Australian Institute of Marine Science

No. 19 of 1970

An Act to provide for the Establishment of an Australian Institute of Marine Science.

[Assented to 17 June 1970]

BE it enacted by the Queen’s Most Excellent Majesty, the Senate, and the House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Australia, as follows:—

Short title.

1. This Act may be cited as the Australian Institute of Marine Science Act 1970.

Commencement.

2. This Act shall come into operation on the day on which it receives the Royal Assent.

Definitions.

3. In this Act, unless the contrary intention appears—

“the Council” means the Council of the Institute;

“the Institute” means the Australian Institute of Marine Science provided for by this Act;

“the Interim Council” means the Interim Council for the Institute.

Establishment of Institute.

4.—(1.) There shall be an institute to be known as the Australian Institute of Marine Science.

(2.) The seat of the Institute shall be at or in the vicinity of Townsville in the State of Queensland.

(3.) The Institute shall be governed by a Council, to be constituted as provided by the Parliament after the Minister has received recommendations of the Interim Council with respect to the constitution of the Council.

(4.) On and after a date to be fixed by Proclamation, being a date after persons to constitute the Council have been appointed, the Institute—

(a) shall be a body corporate under the name “Australian Institute of Marine Science”;

(b) shall have a seal;

(c) shall have power to acquire, hold and dispose of real and personal property; and

(d) may sue and be sued in its corporate name.

Functions of Institute.

5. The Institute shall have such functions and powers in relation to marine science, and matters associated with marine science, as the Parliament provides after the Minister has received recommendations of the Interim Council with respect to those functions and powers.

Interim Council.

6.—(1.) The Minister shall appoint an Interim Council for the Institute, consisting of such persons as the Minister thinks fit.

(2.) A member of the Interim Council holds office during the pleasure of the Minister, and the Interim Council shall cease to exist when the first members of the Council are appointed.

(3.) The Minister may appoint one of the members of the Interim Council to be the Chairman of the Interim Council.

(4.) Meetings of the Interim Council may be convened by the Chairman.

(5.) Members of the Interim Council shall be paid such fees and allowances as the Minister determines.

Functions of Interim Council.

7.—(1.) The functions of the Interim Council are to make recommendations to the Minister with respect to matters related to the establishment of the Institute, including recommendations with respect to—

(a) the functions and powers of the Institute;

(b) the constitution of the Council;

(c) the site of the seat of the Institute; and

(d) co-operation of the Institute with the University that is to be known as the James Cook University of North Queensland,

and to furnish to the Minister estimates of the capital and recurrent costs of the Institute.

(2.) In making recommendations with respect to the functions of the Institute, the Interim Council shall give consideration to the need for information and research in relation to the biological and physical aspects of marine science, with particular reference to information and research concerning the effects of exploration for, or exploitation of, oil and other minerals, and of fishing operations, on or in the vicinity of the Great Barrier Reef.

(3.) The Interim Council may make such inquiries, and confer with such persons and authorities, as it thinks necessary for the purpose of performing its functions.