      , 2023

 

(Dr Scamps)

 

 

 

A Bill for an Act to establish a framework for transparent and quality public appointments, and to establish Independent Selection Panels and the Office of the Public Appointments Commissioner, and for related purposes

   

   

   

Contents

Part 1—Preliminary                                                                                                              1

1............ Short title............................................................................................ 1

2............ Commencement.................................................................................. 2

3............ Simplified outline of this Act............................................................. 2

4............ Interaction with other laws................................................................. 4

Part 2—Definitions                                                                                                                5

5............ Definitions.......................................................................................... 5

6............ Meaning of public appointment ......................................................... 6

7............ Meaning of significant integrity officer appointment ......................... 9

Part 3—Requirements for public appointments                                               11

8............ Public appointment invalid unless requirements met....................... 11

9............ Responsible Minister to determine selection criteria....................... 11

10.......... Responsible ISP to conduct selection process.................................. 11

11.......... Selection of individual for appointment........................................... 13

12.......... Reporting following selection process............................................. 13

13.......... Guidelines relating to public appointments...................................... 14

Part 4—Independent Selection Panels                                                                    15

Division 1—Establishment and functions                                                            15

14.......... Establishment................................................................................... 15

15.......... Functions.......................................................................................... 15

16.......... Independent Selection Panels not subject to direction..................... 15

17.......... Privileges and immunities of the Crown.......................................... 15

Division 2—Constitution and membership                                                         16

18.......... Membership...................................................................................... 16

19.......... Appointment of additional members................................................ 17

20.......... Remuneration................................................................................... 17

21.......... Disclosure of interests to Minister or Chair..................................... 18

22.......... Disclosure of interests to Independent Selection Panel.................... 18

23.......... Resignation....................................................................................... 19

24.......... Termination of appointment............................................................. 19

25.......... Other terms and conditions............................................................... 19

Division 3—Meetings of Independent Selection Panels                                 20

26.......... Holding of meetings......................................................................... 20

27.......... Presiding at meetings........................................................................ 20

28.......... Quorum............................................................................................. 20

29.......... Voting at meetings............................................................................ 20

30.......... Conduct of meetings......................................................................... 20

31.......... Minutes............................................................................................. 20

Division 4—Application of the finance law                                                         21

32.......... Application of the finance law......................................................... 21

Part 5—Office of the Public Appointments Commissioner                       22

Division 1—Establishment and functions                                                            22

33.......... Establishment................................................................................... 22

34.......... Functions and powers of the Public Appointments Commissioner. 23

35.......... Function of the Office of the Public Appointments Commissioner. 23

Division 2—Appointment etc. of Public Appointments Commissioner 24

36.......... Appointment of the Public Appointments Commissioner............... 24

37.......... Remuneration................................................................................... 24

38.......... Leave of absence.............................................................................. 25

39.......... Other paid work................................................................................ 25

40.......... Disclosure of interests...................................................................... 25

41.......... Resignation....................................................................................... 25

42.......... Termination of appointment............................................................. 26

43.......... Other terms and conditions............................................................... 26

44.......... Appointment of acting Public Appointments Commissioner........... 26

Division 3—Staff                                                                                                              28

45.......... Staff.................................................................................................. 28

46.......... Delegation by Public Appointments Commissioner to staff............ 28

Division 4—Other matters                                                                                          29

47.......... Annual report.................................................................................... 29

48.......... Privileges and immunities of the Crown.......................................... 29

49.......... Public Appointments Commissioner etc. not to be sued.................. 29

Part 6—Parliamentary Joint Committee on Appointments                      30

50.......... Parliamentary Joint Committee on Appointments........................... 30

51.......... Membership of the Committee......................................................... 30

52.......... Functions of the Committee............................................................. 31

53.......... Powers and proceedings of the Committee...................................... 31

54.......... Annual report.................................................................................... 32

Part 7—Miscellaneous                                                                                                       33

55.......... Unauthorised dealing with information............................................ 33

56.......... Review of operation of Act.............................................................. 33

57.......... Regulations....................................................................................... 33

 

 

A Bill for an Act to establish a framework for transparent and quality public appointments, and to establish Independent Selection Panels and the Office of the Public Appointments Commissioner, and for related purposes

The Parliament of Australia enacts: