Australian Capital Territory
Explanatory Statement
Health Professionals Psychologists Board Appointment 2010 (No 1)

Disallowable instrument DI2010—69
made under the
Health Professionals Regulation 2004 Section 5 (Board president) and Section 10 (Board members – election or appointment) and Legislation Act 2001 section 229
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The Board is established under Section 4 of the Health Professionals Regulation 2004 and comprises the President appointed by the Minister in accordance with the Health Professionals Regulation 2004, Section 5 and six other members (two of whom are community representatives) appointed by the Minister in accordance with the Health Professionals Regulation 2004, Section 10 and two elected members.  Section 7.5 of Schedule 7 to the Health Professionals Regulation 2004 specifies the Board membership.

The Act protects the public from risk of harm by ensuring that the people who provide health services regulated by the Act are competent to provide health services, and for other purposes.  

A person is not eligible for appointment as president or as a psychologist member unless the person is a registered psychologist in the ACT.  The person also needs to have been registered for a continuous period of at least three years immediately before the day of the appointment.  Mr White and Mr Gallas both satisfy these requirements.

These appointments are made to fill a vacancy created by the resignation of Vanessa Hamilton (president) and a subsequent vacancy created by a member (Ross White) being appointed to fill the president’s position.

This instrument makes appointments to which the Legislation Act 2001, division 19.3.3 applies.  Accordingly, the instrument is a disallowable instrument (see Legislation Act 2001, s 229) and applies to Ross White (psychologist) and Geoffrey Gallas (psychologist), neither of whom are ACT public servants.

Other members of the Board currently serving are Raelene Farrell, Pam Connor (both elected), Wendy Preston, Vickie de Prazer and Cristian Torres (all appointed) and Ebenezer Banful and Margaret Wolf (both appointed community representatives).

Consultation with the Standing Committee on Health, Community and Social Services has taken place in accordance with the Legislation Act 2001.