Australian Capital Territory Numbered Acts

ADMINISTRATION (INTERSTATE AGREEMENTS) ACT 1997 (NO 115 OF 1997)

TABLE OF PROVISIONS

           Long Title

   PART I--INTRODUCTION

   1.      This Act may be cited as the Administration (Interstate Agreements) Act 1997.  
   3.      The object of this Act is to impose on Ministers duties to inform and consult with other Members of the Assembly in regard to interstate agreements negotiated between governments, so as to protect the freedom of the Assembly to carry out its legislative deliberations without being subjected to necessity or compulsion due to the actions of the Executive.  
   4.      In this Act—“government” means the executive of any of the States, the Territories or the Commonwealth; “interstate agreement” means any agreement, including a proposed agreement, between governments, whether negotiated at an official forum or otherwise, the implementation of which could reasonably be expected to require legislation to be passed by the Legislative Assembly; “negotiation” means a process undertaken by ministers of the Territory or other governments, or their representatives, and includes a meeting conducted by telecommunications, but does not include communications between officials which do not involve a Minister.  

   PART II--INTERSTATE AGREEMENTS--NOTIFICATION AND CONSULTATION

   6.      Where a Minister commences, or accepts an invitation to join in, negotiations for an interstate agreement, he or she shall, subject to section 10, at least 7 days (or, if that is not possible, as many days as is possible) prior to meeting with other governments, inform in writing each Member of the Legislative Assembly of—  
   7.      Where a Minister commences negotiations for an interstate agreement, he or she shall, subject to section 10, consult with—  
   9.      Where a Minister participates in a negotiation for an interstate agreement, and an agreement is reached, the Minister shall, within 7 days, inform in writing each Member of the Legislative Assembly of the terms of the interstate agreement and any commitments made on behalf of the Territory.  
   10.     Where the relevant Minister is satisfied, on reasonable grounds, that compliance with a requirement specified in paragraph 6 (a), 6 (b), 6 (c), or 6 (d), section 7, or subsection 8 (1) or 8 (2)—  
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