Australian Statistics Advisory Council (Member) Appointment (No. 1) 2022

Overview

The Australian Statistics Advisory Council (Member) Appointment (No. 1) 2022I is a notifiable instrument enacted in 2022 by Dr Andrew Leigh, Assistant Minister for Competition, Charities and Treasury and Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasurer, under the Australian Bureau of Statistics Act 1975. This instrument addresses the need for skilled and experienced members within the Australian Statistics Advisory Council, ensuring the provision of expert advice on statistical matters. The policy objective behind this appointment is to bolster the Council’s capacity to advise on the strategic direction of the Australian Bureau of Statistics, thereby enhancing the quality and relevance of the statistical data provided to the government and the public. This appointment of Luci Ellis to the Australian Statistics Advisory Council on a part-time basis for three years aims to fill a critical gap by bringing in a member with the requisite expertise and experience. By formalising this appointment, the government seeks to ensure that the Council remains robust and capable of delivering insightful and practical advice to support the ongoing development and improvement of Australia’s statistical system.

Scope and Application

The Australian Statistics Advisory Council (Member) Appointment (No. 1) 2022 applies specifically to the appointment of an individual, in this case, Luci Ellis, to the Australian Statistics Advisory Council. The appointment is made under subsection 19(2) of the Australian Bureau of Statistics Act 1975 and is on a part-time basis, with the term lasting for three years from the date the instrument is registered on the Federal Register of Legislation. This notifiable instrument has a direct application to a person, specifically an individual being appointed to a statutory role within the Commonwealth, thereby impacting the advisory functions of the Australian Statistics Advisory Council. The legislation is geographically and jurisdictionally limited to the Commonwealth of Australia and does not extend to state or territory levels. There are no stated exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds within the instrument itself, but any further regulations or operational guidelines may be subject to the broader provisions of the Australian Bureau of Statistics Act 1975. The application and scope of this appointment may also be influenced by any subordinate instruments or administrative decisions made under the authority of the Act.

Key Provisions

The Australian Statistics Advisory Council (Member) Appointment (No. 1) 2022 instrument, issued under subsection 19(2) of the Australian Bureau of Statistics Act 1975, appoints Luci Ellis as a part-time member of the Australian Statistics Advisory Council for a term of three years. This appointment commences on the day after the instrument is registered on the Federal Register of Legislation. The instrument specifies that the role of the Advisory Council member will involve providing expert advice and guidance on statistical matters to the Australian Bureau of Statistics and its activities. The Australian Bureau of Statistics Act 1975 governs the operation of the Australian Statistics Advisory Council, including the appointment of its members. The Act sets out the framework for the establishment and functioning of the Council, which is tasked with providing advice to the Australian Bureau of Statistics on its statistical activities, including the collection, analysis, and dissemination of statistical information. Members of the Council are expected to bring expertise in areas relevant to the work of the Bureau, such as economics, statistics, and data analysis. In accordance with the requirements of the Australian Bureau of Statistics Act 1975, the appointment of Luci Ellis as a member of the Advisory Council imposes certain obligations on her, including a duty to provide objective, expert advice to the Bureau on statistical matters, and to act in the best interests of the public. The Act also requires members of the Council to maintain confidentiality in relation to information that comes to them in their capacity as members, and to avoid conflicts of interest in their work. Failure to comply with the requirements of the Australian Bureau of Statistics Act 1975, or to uphold the duties and obligations of membership of the Australian Statistics Advisory Council, may result in civil or criminal penalties, including fines and imprisonment. The maximum penalties for breaches of the Act depend on the nature and severity of the breach, and are set out in the Act itself. The Act also provides for the possibility of disciplinary action being taken against members of the Council who fail to meet their obligations or who engage in misconduct.