National Health and Hospitals Network Act 2011

No. 9, 2011

An Act relating to the National Health and Hospitals Network, and for other purposes

[Assented to 8 April 2011]

The Parliament of Australia enacts:

Part 1—Preliminary

1 Short title

This Act may be cited as the National Health and Hospitals Network Act 2011.

2 Commencement

This Act commences on 1 July 2011.

3 Object

The object of this Act is to implement the National Health and Hospitals Network, in so far as the network involves the establishment of the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care.

Note 1: The National Health and Hospitals Network Agreement provides that the National Health and Hospitals Network will be a nationally unified and locally controlled health system that will ensure future generations of Australians enjoy world class, universally accessible health care.

Note 2: The National Health and Hospitals Network Agreement provides that the National Health and Hospitals Network will have a new Performance and Accountability Framework, and the framework will include standards developed by the Commission.

Note 3: The implementation of the National Health and Hospitals Network will also involve the following:

(a) provisions establishing the Independent Hospital Pricing Authority;

(b) provisions establishing the National Performance Authority;

Note 4: It is intended that provisions to establish the Independent Hospital Pricing Authority and the National Performance Authority will be included in this Act.

4 Simplified outline

The following is a simplified outline of this Act:

• This Act sets up the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care.

• The Commission has functions relating to health care safety and quality matters.

• There is to be a Board of the Commission.

• There is to be a Chief Executive Officer of the Commission.

• Committees may be established to assist the Commission.

5 Definitions

In this Act:

Board means the Board of the Commission.

Board member means a member of the Board, and includes the Chair.

CEO means the Chief Executive Officer of the Commission.

Chair means the Chair of the Board.

clinician means an individual who provides diagnosis, or treatment, as a professional:

(a) medical practitioner; or

(b) nurse; or

(d) health practitioner not covered by paragraph (a), (b) or (c).

Commission means the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care.

health care safety and quality matter means:

(a) a matter relating to the safety of health care services; or

(b) a matter relating to the quality of health care services; or

National Health and Hospitals Network Agreement means the National Health and Hospitals Network Agreement, endorsed in Canberra on 20 April 2010 by:

(a) the Premiers of the States (other than Western Australia); and

(b) the Chief Minister of the Australian Capital Territory; and

as amended from time to time.

participating State/Territory Health Minister: if:

(a) there is in force an agreement between the Commonwealth and:

(i) a State; or

(ii) the Australian Capital Territory; or

(iii) the Northern Territory; and

(b) under the agreement, the State or Territory undertakes to make financial contributions to the Commission;

the State/Territory Health Minister of the State or Territory is a participating State/Territory Health Minister.

partner of a person means:

(a) the person’s spouse; or

(b) the person’s de facto partner (within the meaning of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901).

staff of the Commission means the staff described in section 47.

State/Territory Health Minister means:

(a) the Minister of a State;

(b) the Minister of the Australian Capital Territory; or

who is responsible, or principally responsible, for the administration of matters relating to health in the State, the Australian Capital Territory or the Northern Territory, as the case may be.

vacancy, in relation to the office of a Board member, has a meaning affected by section 6.

6 Vacancies

For the purposes of a reference in:

(a) this Act to a vacancy in the office of a Board member; or

(b) the Acts Interpretation Act 1901 to a vacancy in the membership of a body;

there are taken to be 9 offices of Board member in addition to the Chair.

7 Crown to be bound

(1) This Act binds the Crown in each of its capacities.

(2) This Act does not make the Crown liable to a pecuniary penalty or to be prosecuted for an offence.

(3) The protection in subsection (2) does not apply to an authority of the Crown.

Part 2—Commission’s establishment, functions and powers

8 Establishment of the Commission

(1) The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care is established by this section.

Note: In this Act, Commission means the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care—see section 5.

(2) The Commission:

(a) is a body corporate; and

(b) must have a seal; and

(d) may sue and be sued.

Note: The Commonwealth Authorities and Companies Act 1997 applies to the Commission. That Act deals with matters relating to Commonwealth authorities, including reporting and accountability, banking and investment, and conduct of officers.

(3) The seal of the Commission is to be kept in such custody as the Board directs, and is not to be used except as authorised by the Board.

(4) All courts, judges and persons acting judicially must:

(a) take judicial notice of the imprint of the seal of the Commission appearing on a document; and

(b) presume that the document was duly sealed.

