Sophie Scamps
Mackellar · Independent · Australia
“My question is to the Prime Minister. Every year, more than 400 Australians die by suicide linked to gambling. That's more than 1,000 lives lost since the Murphy report was handed down.”
“I rise to speak about absolute legend Charlie Verco, the courageous 24-year-old Mackellar local and Newport surf club member who paddled towards the jaws of a shark to save Leah Stewart, who was being attacked at Coogee Beach on 13 June.”
“Charlie's actions reflect the very best of our community and the values that define Australia's surf lifesaving culture. On behalf of the northern beaches community and everyone across Australia, I'd like to thank Charlie for his courage, selflessness and unwavering commitment to serving others.”
“Music, film publishing and broadcasting already operate on licensed use of content at scale. The Copyright Act provides a clear and workable framework. Copyright is not the enemy of innovation; it is what allows creators to earn a living from their talent and their work.”
“This proposal is also reportedly linked to discussions with major AI tech firms about data centre investment in Australia. Investment must never come at the cost of Australian rights. The Albanese government must not sell out Australians to big tech.”
“Right now, we are at a critical crossroad for Australia's creative arts industry, one that may deeply harm this invaluable sector. At the recent AI summit in Sydney, the chair of the Tech Council of Australia, Scott Farquhar, called for copyright reform to encourage AI investment.”
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Every one of 506 lines we hold for Sophie Scamps, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 6 of 11.
“The horrific events of Bondi on 14 December marked a heartbreaking end to 2025. That day marked the worst mass shooting in Australia in 30 years. Fifteen innocent people were killed, 40 injured and thousands directly and indirectly impacted by grief and trauma—scars that will be with them for life. On behalf of everyone in Mackellar, on the northern beaches of Sydney, I send our love to the Jewish community and our neighbours in Bondi. We send our deepest condolences to everyone who is grieving. We stand with you in grief, in solidarity and in resolve, and we will not forget. A summer evening that should have been filled with joy has been forever etched in our national memory as a moment of profound shock, horror and loss.”
“My question is to the Minister for Resources. Minister, more than 80 per cent of Australia's gas is used for exports, tripling domestic gas prices and doubling electricity prices. In 2011, Santos's Gladstone LNG joint venture signed export contracts, despite not having sufficient gas reserves, forcing gas to be diverted from the domestic market. Can the minister confirm that this egregious export contract will not be extended beyond 2031 when it expires, as recommended by the ACCC?”
“Today, over 30 dedicated retirees, both male and female, devote countless hours each week to ensuring that children in need have access to toys, books, games, puzzles and more. Santa's elves have nothing on peninsula toys, who work all year round distributing thousands of restored and recycled toys to countries such as Cambodia, Papua New Guinea, Sri Lanka, Sierra Leone, Ghana ,Tonga and Fiji. They also provide toys to drought-stricken farming families through Rotary and Lions clubs, to First Nations communities in Sydney and Brewarrina and to children in hospital. I congratulate them on their 50th birthday and thank them for their dedication and commitment to bringing joy to so many.”
“For the last 50 years the Peninsula Senior Citizens Toy Repair Group in Mackellar have been bringing joy to children locally and around the world by restoring and recycling toys. Last week I thoroughly enjoyed visiting their toy workshop, which is filled to the rooftop with toys, to celebrate their 50th anniversary and to see firsthand the amazing work they do. They held a hugely successful toy drive to mark the occasion. Peninsula toys was established in 1975 with the goal of creating a local organisation that would benefit the community by providing an engaging activity for senior citizens, bringing joy to underprivileged children and contributing to toy recycling efforts, thereby reducing landfill waste.”
“For many women and children, sadly, the approaching holiday season does not bring a sense of joy and relief. It brings a heightened sense of fear and a risk of abuse. The wish of many women and children this Christmas is simply to be safe from harm and to know that, if they do reach out for help, it will be there. Quite frankly, it does not seem like much to ask.”
