Australian Capital Territory

Civil Law (Wrongs) Professional Standards Council Appointment 2008 (No 1)

Disallowable instrument DI 2008 – 265

EXPLANATORY STATEMENT

All States and Territories have enacted legislation which enables the establishment of a national Professional Standards Council, which is made up of individual jurisdictional councils.  The objects of the legislation are to constitute Professional Standards Councils, to enable the creation of schemes to limit the civil liability of professionals and others, to facilitate the improvement of occupational standards, and to protect consumers. 

Section 4.36 of Schedule 4 of the Civil Law (Wrongs) Act 2002 provides for the establishment of the ACT Professional Standards Council (ACT Council).  The ACT Council consists of eleven people appointed by the Minister who have the experience, skills and qualifications the Minister considers appropriate to enable them to make a contribution to the work of the ACT Council.  

All States and Territories have agreed to appoint the same eleven members to their Professional Standards Councils (the Councils).  The Councils will comprise one member nominated by each of the States and Territories and the Commonwealth, with the exception of NSW and Victoria, which will nominate two.

The appointment of Mr Justin Harper on the ACT Council expired on 30 June 2008.  The instrument re-appoints Mr Justin Harper to the ACT Council.  The appointment commences on the day after notification of this instrument and ends on 30 June 2011. 

Mr Justin Harper is not a public servant as defined under the Legislation Act 2001.

As required by the Legislation Act 2001, the Standing Committee on Legal Affairs has been consulted on the appointments.  The Committee has provided no comments on the re-appointment of this member.