Australian Statistics Advisory Council (Member) Appointment (No. 1) 2021

Overview

The Australian Statistics Advisory Council (Member) Appointment (No. 1) 2021I, enacted on 3 May 2021, serves to appoint Mick Butler as a part-time member of the Australian Statistics Advisory Council for a duration of three years. This notifiable instrument was introduced by Michael Sukkar, the Assistant Treasurer and Minister for Housing, Minister for Homelessness, Social and Community Housing, in accordance with subsection 19(2) of the Australian Bureau of Statistics Act 1975. The legislation aims to fill a vacancy within the Australian Statistics Advisory Council, thereby ensuring the council is appropriately constituted to provide advice on statistical matters and contribute to the enhancement of the Australian Bureau of Statistics' operations. The policy objective is to maintain the integrity and effectiveness of statistical services in Australia by having qualified and experienced individuals contribute to the council’s work.

Scope and Application

The Australian Statistics Advisory Council (Member) Appointment (No. 1) 2021I is a notifiable instrument under the Australian Bureau of Statistics Act 1975. This instrument specifically appoints Mick Butler as a member of the Australian Statistics Advisory Council on a part-time basis for a period of three years. The instrument is executed by Michael Sukkar, who holds the positions of Assistant Treasurer, Minister for Housing, and Minister for Homelessness, Social and Community Housing. The appointment falls within the scope of subsection 19(2) of the Australian Bureau of Statistics Act 1975, which governs the membership of the Advisory Council. The Act applies to individuals who are appointed to the Council, thereby affecting the composition and advisory capacity of this entity, which in turn influences the statistical operations and policies within Australia. The jurisdictional reach of this Act is national, as it is a Commonwealth Act, and it applies to the entirety of Australia. There are no stated exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds in this particular instrument; however, the broader legislation may contain such provisions. The application of the Act can be extended or restricted through subordinate instruments, which may detail specific conditions or further define the roles and responsibilities of Advisory Council members.

Key Provisions

The Australian Statistics Advisory Council (Member) Appointment (No. 1) 2021I, dated 3 May 2021, appoints Mick Butler as a member of the Australian Statistics Advisory Council on a part-time basis for a period of three years. This appointment is made under subsection 19(2) of the Australian Bureau of Statistics Act 1975, which provides the legal basis for the formation of the Advisory Council and its members. The instrument specifies that the appointment will commence from the date of signing and will last for the designated three-year term. Under the Australian Bureau of Statistics Act 1975, the Advisory Council is tasked with providing advice to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) on a range of matters, including the scope and content of statistical programs, the methods used in collecting and analysing data, and the dissemination of statistical information. As a member, Mick Butler is expected to contribute to these advisory functions, drawing on his expertise and experience to help ensure that the ABS's activities are aligned with national statistical needs and standards. The appointment of Mick Butler as a member of the Australian Statistics Advisory Council imposes certain obligations on him. He must dedicate his part-time efforts to fulfilling the responsibilities of the role, which include attending meetings, participating in discussions, and providing informed advice on statistical matters. Furthermore, he is expected to act with integrity and impartiality, ensuring that his advice is based on objective analysis and sound professional judgment. There are no specific offences, penalties, or consequences outlined in the appointment instrument itself for breaches of the obligations associated with being a member of the Advisory Council. However, any failure to comply with the general duties of members of statutory bodies, such as acting in good faith and for the purposes for which the Advisory Council was established, could potentially give rise to legal consequences under common law or other statutory provisions. These may include actions for breach of statutory duty or, in extreme cases, disciplinary action or removal from office.