Australian Statistics Advisory Council (Member) Appointment (No. 2) 2022

Overview

The Australian Statistics Advisory Council (Member) Appointment (No. 2) 2022 instrument was enacted in 2022 to appoint Gayle Milnes as a part-time member of the Australian Statistics Advisory Council for a period of three years. This instrument was made by Andrew Leigh, the Assistant Minister for Competition, Charities and Treasury, under the authority of subsection 19(2) of the Australian Bureau of Statistics Act 1975. The instrument aims to address the need for expertise and experience in the field of statistics within the Australian Statistics Advisory Council, ensuring that the Council can effectively advise on matters related to the collection, analysis, and dissemination of official statistics. The enactment of this instrument by the relevant legislature, in this case, the Parliament, ensures the timely appointment of qualified members to maintain the integrity and effectiveness of the Council's operations.

Scope and Application

The Australian Statistics Advisory Council (Member) Appointment (No. 2) 2022 instrument, issued under the authority of Andrew Leigh, Assistant Minister for Competition, Charities and Treasury, appoints Gayle Milnes as a member of the Australian Statistics Advisory Council on a part-time basis for a period of three years. This appointment is made pursuant to subsection 19(2) of the Australian Bureau of Statistics Act 1975, thereby indicating that the Act applies to the appointment of members to the Advisory Council. The legislation’s jurisdictional reach is at the Commonwealth level, and it pertains specifically to the Advisory Council and its members, which are entities or individuals appointed to provide advice on statistical matters to the Australian Bureau of Statistics. The instrument does not outline any exclusions, exemptions, or specific thresholds, nor does it mention any subordinate instruments that may extend or restrict its application. This appointment is a direct application of the legislative provisions to ensure the Advisory Council has the requisite expertise and representation to effectively carry out its advisory functions.

Key Provisions

The Australian Statistics Advisory Council (Member) Appointment (No. 2) 2022 Instrument, dated 5 October 2022, appoints Gayle Milnes as a part-time member of the Australian Statistics Advisory Council for a period of three years, starting from the day after the instrument is registered on the Federal Register of Legislation (Section 1). This appointment is made under the authority of subsection 19(2) of the Australian Bureau of Statistics Act 1975 by Dr. Andrew Leigh, Assistant Minister for Competition, Charities and Treasury, who is also the Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasurer. The Australian Statistics Advisory Council, as governed by this legislation, is entrusted with providing advice to the Australian Bureau of Statistics on a range of matters concerning statistical activities. Members of the Council are expected to bring a broad range of expertise, including in statistics, economics, and relevant industry experience, to ensure that the Council can effectively advise on the quality and relevance of statistical data produced by the Bureau. Gayle Milnes, as a member, is required to contribute her expertise to these advisory functions and participate in the Council's deliberations and meetings as necessary. Under the Australian Bureau of Statistics Act 1975, the Advisory Council is obligated to provide the Bureau with advice on statistical matters, including recommendations on statistical standards, methodologies, and priorities. Members of the Council must act with integrity and in the public interest, ensuring that their advice is impartial and based on the best available evidence and expertise. Additionally, members are expected to maintain confidentiality regarding any sensitive information they encounter in the course of their duties. Failure to comply with the obligations and requirements set out in the Act could result in various consequences. While specific penalties are not detailed in this particular instrument, breaches of the Australian Bureau of Statistics Act 1975 could potentially lead to civil or criminal penalties, depending on the nature and severity of the breach. For instance, providing misleading or deceptive information could be subject to fines or other sanctions under relevant Australian legislation. Additionally, any member found to be acting in a manner inconsistent with the public interest or in breach of confidentiality could face disciplinary action, including potential termination of their appointment.