9 Functions of the Commission

(1) The Commission has the following functions:

(a) to promote, support and encourage the implementation of arrangements, programs and initiatives relating to health care safety and quality matters;

(b) to collect, analyse, interpret and disseminate information relating to health care safety and quality matters;

(d) to publish (whether on the internet or otherwise) reports and papers relating to health care safety and quality matters;

(e) to formulate, in writing, standards relating to health care safety and quality matters;

(f) to formulate, in writing, guidelines relating to health care safety and quality matters;

(g) to formulate, in writing, indicators relating to health care safety and quality matters;

(h) to promote, support and encourage the implementation of:

(i) standards formulated under paragraph (e); and

(ii) guidelines formulated under paragraph (f);

(i) to promote, support and encourage the use of indicators formulated under paragraph (g);

(j) to monitor the implementation and impact of:

(i) standards formulated under paragraph (e); and

(ii) guidelines formulated under paragraph (f);

(k) to advise:

(i) the Minister; and

(ii) each participating State/Territory Health Minister;

about which standards formulated under paragraph (e) are suitable for implementation as national clinical standards;

(l) to formulate model national schemes that:

(i) provide for the accreditation of organisations that provide health care services; and

(ii) relate to health care safety and quality matters;

(m) to consult and co‑operate with other persons, organisations and governments on health care safety and quality matters;

(n) such functions (if any) as are specified in a written instrument given by the Minister to the Chair;

(o) to promote, support, encourage, conduct and evaluate training programs for purposes in connection with the performance of any of the Commission’s functions;

(p) to promote, support, encourage, conduct and evaluate research for purposes in connection with the performance of any of the Commission’s functions;

(q) to do anything incidental to or conducive to the performance of any of the above functions.

Note 1: See also section 57 (compliance with standards and guidelines is voluntary).

Note 2: Sections 10 and 11 impose consultation requirements on the Commission.

(2) Before making an instrument under paragraph (1)(n), the Minister must consult each participating State/Territory Health Minister.

Legislative instruments

(3) A standard formulated under paragraph (1)(e) is not a legislative instrument.

(4) Guidelines formulated under paragraph (1)(f) are not a legislative instrument.

(5) An indicator formulated under paragraph (1)(g) is not a legislative instrument.

(6) A model national scheme formulated under paragraph (1)(l) is not a legislative instrument.

(7) An instrument made under paragraph (1)(n) is not a legislative instrument.

10 Additional provisions about standards, guidelines and indicators

Scope

(1) This section applies to the following:

(a) standards formulated by the Commission under paragraph 9(1)(e);

(b) guidelines formulated by the Commission under paragraph 9(1)(f);

Consultation

(2) Before formulating standards, guidelines or indicators, the Commission must consult:

(a) clinicians; and

(b) bodies known as lead clinician groups; and

(i) a State; or

(ii) the Australian Capital Territory; or

(iii) the Northern Territory;

where the Department:

(iv) deals with matters relating to health; and

(v) is administered by a participating State/Territory Health Minister; and

(d) any other persons or bodies who, in the Commission’s opinion, are stakeholders in relation to the formulation of the standards, guidelines or indicators; and

(da) carers; and

(db) consumers; and

(e) the public.

(3) If the Commission is of the opinion that:

(a) there is an urgent need to formulate particular standards, guidelines or indicators; and

(b) because of that urgent need, it is not reasonably practicable to comply with subsection (2) in relation to the formulation of those standards, guidelines or indicators;

the Commission is not required to comply with subsection (2) in relation to the formulation of those standards, guidelines or indicators.

Application or adoption of other instruments etc.

(4) Standards, guidelines or indicators may apply, adopt or incorporate, with or without modification, any matter contained in any other instrument or writing, as existing:

(a) at a particular time; or

(b) from time to time.

Information

(5) Before formulating standards, guidelines or indicators, the Commission must collect, analyse and interpret such information as the Commission considers relevant.

Rules to be complied with by Commission

(6) The Minister may, by legislative instrument, make rules to be complied with by the Commission in formulating standards, guidelines or indicators.

(7) Before making rules under subsection (6), the Minister must consult each participating State/Territory Health Minister.

(8) The Commission must comply with rules in force under subsection (6).

11 Additional provisions about model national accreditation schemes

Scope

(1) This section applies to a model national accreditation scheme formulated by the Commission under paragraph 9(1)(l).

