2010-2011-2012-2013 

 

The Parliament of the 

Commonwealth of Australia 

 

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

 

 

 

 

Presented and read a first time 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Public Interest Media Advocate Bill 2013 

 

No.      , 2013 

 

(Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy) 

 

 

 

A Bill for an Act relating to the Public Interest 

Media Advocate, and for related purposes 

   

   

   

 

 

i       Public Interest Media Advocate Bill 2013       No.      , 2013  

Contents 

Part 1--Preliminary

 

1

 

1 

Short title ........................................................................................... 1

 

2 

Commencement ................................................................................. 2

 

3 

Simplified outline .............................................................................. 2

 

4 

Definitions ......................................................................................... 3

 

5 

Extension to external Territories ........................................................ 3

 

Part 2--Public Interest Media Advocate

 

4

 

Division 1--Establishment and functions

 

4

 

6 

Public Interest Media Advocate ......................................................... 4

 

7 

Functions of the PIMA ...................................................................... 4

 

Division 2--Appointment

 

5

 

8 

Appointment of PIMA ....................................................................... 5

 

9 

Period of appointment ........................................................................ 5

 

10 

Acting PIMA ..................................................................................... 6

 

Division 3--Terms and conditions

 

7

 

11 

Remuneration ..................................................................................... 7

 

12 

Disclosure of interests to the Minister ............................................... 7

 

13 

Outside employment .......................................................................... 7

 

14 

Leave of absence ................................................................................ 7

 

15 

Resignation ........................................................................................ 7

 

16 

Termination of appointment .............................................................. 8

 

17 

Other terms and conditions ................................................................ 8

 

Part 3--Miscellaneous

 

9

 

18 

Assistance to the PIMA ..................................................................... 9

 

19 

PIMA may hold hearings ................................................................... 9

 

20 

Disclosure of information by the PIMA .......................................... 10

 

21 

PIMA not subject to direction by the Minister ................................ 11

 

22 

Annual report ................................................................................... 11

 

23 

Regulations ...................................................................................... 12

 

 

 

 

Public Interest Media Advocate Bill 2013       No.      , 2013       1 

A Bill for an Act relating to the Public Interest 

1 

Media Advocate, and for related purposes 

2 

The Parliament of Australia enacts: 

3 

Part 1--Preliminary 

4 

   

5 

1  Short title 

6 

 

  This Act may be cited as the Public Interest Media Advocate Act 

7 

2013. 

8 

   

Part 1  Preliminary 

   

 

Section 2 

 

2            Public Interest Media Advocate Bill 2013       No.      , 2013 

2  Commencement 

1 

 

(1)  Each provision of this Act specified in column 1 of the table 

2 

commences, or is taken to have commenced, in accordance with 

3 

column 2 of the table. Any other statement in column 2 has effect 

4 

according to its terms. 

5 

 

6 

Commencement information 

Column 1 

Column 2 

Column 3 

Provision(s) 

Commencement 

Date/Details 

1.  Sections 1 and 

2 and anything in 

this Act not 

elsewhere covered 

by this table 

The day this Act receives the Royal Assent. 

 

2.  Sections 3 to 

23 

A single day to be fixed by Proclamation. 

However, if the provision(s) do not 

commence within the period of 6 months 

beginning on the day this Act receives the 

Royal Assent, they commence on the day 

after the end of that period. 

 

Note:  

This table relates only to the provisions of this Act as originally 

7 

enacted. It will not be amended to deal with any later amendments of 

8 

this Act. 

9 

 

(2)  Any information in column 3 of the table is not part of this Act. 

10 

Information may be inserted in this column, or information in it 

11 

may be edited, in any published version of this Act. 

12 

3  Simplified outline 

13 

 

  The following is a simplified outline of this Act: 

14 

•  

There is to be a Public Interest Media Advocate. 

15 

•  

The Public Interest Media Advocate has functions under: 

16 

 

(a) 

the Broadcasting Services Act 1992; and 

17 

   

Preliminary  Part 1 

   

 

Section 4 

 

Public Interest Media Advocate Bill 2013       No.      , 2013            3 

 

(b) 

the News Media (Self-regulation) Act 2013. 