“These organisations include the Zonta club, the Women's Resilience Centre, Lifeline Northern Beaches, MoWaNa Safe Space and the Northern Beaches Council. Other key members, the Northern Beaches Women's Shelter and Women & Children First, are trusted specialist providers of crisis accommodation for mothers and children fleeing violence. These charitable organisations have delivered thousands of nights of safety and support to those in need, and yet on average both organisations turn away between 40 and 50 families a month due to a lack of capacity. The wait for social housing for families in New South Wales can extend to 10 years. Despite this, across the northern beaches there are only 10 government funded crisis rooms available for women and children escaping domestic violence, and none at all suitable for mothers with boys over 12.”
“This underscores the urgent need for government investment in prevention, culture change and more support and accommodation services, including in Mackellar. The recent, shocking Guardian investigation into the response of Queensland police in the deaths of three women in that state lays bare just how much work there is still to do on changing the culture around domestic and family violence in this country, especially for our frontline responders. In Mackellar, the Northern Beaches Domestic Violence Network brings together local providers and community organisations to support victims-survivors of domestic and family violence. On behalf of the northern beaches community, I extend the most enormous and heartfelt thankyou to you for your tireless care and compassion.”
“Yesterday marked the launch of the UN 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence. In Australia in 2024, a woman was killed every four days, and intimate partner violence contributes to more death and disability in women aged 25 to 44 than any other preventable cause. This is simply astounding. And these are not just numbers; they are lives cut short. The ongoing ramifications of domestic and family violence are devastating. It rips families apart, and the ripple effect on our society is endlessly damaging. In 2024 in my electorate on the northern beaches of Sydney we had the second-highest increased rate of domestic violence related assaults in New South Wales—and these are only the reported cases.”
“Allied health professionals, collectively, are the largest health workforce in primary care. They represent the second-largest clinical workforce in Australia, after nursing and midwifery. Mackellar student Courtney, who is currently on placement in Ballarat as part of her masters of dietetics, said that many allied health students feel that their ineligibility for the prac payment is a kick in the guts that some professions are more valued than others. Let's ensure that no student is forced to choose between living in their car and their education. I urge the government to develop a roadmap that lays out a pathway to add all courses that have mandatory prac components to the scheme, including allied health and medical students. If we fail to act, we not only fail these students, but the future health of our nation.”
“Another said: There is an assumption that we all live at home with parents that can afford to support us, when many of us don't. I feel that financial stress has greatly impacted by grades and health over the placements these past three years. I have considered dropping out many times … Lastly, another said: There are people who are living in their car so they can afford to be on placement. These are not isolated stories. They paint a dire picture—students facing homelessness, skipping meals and living in unsafe conditions right now. We are burning out our young people before they even start their careers. How can this be acceptable? By not supporting our allied health and medical students, we are jeopardising the development of the future health workforce Australia desperately needs.”
“The focus of our debate today is allied health, so I'm going to read out some testimonials from people who are currently studying medical radiation science, dietetics and occupational therapy—professions vital to medical diagnosis, cancer treatment and chronic disease prevention and management. One student stated: I go without food, and work outside of placement hours to afford accommodation—this cycle is exhausting and restrains my time to study whilst on placement. Another said: Being able to work and support myself during a full time 36-week placement has been virtually impossible and incredibly stressful. It has had a huge impact on my mental health. Another said: I feel extremely burnt out and exhausted and struggle to apply myself on placement academically.”
“The introduction of the Commonwealth Prac Payment scheme on 1 July this year was timely, necessary and very welcome. Supporting nurses, midwives, social workers and teachers during their compulsory placements has been widely welcomed as a positive step towards addressing acute workforce shortages in schools, hospitals and aged care. While this targeted measure aims to boost enrolments and retention in these critical sectors, it disregards comparable placement demands and workforce shortages in other disciplines. For thousands of students undertaking allied health and medical degrees, amongst other things, compulsory unpaid placements mean financial stress, emotional strain and physical exhaustion. And they are not alone; it's also impacting students in veterinary sciences, engineering and agriculture, amongst many others.”
