Commonwealth Consolidated Acts

REGIONAL FOREST AGREEMENTS ACT 2002 - SECT 11

(1)

The Minister must take all reasonable steps to ensure that, at all times, there is in existence a committee that is:

(a) known as the Forest and Wood Products Council; and
(b) established under the executive power of the Commonwealth.

Objects

(2)

The main objects of subsection (1) are as follows:

(a) the provision of a forum by which the Minister and stakeholders in the forest and wood products industry may:
(i) consult together; and
(ii) exchange advice and information; and
(iii) participate in the formulation of advice in relation to the Forest and Wood Products Action Agenda;
(b) the promotion of co-operation between different sectors of the forest and wood products industry.

Functions

(3)

The Minister must take all reasonable steps to ensure that the functions of the Council include the following:

(a) to act as a means of liaison between the Minister and stakeholders in the forest and wood products industry, and between different sectors of that industry, in matters relating to that industry;
(b) to facilitate co-operation between different sectors of the forest and wood products industry;
(c) to give advice and information to the Minister in relation to the implementation of the Forest and Wood Products Action Agenda;
(d) to carry out tasks allocated to the Council under the Forest and Wood Products Action Agenda;
(e) to do anything else conducive to the achievement of the objects mentioned in subsection (2).

(4)

The Council may perform its functions only to the extent that they are not in excess of the functions that may be conferred on the Council by virtue of any of the legislative powers of the Parliament and, in particular, may perform its functions:

(a) in relation to matters arising in the course of, or that concern:
(i) trade or commerce with other countries, or among the States; or
(ii) the activities of a corporation to which paragraph 51(xx) of the Constitution applies; or
(b) for purposes in relation to any or all of the Territories.

Meetings

(5)

The Minister:

(a) may convene a meeting of the Council at any time; and
(b) must convene a meeting of the Council on receipt of a written request from a majority of members of the Council.

(6)

The Minister must ensure that the Council meets at least twice in every calendar year.

Review by the end of 2004

(7)

During the period beginning on 1 July 2004 and ending on 31 December 2004, the Council must conduct a review of whether the Council should continue to exist and, if so, what should be the Council's functions and procedures.

(8)

In conducting a review under subsection (7), the Council must consult stakeholders in the forest and wood products industry.

(9)

The Council must:

(a) prepare a report of a review under subsection (7); and
(b) give the report to the Minister.

(10)

The Minister must cause copies of the report to be tabled in each House of the Parliament within 15 sitting days of that House after the receipt of the report.