Australian Capital Territory

Surveyors (Commissioner for Surveys) Appointment 2005 (No. 1)
Disallowable Instrument DI2005-42

EXPLANATORY STATEMENT

This disallowable instrument appoints a Commissioner for Surveys (the commissioner) pursuant to the Surveyors Act 2001 (the Act).

Section 5 of the Act establishes the position of the commissioner.  Subsection 7(1) of the Act provides for the Minister to appoint a commissioner. Section 8 requires that a commissioner must not be appointed for a term of more than five years.

This disallowable instrument appoints a commissioner for a period of three years. 

Section 6 of the Act provides the commissioner with the following principal functions:

(a)	to develop standards for the practice of surveying;
(b)	to consult with entities on major policy issues affecting the practice of surveying;
(c)	to enter into arrangements with authorities outside Australia (other than New Zealand) for the reciprocal recognition of surveying qualifications and eligibility to practise;
(d)	to liaise and enter into arrangements with any entity concerned with surveyors and the practice of surveying for the purpose of improving or reviewing standards for the practice of surveying, the qualifications and professional development of surveyors and the functions of the commissioner under the Act;
(e)	to exercise any function given to the commissioner under the Act or any other Territory law.

Section 9 of the Act requires that to be eligible to be appointed as commissioner, a person must be, or be eligible to be, registered as a surveyor under the Act. 

Subsection 7(2) of the Act provides that division 19.3.3 of the Legislation Act 2001 applies to the appointment of the commissioner.  Consequently, in accordance with section 228 of the Legislation Act 2001 the appointment was referred to the Legislative Assembly Standing Committee on Planning and Environment for comment.  The Committee advised that it endorsed the appointment on 2 March 2005.