“On top of these financial challenges, mandatory placements are forcing students into real hardship right now, because of the inability to earn an income over long periods of full-time practical training and because of the need to pay rent, sometimes on top of their usual rent. For many the choice is stark—sacrifice basic needs or jeopardise their education. Too often, young students are skipping meals, living in their cars and making the difficult choice about whether or not to give up on their dreams and drop out of their studies completely. They are being forced into vulnerable situations. This growing economic strain threatens not only student wellbeing and safety but also the sustainability of our future health workforce.”
“I too welcome the member for Indi's topic for debate today, because it truly is a matter of public importance. I really appreciate, as well, the contributions from those opposite who obviously have a really strong passion for education and further investment in education as well. But our young people are doing it tough right now, and the lack of financial support for students doing mandatory prac placements is an important aspect of this. Today's generation of students are navigating an environment of high living costs—the costs of rent, groceries, transport and utilities—and this leaves students across the country struggling to make ends meet.”
“The Queensland government must genuinely engage with Brisbane residents, with local community groups and with experts in planning, architecture, sustainability and transport. The Australian Institute of Architects has put forward a comprehensive set of recommendations for the government, highlighting risks and also offering solutions. One of their key suggestions is the creation of an Olympics design integrity panel. It's commonsense and the kind of expert oversight that we should welcome. I welcome the member for Ryan's motion, and I support her call for the Queensland government to engage openly, to listen to the experts, and genuinely involve Brisbane communities in the planning for 2032.”
“If we're serious about creating a lasting Olympic legacy, we need long-term planning across all our key sporting venues nationwide. The Sydney Academy of Sport and Recreation in Narrabeen in my electorate of Mackellar, as an example, offers immense potential to be a world class facility for team accommodation, training and competitions across a multitude of sports including athletics, swimming, rowing, basketball and even sailing. This enormous site on the outskirts of Sydney has huge potential but remains rundown and underutilised. If we get the planning right, the legacy lasts. If we don't, we risk repeating mistakes that other cities and our own city have already lived through. That's why meaningful engagement is absolutely essential.”
“Experts and designers have warned that, without strong oversight, Brisbane risks falling into the same traps other host cities have faced—poor planning, design compromises and infrastructure that creates more problems than it solves. There is a real opportunity here to invest in infrastructure that works for the games and continues serving local people well after 2032, both in Brisbane and around Australia. There's an opportunity to invest in sustainable mass transport, including zero-emissions buses and electric ferries; to create better walking and cycling links, especially for those first and last miles; to convert the athletes village into desperately needed social and affordable housing after the games; and, of course, to make sure small and medium local businesses benefit too. This isn't just about Brisbane either.”
“Barcelona did the same for 1992, investing the majority of its funds not in sport but in lasting improvements to the city, successfully integrating a mega-event into long-term urban policy and planning. This led to a sustained economic and cultural benefit for the local community. There are already concerning signs that Brisbane may be missing the opportunity not just to host a great games but to improve the city for decades. Brisbane's initial commitment to host the world's first climate positive Olympic Games has been quietly watered down already, with the phrase 'climate positive' removed from the contract and replaced with softer language.”
“Athens had little in the way of legacy planning, and many of its venues slipped almost immediately into disuse and disrepair. Even here, in Australia, Sydney's own Olympic Park offers lessons. Despite the excitement and the civic pride of the 2000 games, planning for post games was inadequate, and it was a heavily car-dependent destination from the outset. These shortcomings weren't inevitable but were the result of decisions made without deep community engagement or long-term vision. But there are positive examples too. London's planning for the 2012 games showed what's possible when you start early, listen carefully and think long term. Their games drove major regeneration; accelerated a city-wide transformation that was already underway; and engaged best-practice, environmentally sustainable development.”
“I rise in support of the motion brought on by the member for Ryan, and I thank the member for bringing this really important issue to the House. Brisbane and Australia have a huge opportunity ahead with the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic games. But with that opportunity comes a responsibility to plan well, to plan transparently and to plan with the people who will live with the outcomes and the infrastructure long after the closing ceremony. We don't have to look far to understand what happens when Olympic planning goes wrong. Images of abandoned venues around the world are haunting reminders—vast structures, built at enormous expense, now rusting and empty. In Beijing the iconic birds nest dazzled during the games but has struggled ever since and is largely unused.”
