Australian Capital Territory
Official Visitor (Disability Services) Appointment 2017 (No 1)
Disallowable instrument DI2017–16
made under the
Official Visitor Act 2012, section 10 (1) (c) (Appointment)
EXPLANATORY STATEMENT

Section 10 (1 )(c) of the Official Visitor Act 2012 (the OV Act) authorises the Minister to appoint at least one official visitor for the purposes of the Disability Services Act 1991. Official visitors work in youth and adult corrections, mental health, disability and homelessness services to protect the rights of vulnerable service users.

This instrument appoints Ms Susan Salthouse as official visitor for the Disability Services Act 1991. The Minister for Disability, Children and Youth recommended Ms Salthouse’s appointment. Ms Salthouse has extensive experience and skills in the care of people with disabilities. She has lived experience of disability and she is a leader in the disability community, as a representative on the ACT Disability Expert Panel.  
As required under subsection 10 (2) of the OV Act, the Minister for Justice and Consumers Affairs has consulted with the Minister for Disability, Children and Youth and is satisfied on reasonable grounds that Ms Salthouse has suitable qualifications and experience to exercise the functions of official visitor for the purposes of the Disability Services Act 1991.
Ms Salthouse is not excluded from appointment by being a public employee or holding a relevant interest as defined under section 10 (3) of the OV Act. 
The Standing Committee on Legal Affairs has been consulted on the appointment and has advised that it has no comments on the appointment of Ms Salthouse as an official visitor.