1 

4  Definitions 

2 

In this Act: 

3 

ACCC means the Australian Competition and Consumer 

4 

Commission. 

5 

ACMA means the Australian Communications and Media 

6 

Authority. 

7 

PIMA means the Public Interest Media Advocate. 

8 

5  Extension to external Territories 

9 

 

  This Act extends to every external Territory. 

10 

   

Part 2  Public Interest Media Advocate 

Division 1  Establishment and functions 

 

Section 6 

 

4            Public Interest Media Advocate Bill 2013       No.      , 2013 

Part 2--Public Interest Media Advocate 

1 

Division 1--Establishment and functions 

2 

6  Public Interest Media Advocate 

3 

 

  There is to be a Public Interest Media Advocate. 

4 

Note: 

In this Act, PIMA means the Public Interest Media Advocate: see 

5 

section 4. 

6 

7  Functions of the PIMA 

7 

 

  The PIMA has the following functions: 

8 

 

(a)  such functions as are conferred on the PIMA by: 

9 

 

(i)  the Broadcasting Services Act 1992; or 

10 

 

(ii)  the News Media (Self-regulation) Act 2013; 

11 

 

(b)  to do anything incidental to or conducive to the performance 

12 

of those functions. 

13 

   

Public Interest Media Advocate  Part 2 

Appointment  Division 2 

 

Section 8 

 

Public Interest Media Advocate Bill 2013       No.      , 2013            5 

Division 2--Appointment 

1 

8  Appointment of PIMA 

2 

 

(1)  The PIMA is to be appointed by the Minister by written 

3 

instrument. 

4 

Note: 

The PIMA is eligible for reappointment: see the Acts Interpretation 

5 

Act 1901. 

6 

 

(2)  A person is not eligible for appointment as the PIMA unless the 

7 

Minister is satisfied that the person has: 

8 

 

(a)  substantial experience or knowledge; and 

9 

 

(b)  significant standing; 

10 

in at least one of the following fields: 

11 

 

(c)  the media industry; 

12 

 

(d)  law; 

13 

 

(e)  business or financial management; 

14 

 

(f)  public administration; 

15 

 

(g)  economics. 

16 

 

(3)  Before appointing a person as the PIMA, the Minister must 

17 

consult: 

18 

 

(a)  the ACMA; and 

19 

 

(b)  the ACCC; and 

20 

 

(c)  such media industry bodies as the Minister considers 

21 

appropriate. 

22 

 

(4)  Subsection (3) does not, by implication, prevent the Minister from 

23 

consulting other bodies and persons. 

24 

 

(5)  The PIMA holds office on a part-time basis. 

25 

9  Period of appointment 

26 

 

  The PIMA holds office for the period specified in the instrument of 

27 

appointment. The period must not exceed 5 years. 

28 

Note: 

For reappointment, see the Acts Interpretation Act 1901. 

29 

   

Part 2  Public Interest Media Advocate 

Division 2  Appointment 

 

Section 10 

 

6            Public Interest Media Advocate Bill 2013       No.      , 2013 

10  Acting PIMA 

1 

 

(1)  The Minister may appoint a person to act as the PIMA: 

2 

 

(a)  during a vacancy in the office of the PIMA (whether or not 

3 

an appointment has previously been made to the office); or 

4 

 

(b)  during any period, or during all periods, when the PIMA: 

5 

 

(i)  is absent from duty or Australia; or 

6 

 

(ii)  is, for any reason, unable to perform the duties of the 

7 

office. 

8 

Eligibility 

9 

 

(2)  A person is not eligible for appointment to act as the PIMA unless 

10 

the person is eligible for appointment as the PIMA. 

11 

Note 1: 

See subsection 8(2). 

12 

Note 2: 

For rules that apply to acting appointments, see sections 33AB and 

13 

33A of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901. 

14 

   

Public Interest Media Advocate  Part 2 

Terms and conditions  Division 3 

 

Section 11 

 

Public Interest Media Advocate Bill 2013       No.      , 2013            7 

Division 3--Terms and conditions 

1 

11  Remuneration 

2 

 

(1)  The PIMA is to be paid the remuneration that is determined by the 

3 

Remuneration Tribunal. If no determination of that remuneration 

4 

by the Tribunal is in operation, the PIMA is to be paid the 

5 

remuneration that is prescribed by the regulations. 