“If we want to ensure that the way we treat animals reflects modern Australian values, then this outdated and cruel practice must stop. Australians want this industry to stop, so I commend this bill to the House to end online wagering on greyhound racing.”
“The New South Wales Minister for Gaming and Racing, on reading the report, stated: This level of animal distress is appalling and can neither be condoned or excused. Last year, a new independent inquiry was undertaken to again look at greyhound racing in New South Wales. The report was handed to the racing minister early this year but is yet to be made public or acted upon. As we've heard, last year alone there were 128 recorded track deaths and a shocking 11½ thousand track injuries. Astoundingly, as the member for Clark has noted, Australia will soon be one of just four nations in the world that maintains a legal operating greyhound racing industry. The industry has had 10 years to reform itself here in New South Wales, and it has failed dismally. We've heard of other examples in Tasmania and around the country.”
“The then premier of New South Wales, Michael Baird, acted swiftly to ban the industry in New South Wales, but this was soon overturned due to political pressure to give the industry another chance to reform itself. The industry has now had 10 years to reform itself. So where do we find ourselves a decade on? Sadly, it seems, not much has changed. Last year a handover report by New South Wales former chief veterinary officer Dr Alex Brittan claimed that some dogs were being raised at a 'barbaric' intensity, that rehomed animal figures were inflated and that some dogs were locked in metal cages. In the report, Dr Brittan wrote: There are cases of extreme distress, deep claw marks gouged all over the inside of metal cages and recent pools of blood from toenails that had been ripped off from clawing at the cage door in distress.”
“I second the motion. I start by thanking the member for Clark for his tireless advocacy for animal welfare and for bringing compassion and common sense to this parliament. There is widespread support for ending greyhound racing in this country. I've heard it consistently in my own electorate of Mackellar since I was elected in 2022 and I've seen it reflected in the national polling. The greyhound racing industry is one built on animal cruelty. In 2015, following the ABC Four Corners expose about the industry, a special commission of inquiry into greyhound racing in New South Wales was undertaken. The report described overwhelming evidence of systemic animal cruelty, including the mass killing of greyhounds, the widespread practice of live baiting, racing deaths and injuries, and the mistreatment of the dogs.”
“My question is to the Minister for Health and Ageing. The Northern Beaches Hospital in Mackellar has provided both public and private services under a public-private partnership. Following the private operator Healthscope entering receivership in May this year, the announcement that public services would be transitioned to NSW Health was indeed very welcome. However, there is great uncertainty about the continuation of the world-class private services delivered there. Minister, what reassurance can you provide my community regarding ongoing access to all the private services at Northern Beaches Hospital?”
“These amendments are common sense, and I've spent years now in this place pointing out the need for a greater level of independence in major Commonwealth public appointments such as this. Having a truly independent national EPA will be a critical factor in whether we do actually turn around the decline of our nature over the next decade. Australians, business and environment groups deserve a NEPA—a National Environmental Protection Agency—they can trust, and that means it has to be established in such a way that it is truly independent. This requires both the board and the CEO to be independently appointed. I commend these amendments to the House.”
“Critically, the board would be appointed through a robust and independent selection process, a process that most people would expect to be in place for positions as important as these. The selection process would require public advertising of the board positions, assessment of applications against selection criteria, and an independent panel to conduct the interviews and shortlist three candidates for each position for the minister's final selection. The minister would also decide which board member is selected as chair. If a perception arises that a CEO is appointed because of who they know or their political proclivities rather than what they bring to the role, public trust in the integrity of the institution will be undermined.”
“My amendments to the National Environmental Protection Agency Bill 2025 are simple and are in line with what the environmental community and integrity organisations have been calling for. My amendments create an independent board to sit above NEPA, as is common with many other organisations. This board would oversee the functions of NEPA and, importantly, select the CEO. The board's functions would include appointing the CEO, determining policies and long-term strategic plans for the CEO, advising the CEO, and assessing and reporting on the CEO's performance. The board would have up to seven members, each with substantial experience and knowledge and significant standing in an area relevant to NEPA's functions. At least one board member must be an Indigenous person.”
