Australian Capital Territory Repealed Acts

This legislation has been repealed.

CHILDREN'S SERVICES ACT 1986 - SECT 13

(1)     For the purposes of this Act there is constituted a body to be known as the Childrens Services Council.

(2)     The council consists of—

        (aa)     the chairperson;

        (a)     the director;

        (b)     the Chief Magistrate or another magistrate nominated by the Chief Magistrate;

        (c)     the community advocate;

        (d)     a person nominated by the Minister;

        (e)     a police officer appointed by the Commissioner of Police of the Australian Federal Police;

        (g)     a court counsellor within the meaning of the Family Law Act 1975 of the Commonwealth nominated by the Principal Director of Court Counselling referred to in section 37 of that Act;

        (h)     a person nominated by the Australian Capital Territory Schools Authority; and

              (i)     such other persons as the Minister from time to time appoints.

(3)     The members of the council, other than the members referred to in paragraphs (2) (a), (b), (c) and (e), shall be appointed by the Minister.

(3A)     The Minister shall not appoint a person as chairperson unless satisfied that the person—

        (a)     has appropriate status in the community;

        (b)     has relevant experience; and

        (c)     is not a person concerned with, or a person associated with a body, authority or agency concerned with, children's welfare.

(4)     The persons referred to in paragraph (2) (i) shall be persons concerned with, or persons associated with bodies, authorities or agencies concerned with, childrens welfare.

(5)     The chairperson shall preside at all meetings at which he or she is present.

(6)     Meetings of the council shall be convened by the chairperson or, in the chairperson's absence, by the director or the community advocate.

(7)     Meetings of the council shall be so convened that a period of not more than 3 months elapses between a meeting of the council and the next meeting.

(8)     If the chairperson is unable to attend a meeting of the council, the members present shall elect 1 of their number to preside at that meeting.

(9)     Five members of the council form a quorum.

(10)     Questions arising at a meeting of the council shall be decided by the votes of a majority of the members present and voting.

(11)     If the voting is equal, the chairperson or other person presiding has a casting vote.

(12)     If a member of the council other than the chairperson is unable to attend a meeting of the council, a person nominated for the purpose by the member may attend in the member's place and shall, in respect of that meeting, be regarded as a member of the council, may vote and shall be taken into account in determining a quorum.

(13)     The proceedings and decisions of the council are not affected by reason of any failure to comply with a provision of this section.