6 

 

(2)  The PIMA is to be paid the allowances that are prescribed by the 

7 

regulations. 

8 

 

(3)  This section has effect subject to the Remuneration Tribunal Act 

9 

1973. 

10 

12  Disclosure of interests to the Minister 

11 

 

  The PIMA must give written notice to the Minister of all interests, 

12 

pecuniary or otherwise, that the PIMA has or acquires and that 

13 

conflict or could conflict with the proper performance of his or her 

14 

functions. 

15 

13  Outside employment 

16 

 

  The PIMA must not engage in any paid employment that conflicts 

17 

or may conflict with the proper performance of his or her duties. 

18 

14  Leave of absence 

19 

 

  The Minister may grant leave of absence to the PIMA on the terms 

20 

and conditions that the Minister determines. 

21 

15  Resignation 

22 

 

(1)  The PIMA may resign his or her appointment by giving the 

23 

Minister a written resignation. 

24 

 

(2)  The resignation takes effect on the day it is received by the 

25 

Minister or, if a later day is specified in the resignation, on that 

26 

later day. 

27 

   

Part 2  Public Interest Media Advocate 

Division 3  Terms and conditions 

 

Section 16 

 

8            Public Interest Media Advocate Bill 2013       No.      , 2013 

16  Termination of appointment 

1 

 

(1)  The Minister may terminate the appointment of the PIMA: 

2 

 

(a)  for misbehaviour; or 

3 

 

(b)  if the PIMA is unable to perform the duties of his or her 

4 

office because of physical or mental incapacity. 

5 

 

(2)  The Minister may terminate the appointment of the PIMA if: 

6 

 

(a)  the PIMA: 

7 

 

(i)  becomes bankrupt; or 

8 

 

(ii)  applies to take the benefit of any law for the relief of 

9 

bankrupt or insolvent debtors; or 

10 

 

(iii)  compounds with his or her creditors; or 

11 

 

(iv)  makes an assignment of his or her remuneration for the 

12 

benefit of his or her creditors; or 

13 

 

(b)  the PIMA engages in paid employment that conflicts or may 

14 

conflict with the proper performance of his or her duties (see 

15 

section 13); or 

16 

 

(c)  the PIMA fails, without reasonable excuse, to comply with 

17 

section 12. 

18 

17  Other terms and conditions 

19 

 

  The PIMA holds office on the terms and conditions (if any) in 

20 

relation to matters not covered by this Act that are determined by 

21 

the Minister. 

22 

   

Miscellaneous  Part 3 

   

 

Section 18 

 

Public Interest Media Advocate Bill 2013       No.      , 2013            9 

Part 3--Miscellaneous 

1 

   

2 

18  Assistance to the PIMA 

3 

 

(1)  Any or all of the following: 

4 

 

(a)  the ACMA; 

5 

 

(b)  the ACCC; 

6 

 

(c)  the Department; 

7 

 

(d)  any other Department, agency or authority of the 

8 

Commonwealth; 

9 

may assist the PIMA in the performance of his or her functions. 

10 

 

(2)  The assistance may include the following: 

11 

 

(a)  the provision of information; 

12 

 

(b)  the provision of advice; 

13 

 

(c)  the making available of resources and facilities (including 

14 

secretariat services and clerical assistance). 

15 

19  PIMA may hold hearings 

16 

 

(1)  The PIMA may hold hearings for the purposes of the performance 

17 

of the PIMA's functions or the exercise of the PIMA's powers. 

18 

Proceedings for defamation do not lie 

19 

 

(2)  None of the following persons: 

20 

 

(a)  the PIMA; 

21 

 

(b)  the Commonwealth; 

22 

 

(c)  the Secretary of the Department; 

23 

 

(d)  an APS employee in the Department; 

24 

 

(e)  a person acting with the authority of the PIMA; 

25 

is liable to an action or proceeding, whether civil or criminal, in 

26 

respect of the publication of a transcript of proceedings at a hearing 

27 

held by the PIMA. 