“(34) Clause 61, page 34 (line 5), before "the CEO", insert "the Board and". If we are serious about reversing the destruction of our nature and providing certainty for business then we must ensure that the National Environment Protection Agency, NEPA, is trusted by business, the community and civil society. To achieve that, it must be a truly independent arbiter and built on a foundation of transparency. NEPA will not be truly independent if the CEO is appointed by the minister of the day and if there is no independently selected board. Australians are watching the decline of our nature and wildlife with growing alarm and heartbreak. They expect their government to respond with credible action to reverse this decline.”
“(2) However, the Board must not delegate a function or power under subsection (1) to a person unless the person: (a) is an SES employee or acting SES employee; or (b) holds, or is acting in, a position that is equivalent to a position occupied by an SES employee; or (c) holds, or is acting in, an Executive Level 1 or 2, or equivalent, position. Note: The expressions SES employee and acting SES employee are defined in section 2B of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901 . (3) In performing a delegated function or exercising a delegated power, the delegate must comply with any written directions of the Board. (31) Clause 60, page 32 (line 26), omit "CEO", substitute "Board". (32) Clause 61, page 33 (line 12), omit "the CEO and NEPA have", substitute "NEPA has". (33) Clause 61, page 33 (line 29), after "given to", insert "the Board and".”
“(30) Page 32 (after line 24), after clause 59, insert: 59A Delegation by the Board (1) The Board may, in writing, delegate any of the Board's functions or powers (other than a function or power in Part 5) to: (a) a member of the staff referred to in section 53 or (b) a person whose services are made available to NEPA under section 54; or (c) an individual engaged, or an individual employed or engaged by a person engaged, under section 23 of the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 by the Board under a written agreement to assist in, or advise in relation to, the performance of the Board's functions. Note: Sections 34AA to 34A of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901 contain provisions relating to delegations.”
“(24) Clause 49, page 26 (line 5), omit "Minister", substitute "Board". (25) Clause 50, page 26 (line 10), omit "Minister's", substitute "Board's". (26) Clause 51, page 26 (line 13), omit "Governor-General", substitute "Board". (27) Clause 51, page 26 (line 15), omit "Governor-General", substitute "Board". (28) Clause 52, page 26 (line 18), omit "Governor-General", substitute "Board". (29) Clause 52, page 27 (line 3), omit "Minister's", substitute "Board's".”
“(2A) A person must not be appointed as the CEO under this section unless: (a) the selection of the person for the appointment is the result of a process that includes: (i) public advertising of the selection criteria for the position for at least 10 consecutive days; and (ii) shortlisting of at least 3 persons for the appointment that are certified, in writing, by the Board to meet all of the selection criteria; and (b) the person is one of the shortlisted candidates. (2B) Within 7 days after a person is appointed as the CEO, the Board must cause a copy of the written certification for the person (referred to in subparagraph (2A)(a)(iii)) to be published on NEPA's website. (22) Clause 46, page 25 (line 4), omit "Minister", substitute "Board". (23) Clause 47, page 25 (line 19), omit "Minister", substitute "Board".”
“(21) Clause 45, page 24 (lines 3 to 25), omit subclauses (1) and (2), substitute: Appointment by the Board (1) The CEO is to be appointed by the Board by written instrument. Qualifications for appointment (2) A person must not be appointed as the CEO unless the Board is satisfied that: (a) the person has substantial experience or knowledge, and significant standing, in one or more of the following: (i) environmental regulation; (ii) conservation of biodiversity; (iii) ecological sustainable development; (iv) any other field prescribed by the rules; and (b) the person does not have any interests, pecuniary or otherwise, that conflict or could conflict with the proper performance of the CEO's functions.”
“(3) For the purposes of paragraph (1)(a), a Board member is not entitled to vote on a proposed decision if the member would not have been entitled to vote on that proposal if the matter had been considered at a meeting of the Board. (4) The Board must keep a record of decisions made in accordance with this section. (18) Clause 14, page 9 (line 22), at the end of the clause, add: Note: The CEO's discretion is subject to the policies, plans, determinations, advice and recommendations of the Board: see section 11B. (19) Clause 15, page 10 (line 5), omit "the CEO and". (20) Clause 16, page 11 (lines 7 and 8), omit subclause (2), substitute: (2) A statement of expectations cannot direct the Board or the CEO in the performance or exercise of their functions or powers.”
