Australian Bureau of Statistics (Australian Statistics Advisory Council Members) Appointment (No. 1) 2024

Overview

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (Australian Statistics Advisory Council Members) Appointment (No. 1) 2024I, enacted on 28 February 2024, addresses the need to fill vacancies on the Australian Statistics Advisory Council, which plays a crucial role in advising on the quality, relevance, and accessibility of the Australian Bureau of Statistics' outputs. This notifiable instrument was issued by Dr Andrew Leigh, the Assistant Minister for Competition, Charities and Treasury, under subsection 19(2) of the Australian Bureau of Statistics Act 1975. The policy objective behind this appointment is to ensure the council has the necessary expertise and diversity to provide effective guidance on statistical matters, thereby enhancing the integrity and utility of official statistics in Australia. The appointments of Paul Donegan, Michael Andrews, and Sarah Hunter are intended to contribute to the council's work, each serving a three-year term on a part-time basis beginning from the day the instrument is registered on the Federal Register of Legislation.

Scope and Application

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (Australian Statistics Advisory Council Members) Appointment (No. 1) 2024I, executed under the authority of Andrew Leigh, Assistant Minister for Competition, Charities and Treasury, pursuant to subsection 19(2) of the Australian Bureau of Statistics Act 1975, designates Paul Donegan, Michael Andrews, and Sarah Hunter as part-time members of the Australian Statistics Advisory Council for a three-year term commencing the day following the registration of this instrument on the Federal Register of Legislation. This appointment pertains specifically to individuals selected to offer expertise and guidance to the Australian Bureau of Statistics in the formulation and execution of its statistical programs and policies. The jurisdictional reach of this legislation is confined to the Commonwealth level, thereby affecting entities and individuals within the federal framework of Australia. There are no stated exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds explicitly mentioned within the text of the notifiable instrument, indicating a broad application to the designated members and their roles within the Advisory Council. The Australian Bureau of Statistics Act 1975 may extend or further define the scope and responsibilities of these appointments through subordinate instruments, although such extensions or restrictions are not detailed in this specific notifiable instrument.

Key Provisions

The key operative sections of the legislation (F2024N00198) involve the appointment of three individuals to the Australian Statistics Advisory Council (ASAC) under the Australian Bureau of Statistics Act 1975 (s.19(2)). Specifically, section 1 of the instrument appoints Paul Donegan, Michael Andrews, and Sarah Hunter as part-time members of the ASAC for a term of three years, starting from the day after the instrument is registered on the Federal Register of Legislation. These appointments are made by Andrew Leigh, the Assistant Minister for Competition, Charities and Treasury, who is exercising his authority under the existing Act. The Act imposes certain obligations on the appointed members. As members of the ASAC, Paul Donegan, Michael Andrews, and Sarah Hunter are expected to provide advice and recommendations to the Australian Bureau of Statistics on statistical matters. They are to act in a manner that upholds the integrity and independence of the statistical system, ensuring that the statistical outputs are of the highest quality and meet the needs of users across various sectors. The part-time nature of their roles means they will likely need to balance these responsibilities with other professional commitments. Breaching the obligations set out in the Act can lead to various consequences. While the specific civil or criminal penalties for non-compliance are not detailed within the instrument itself, any failure to adhere to the expectations and duties of the ASAC could potentially lead to disciplinary actions under the Australian Bureau of Statistics Act 1975. This might include removal from their positions if their conduct is deemed unsatisfactory or detrimental to the work of the ASAC. Additionally, if their actions were to violate other statutory provisions or common law principles, they could face legal action resulting in fines or other penalties as determined by a court. The precise penalties would depend on the nature and severity of the breach.