Australian Capital Territory
Civil Law (Wrongs) Professional Standards Council Appointment 2015 (No 1)
Disallowable instrument DI2015–42
made under the  
Civil Law (Wrongs) Act 2002, s 4.38, schedule 4 (Membership of council) 
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 Professional Standards Councils will be comprised of one member nominated by each of the States and Territories and the Commonwealth, with the exception of NSW and Victoria, which will nominate two.

New South Wales has appointed Mr Robert Beaton as a member from 7 October 2014 to 30 June 2017. 

Queensland has appointed Ms Julie Cameron as a member from 16 July 2014 to 30 June 2017.  

The instrument appoints Mr Beaton and Ms Cameron as members of the Professional Standards Council from the day after notification and ending on 30 June 2017.  This appointment ensures that New South Wales and Queensland are represented on the ACT Council.

The Minister is satisfied that Mr Beaton and Ms Cameron have the experience, skills and qualifications to enable them to make a contribution to the work of the ACT Council.

Mr Beaton and Ms Cameron are not public servants as defined under the Legislation Act 2001. As required by the Legislation Act, the Standing Committee on Justice and Community Safety has been consulted on the appointment. The Committee has provided no comment on the appointment.