“11T Decisions without meetings (1) The Board is taken to have made a decision at a meeting if: (a) without meeting, a majority of the Board members entitled to vote on the proposed decision indicate agreement with the decision; and (b) that agreement is indicated in accordance with the method determined by the Board under subsection (2); and (c) all the Board members were informed of the proposed decision, or reasonable efforts were made to inform all the Board members of the proposed decision. (2) Subsection (1) applies only if the Board: (a) has determined that it may make decisions of that kind without meeting; and (b) has determined the method by which Board members are to indicate agreement with proposed decisions.”
“(3) If neither the Chair nor the Deputy Chair is present at a meeting of the Board, the other Board members present must appoint one of themselves to preside. 11Q Voting at meetings (1) A question arising at a meeting of the Board is to be determined by a majority of the votes of the Board members present and voting. (2) The person presiding at the meeting of the Board has a deliberative vote and, if the votes are equal, a casting vote. 11R Minutes The Board must keep minutes of its meetings. 11S Conduct of meetings The Board may, subject to this Subdivision, regulate proceedings at its meetings as it considers appropriate. Note: Section 33B of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901 contains further information about the ways in which Board members may participate in meetings.”
“(2) However, if: (a) a Board member is required by rules made for the purposes of section 29 of the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 not to be present during the deliberations, or to take part in any decision, of the Board with respect to a particular matter; and (b) when the Board member leaves the meeting concerned there is no longer a quorum present; the remaining Board members constitute a quorum for the purposes of any deliberation or decision at that meeting with respect to that matter. 11P Presiding at meetings (1) The Chair must preside at all meetings of the Board at which the Chair is present. (2) If the Chair is not present at a meeting of the Board, the Deputy Chair, if present, must preside at the meeting.”
“(2) The Chair: (a) may convene a meeting at any time; and (b) must convene at least 4 meetings each calendar year; and (c) must convene a meeting within 30 days after receiving a written request to do so from: (i) a majority of the Board members; or (ii) the Minister. 11N Quorum (1) At a meeting of the Board, a quorum is constituted by a majority of the Board members.”
“Note: The appointment of a Board member may also be terminated under section 30 of the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 (which deals with terminating the appointment of an accountable authority, or a member of an accountable authority, for contravening general duties of officials). 11L Other terms and conditions A Board member holds office on the terms and conditions (if any) in relation to matters not covered by this Act that are determined by the Minister. Subdivision C — Procedures of the Board 11M Convening meetings (1) The Board must hold such meetings as are necessary for the efficient performance of its functions.”
“11K Termination (1) The Minister may terminate the appointment of a Board member: (a) for misconduct; or (b) if the member is unable to perform the duties of the member's office because of physical or mental incapacity. (2) The Minister must terminate the appointment of a Board member if: (a) the member: (i) becomes bankrupt; or (ii) applies to take the benefit of any law for the relief of bankrupt or insolvent debtors; or (iii) compounds with the member's creditors; or (iv) makes an assignment of the member's remuneration for the benefit of the member's creditors; or (b) the member is absent, except on leave of absence, from 3 consecutive meetings of the Board.”
“11H Leave (1) The Minister may grant the Chair leave of absence on the terms and conditions that the Minister determines. (2) The Chair may grant leave of absence to any other Board member on the terms and conditions that the Chair determines. (3) The Chair must notify the Minister if the Chair grants a Board member leave of absence for a period that exceeds 6 months. 11J Resignation (1) A Board member may resign the member's appointment by giving the Minister a written resignation. (2) The resignation takes effect on the day it is received by the Minister or, if a later day is specified in the resignation, on that later day.”
