SCHEDULE 2 - Biosecurity Advisory Committee

Section 267

PART 1 - Preliminary

1.    Interpretation

In this Schedule –

member means a member of the Biosecurity Advisory Committee.

PART 2 - Membership

1.    Term of office

A member is appointed for such period, not exceeding 3 years, as is specified in the member's instrument of appointment and, if eligible, may be reappointed for a single further period, not exceeding 3 years, as is specified in the member's instrument of reappointment.

2.    Remuneration and conditions of appointment

(1) A member is entitled to be paid such remuneration and allowances as the Minister may determine.

(2) A member who is a State Service employee or State Service officer is not entitled to remuneration or allowances under this clause except with the approval of the Minister administering the State Service Act 2000 .

(3) A member holds office on such terms and conditions in relation to matters not provided for by this Act as are specified in the member's instrument of appointment.

3.    Vacation of office

(1) A member vacates office if he or she –

(a) dies; or

(b) resigns by written notice given to the Minister; or

(c) is removed from office under subclause (2) or (3) .

(2) The Minister may remove a member from office if the member –

(a) is absent from 3 consecutive meetings of the Biosecurity Advisory Committee without the permission of the other members of the Biosecurity Advisory Committee; or

(b) becomes bankrupt, applies to take the benefit of any law for the relief of bankrupt or insolvent debtors, compounds with the member's creditors or makes an assignment of the member's remuneration or estate for their benefit; or

(c) is convicted of an offence under this Act or an Act in another jurisdiction that relates to biosecurity.

(3) The Minister may remove a member from office if satisfied that the member is unable to perform adequately or competently the duties of office.

(4) A member of the Biosecurity Advisory Committee must not be removed from office other than in accordance with this clause.

4.    Filling of vacancies

If the office of a member becomes vacant, the Minister may appoint a person to the vacant office for the remainder of that member's term of office.

PART 3 - Meetings

1.    Presiding at meetings

(1) The Chair of the Biosecurity Advisory Committee is to preside at all meetings of the Biosecurity Advisory Committee at which he or she is present.

(2) If the Chair is not present at a meeting of the Biosecurity Advisory Committee, a member elected by the members present at the meeting is to preside.

2.    Quorum and voting at meetings

(1) Six members constitute a quorum at a meeting of the Biosecurity Advisory Committee.

(2) A meeting of the Biosecurity Advisory Committee at which a quorum is present is competent to transact any business of the Biosecurity Advisory Committee.

(3) The person presiding at a meeting of the Biosecurity Advisory Committee has a deliberative vote only.

3.    General procedure of meetings

Subject to this Act and the instrument that establishes the Biosecurity Advisory Committee, the Biosecurity Advisory Committee may determine its own practices, procedures and proceedings.

4.    Expert advice

Subject to this Act and the instrument that establishes the Biosecurity Advisory Committee, the Biosecurity Advisory Committee may –

(a) advise itself on any relevant matter in any way it thinks fit; and

(b) seek expert advice from any person or body that is relevant to the matter to which the advice relates.