28 

   

Part 3  Miscellaneous 

   

 

Section 20 

 

10            Public Interest Media Advocate Bill 2013       No.      , 2013 

 

(3)  A person is not liable to an action or proceeding, whether civil or 

1 

criminal, in respect of the publication, by any means, of a fair and 

2 

accurate report of proceedings at a hearing held by the PIMA. 

3 

20  Disclosure of information by the PIMA 

4 

 

(1)  For the purposes of this section, authorised disclosure information 

5 

means: 

6 

 

(a)  information that was given in confidence to the PIMA in 

7 

connection with the performance of the PIMA's functions or 

8 

the exercise of the PIMA's powers; or 

9 

 

(b)  information that was obtained by the PIMA under 

10 

section 78FA of the Broadcasting Services Act 1992. 

11 

Disclosure to persons or authorities 

12 

 

(2)  The PIMA may disclose authorised disclosure information to any 

13 

of the following persons or authorities if the PIMA is satisfied that 

14 

the information will enable or assist the person or authority to 

15 

perform any of the functions, or exercise any of the powers, of the 

16 

person or authority: 

17 

 

(a)  the ACMA; 

18 

 

(b)  the ACCC; 

19 

 

(c)  the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority; 

20 

 

(d)  the Australian Securities and Investments Commission; 

21 

 

(e)  the Secretary of the Department administered by the Minister 

22 

administering the Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Act 

23 

1975 or an APS employee in that Department whose duties 

24 

relate to that Act; 

25 

 

(f)  the Director of Public Prosecutions. 

26 

 

(3)  The PIMA may, by writing, impose conditions to be complied with 

27 

in relation to authorised disclosure information disclosed under 

28 

subsection (2). 

29 

 

(4)  An instrument made under subsection (3) that imposes conditions 

30 

relating to a particular disclosure identified in the instrument is not 

31 

a legislative instrument. 

32 

   

Miscellaneous  Part 3 

   

 

Section 21 

 

Public Interest Media Advocate Bill 2013       No.      , 2013            11 

 

(5)  Otherwise, an instrument made under subsection (3) is a legislative 

1 

instrument. 

2 

Disclosure to Minister 

3 

 

(6)  The PIMA may disclose authorised disclosure information to the 

4 

Minister if the information relates to the performance of the 

5 

PIMA's functions or the exercise of the PIMA's powers. 

6 

Disclosure to public servants for advising the Minister 

7 

 

(7)  The PIMA may disclose authorised disclosure information to any 

8 

of the following persons if the PIMA is satisfied that the 

9 

information will enable or assist the person to advise the Minister: 

10 

 

(a)  the Secretary of the Department; 

11 

 

(b)  an APS employee in the Department who is authorised, in 

12 

writing, by the Secretary of the Department for the purposes 

13 

of this subsection. 

14 

21  PIMA not subject to direction by the Minister 

15 

 

  The PIMA is not subject to direction: 

16 

 

(a)  by the Minister; or 

17 

 

(b)  by or on behalf of the Commonwealth Government; 

18 

in relation to the performance of the PIMA's functions or the 

19 

exercise of the PIMA's powers. 

20 

22  Annual report 

21 

 

  The PIMA must, as soon as practicable after the end of each 

22 

financial year, prepare and give to the Minister, for presentation to 

23 

the Parliament, a report on: 

24 

 

(a)  the PIMA's activities during that year; and 

25 

 

(b)  such other matters concerning the operation of the following 

26 

provisions during that year as the PIMA considers should be 

27 

included in the report: 

28 

 

(i)  the provisions of the News Media (Self-regulation) Act 

29 

2013; 

30 

 

(ii)  Part 5A of the Broadcasting Services Act 1992; 

31 

   

Part 3  Miscellaneous 

   

 

Section 23 

 

12            Public Interest Media Advocate Bill 2013       No.      , 2013 

 

(iii)  the remaining provisions of the Broadcasting Services 

1 

Act 1992 so far as they relate to Part 5A of that Act. 

2 

Note: 

See also section 34C of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901, which 

3 

contains extra rules about annual reports. 

4 

23  Regulations 

5 

 

  The Governor-General may make regulations prescribing matters: 

6 

 

(a)  required or permitted by this Act to be prescribed; or 

7 

 

(b)  necessary or convenient to be prescribed for carrying out or 

8 

giving effect to this Act. 

9