“11G Remuneration (1) A Board member is to be paid the remuneration that is determined by the Remuneration Tribunal. If no determination of that remuneration by the Tribunal is in operation, the member is to be paid the remuneration that is prescribed by the rules. (2) A Board member is to be paid the allowances that are prescribed by the rules. (3) Subsections 7(9) and (13) of the Remuneration Tribunal Act 1973 do not apply in relation to the office of a Board member. Note: The effect of this subsection is that remuneration or allowances of a Board member will be paid out of money appropriated by an Act other than the Remuneration Tribunal Act 1973 . (4) This section has effect subject to the Remuneration Tribunal Act 1973 (except as provided by subsection (3)).”
“(3) The Minister may, by written instrument, appoint a person to act as a Board member (other than the Chair or the Deputy Chair): (a) during a vacancy in the office of a Board member (whether or not an appointment has previously been made to the office); or (b) during any period, or during all periods, when a Board member: (i) is acting as the Deputy Chair; or (ii) is absent from duty; or (iii) is, for any reason, unable to perform the duties of the office. Qualifications etc. of acting Board members (4) Subsections 11D(2) to (4) apply to an appointment under subsection (3) of this section in the same way as they apply to an appointment under section 11D. Note: For rules that apply to acting appointments, see sections 33AB and 33A of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901 .”
“Acting appointments (2) The Minister may, by written instrument, appoint a Board member to act as the Deputy Chair: (a) during a vacancy in the office of Deputy Chair (whether or not an appointment has previously been made to the office); or (b) during any period, or during all periods, when the Deputy Chair: (i) is acting as the Chair; or (ii) is absent from duty; or (iii) is, for any reason, unable to perform the duties of the office.”
“Note: A Board member may be reappointed: see section 33AA of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901 . (2) However, the period of appointment for 4 of the first set of Board members must not exceed 3 years. Note: This ensures staggered appointments. (3) A Board member holds office on a part-time basis. 11F Acting appointments Acting by operation of law (1) The Deputy Chair is to act as the Chair: (a) during a vacancy in the office of Chair (whether or not an appointment has previously been made to the office); or (b) during any period, or during all periods, when the Chair: (i) is absent from duty; or (ii) is, for any reason, unable to perform the duties of the office.”
“(4) Within 7 days after a person is appointed as a Board member, the Minister must cause a copy of the written certification for the person (referred to in subparagraph (3)(a)(iii)) to be: (a) tabled in each House of the Parliament; or (b) if a House is not sitting—presented to the Presiding Officer of that House for circulation to the members of that House. (5) The Minister must, by written instrument, appoint: (a) one of the Board members to be the Chair; and (b) another of the Board members to be the Deputy Chair. (6) An appointment of the person as the Chair or Deputy Chair ceases if the person's appointment as a Board member ceases. 11E Term of appointment (1) A Board member holds office for the period specified in the instrument of appointment. The period must not exceed 6 years.”
“(3) A person must not be appointed as a Board member under this section unless: (a) the selection of the person for the appointment is the result of a process that includes: (i) public advertising of the selection criteria for the position for at least 10 consecutive days; and (ii) assessment of applications against the selection criteria by an independent panel consisting of at least 3 members and chaired by a former judge; and (iii) shortlisting of at least 3 persons for the appointment that are certified, in writing, by the panel to meet all of the selection criteria; and (b) the person is one of the shortlisted candidates.”
“(2) A person must not be appointed as a Board member unless the Minister is satisfied that: (a) the person has substantial experience or knowledge, and significant standing, in one or more of the following: (i) environmental regulation; (ii) conservation of biodiversity; (iii) ecological sustainable development; (iv) heritage; (v) Indigenous affairs; (vi) law; (vii) natural resource management; (viii) any other field prescribed by the rules; and (b) the person does not have any interests, pecuniary or otherwise, that conflict or could conflict with the proper performance of the Board's functions; and (c) at least 1 Board member is an Indigenous person.”
“Subdivision B — Membership and appointment 11C Membership of the Board (1) The Board consists of the following members: (a) the Chair; (b) the Deputy Chair; (c) not fewer than 5, and not more than 7, other members. (2) The performance of the functions, or the exercise of the powers, of the Board is not affected by reason only of paragraph (1)(c) not being complied with for a period of not more than 6 months. 11D Appointment (1) The Board members are to be appointed by the Minister by written instrument.”