Australian Bureau of Statistics (Australian Statistics Advisory Council Member) Appointment (No. 2) 2025

Overview

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (Australian Statistics Advisory Council Member) Appointment (No. 2) 2025I, enacted on 28 February 2025, is a notifiable instrument that appoints Greg Raymond as a part-time member of the Australian Statistics Advisory Council for a three-year term, beginning the day after the instrument's registration on the Federal Register of Legislation. This appointment was made under the authority vested in Assistant Minister for Competition, Charities and Treasury, Dr Andrew Leigh, by subsection 19(2) of the Australian Bureau of Statistics Act 1975. The primary purpose of this legislation is to fill a vacancy on the Australian Statistics Advisory Council, ensuring continued expert advice and guidance on the operations and strategic direction of the Australian Bureau of Statistics. The enacting body is the Australian Government, specifically through the parliamentary process, aiming to maintain robust statistical oversight and policy advice.

Scope and Application

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (Australian Statistics Advisory Council Member) Appointment (No. 2) 2025I, made under subsection 19(2) of the Australian Bureau of Statistics Act 1975, pertains specifically to the appointment of Greg Raymond as a part-time member of the Australian Statistics Advisory Council for a duration of three years, commencing on the day following the registration of this instrument on the Federal Register of Legislation. This legislation applies directly to Greg Raymond and his role within the Advisory Council, establishing his appointment and the terms of his service. The Act is jurisdictional in nature, operating under the purview of the Commonwealth of Australia, thereby encompassing individuals and entities involved in statistical advisory capacities for the Australian Bureau of Statistics. It does not explicitly outline exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds within the instrument itself but rather focuses on the procedural aspect of appointing a council member. The application of this Act might be extended or restricted through subordinate instruments, although such provisions are not detailed in the notifiable instrument itself.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of this notifiable instrument are those which concern the appointment of Greg Raymond as a member of the Australian Statistics Advisory Council (ASAC) under section 19(2) of the Australian Bureau of Statistics Act 1975. The instrument specifies that Greg Raymond is to be appointed on a part-time basis for a period of three years starting the day after this instrument is registered on the Federal Register of Legislation (sections 1 and 2). The instrument also includes the name of the person appointing Greg Raymond, Dr Andrew Leigh, who is the Assistant Minister for Competition, Charities and Treasury and the Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasurer, as well as the date of the appointment (sections 1 and 3). In terms of obligations and requirements, the Act mandates that the ASAC provide advice to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) on the quality and relevance of statistical services. Greg Raymond, as a member of the ASAC, is required to adhere to these obligations and participate in the council's activities in a manner that aligns with the statutory objectives. This includes providing expert advice on statistical matters, participating in meetings, and contributing to the council’s strategic direction and policy recommendations (section 19(3)). There are no specific offences, penalties, or civil/criminal consequences outlined in this particular notifiable instrument. However, it is worth noting that any failure to comply with the council’s advice or statutory duties could potentially lead to broader implications under the Australian Bureau of Statistics Act 1975 or other relevant legislation. Non-compliance with statutory advice from the ASAC might indirectly affect the integrity and quality of the ABS’s statistical services, which could have downstream effects on policy-making and data-driven decisions within the government and broader public sectors. The Act itself provides for enforcement actions and penalties, but these are not detailed within the scope of this specific instrument.