Australian Capital Territory
Official Visitor (Disability Services) 2015 Appointment (No 2)
Disallowable instrument DI2015—19
made under the
Official Visitor Act 2012, section10(1)(c)

EXPLANATORY STATEMENT

Section 10(1)(c) of the Official Visitor Act 2012 authorises the Minister to appoint at least one official visitor for the purposes of the Disability Services Act 1991.  The function of official visitors (OVs) is to work to protect human rights in different environments.  OVs operate in the ‘closed’ environments of youth and adult corrections and mental health and, as a result of changes made by the Official Visitor Act 2012, OVs now operate in the ‘open’ environments including disability and homelessness services.

This instrument appoints Susan Salthouse as OV for the purposes of the Disability Services Act 1991.  The Minister for Disability commended the reappointment of Ms Salthouse as a person who is well-qualified and not only a person who has lived experience of disability: she is a leader in the disability community as a representative on the ACT Disability Expert Panel. Ms Salthouse has extensive experience and skills in the care of people with disabilities.  
As required under subsection 10(2) of the Official Visitor Act, the appointing Minister has consulted with the operational Minister (being the Minister for Disability) and is satisfied on reasonable grounds that Ms Salthouse has suitable qualifications or experience to exercise the functions of official visitor for the purposes of the Disability Services Act 1991.
Further, Ms Salthouse is not excluded from appointment by being a public employee or holding a relevant interest as defined under subsection 10(3) of the Official Visitor Act.
In addition, Ms Salthouse is not a public servant as defined under the Legislation Act 2001.
As required by the Legislation Act, the Standing Committee on Legal Affairs has been consulted on the appointment.  The Committee has advised that it has no comments on the appointment of Ms Salthouse as OV.