2015

THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY FOR THE AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY

CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE AMENDMENT BILL 2015 

EXPLANATORY STATEMENT

Presented by
Mick Gentleman MLA
Minister for Children and Young People

Introduction
This Explanatory Statement relates to the Children and Young People Amendment Bill 2015 as presented in the Legislative Assembly. It has been prepared in order to assist the reader of the Bill and to help inform debate on it. It does not form part of the Bill and has not been endorsed by the Legislative Assembly.

The Statement must be read in conjunction with the Bill. It is not, and is not meant to be, a comprehensive description of the Bill. What is said about a provision is not to be taken as an authoritative guide to the meaning of a provision, this being a task for the courts.
Outline

The purpose of this Bill is to make amendments to the Children and Young People Act 2008 (the Act) that will increase the efficiency of the Children and Young People Death Review Committee (the Committee). The proposed amendments relate to administrative matters and will have little direct impact on the core work of the Committee.
Amendments

Clause 1	Name of the Act 
This is a technical clause and sets out the name of the new Act as the Children and Young People Amendment Act 2015 (No 1).

Clause 2 	Commencement 
This clause enables the new Act to commence the day after its notification on the ACT Legislation Register.

Clause 3 	Legislation amended 
This clause identifies the Act to be amended as the Children and Young People Act 2008.

Clause 4 	Appointment of committee members Section 727D(2)
This clause sets out the experience and expertise requirements for Committee member appointees. 

Clause 5	New section 727EA
This clause allows for the appointment of a deputy chair from within the members appointed under 727D.

Clause 6 	Meetings Section 727J(2)
This clause removes the requirement to provide 14 days written notice of meetings.

Clause 7 	Section 727K
This clause allows for the deputy chair to preside at a meeting from which the chair is absent.

Clause 8	Quorum at meetings Section 727L

This clause allows for business to be carried out if at least ½ of the members (other than the presiding member) are present.

Clause 9	Voting at meetings Section 727M

This clause replaces chair with presiding member in relation to voting on questions to be decided by the Committee.