Consultation

(2) Before formulating a scheme, the Commission must consult:

(a) each head (however described) of a Department of State of:

(i) a State; or

(ii) the Australian Capital Territory; or

(iii) the Northern Territory;

where the Department:

(iv) deals with matters relating to health; and

(v) is administered by a participating State/Territory Health Minister; and

(b) persons or bodies who, in the Commission’s opinion, are stakeholders in relation to the formulation of the scheme; and

(ba) carers; and

(bb) consumers; and

Rules to be complied with by Commission

(3) The Minister may, by legislative instrument, make rules to be complied with by the Commission in formulating a scheme.

(4) Before making rules under subsection (3), the Minister must consult each participating State/Territory Health Minister.

(5) The Commission must comply with rules in force under subsection (3).

12 Constitutional limits

The Commission may perform its functions only:

(a) for purposes related to:

(i) the provision of pharmaceutical, sickness or hospital benefits; or

(ii) the provision of medical or dental services; or

(b) for purposes related to the granting of financial assistance to a State on such terms and conditions as the Parliament thinks fit; or

(d) for purposes related to statistics; or

(e) in, or for purposes related to, a Territory; or

(f) in or with respect to a Commonwealth place (within the meaning of the Commonwealth Places (Application of Laws) Act 1970); or

(g) for purposes related to trade and commerce:

(i) between Australia and places outside Australia; or

(ii) among the States; or

(iii) within a Territory, between a State and a Territory or between 2 Territories; or

(h) for purposes related to a corporation to which paragraph 51(xx) of the Constitution applies; or

(i) by way of the use of a postal, telegraphic, telephonic or other like service within the meaning of paragraph 51(v) of the Constitution; or

(j) by way of the provision of a service to:

(i) the Commonwealth; or

(ii) an authority of the Commonwealth;

for a purpose of the Commonwealth; or

(k) for purposes related to matters that are peculiarly adapted to the government of a nation and that cannot otherwise be carried on for the benefit of the nation; or

(l) for purposes related to matters incidental to the execution of any of the legislative powers of the Parliament or the executive power of the Commonwealth.

13 Powers of the Commission

The Commission has power to do all things necessary or convenient to be done for or in connection with the performance of its functions.

14 Charging of fees

Fees

(1) The Commission may charge fees for things done in performing its functions, so long as rules are in force under subsection (2).

Rules to be complied with by Commission

(2) The Minister may, by legislative instrument, make rules to be complied with by the Commission in charging fees under subsection (1).

(3) Before making rules under subsection (2), the Minister must consult each participating State/Territory Health Minister.

(4) The Commission must comply with rules in force under subsection (2).

15 Commission has privileges and immunities of the Crown

The Commission has the privileges and immunities of the Crown in right of the Commonwealth.

16 Ministerial directions

(1) The Minister may give directions to the Commission in relation to the performance of its functions and the exercise of its powers.

(2) A direction under subsection (1) must be of a general nature only.

(3) Before making a direction under subsection (1), the Minister must consult each participating State/Territory Health Minister.

(4) The Commission must comply with a direction under subsection (1).

Part 3—The Board of the Commission

Division 1—Establishment and role of the Board

17 Establishment

The Board of the Commission is established by this section.

Note: In this Act, Board means the Board of the Commission—see section 5.

18 Role

(1) The Board is responsible for ensuring the proper and efficient performance of the Commission’s functions.

(2) The Board has power to do all things necessary and convenient to be done for or in connection with the performance of its duties.

(3) Anything done in the name of, or on behalf of, the Commission by the Board, or with the authority of the Board, is taken to have been done by the Commission.

(4) If a function or power of the Commission is dependent on the opinion, belief or state of mind of the Commission in relation to a matter, the function or power may be exercised upon the opinion, belief or state of mind of a person or body acting as mentioned in subsection (3) in relation to that matter.

Division 2—Members of the Board

19 Membership

The Board consists of the following members:

(a) the Chair of the Board;

(b) not fewer than 7, and not more than 9, other members.

Note: In this Act, Chair means the Chair of the Board and Board member means a member of the Board (including the Chair)—see section 5.

20 Appointment of Board members

(1) The Board members are to be appointed by the Minister.

(2) The appointments are to be made by written instrument.

(3) A person is not eligible for appointment as a Board member unless the Minister is satisfied that the person has:

(a) substantial experience or knowledge; and

(b) significant standing;

in at least one of the following fields:

(d) provision of professional health care services;

(e) management of companies, or other organisations, that are involved in the provision of health care services outside the hospital system;

(f) general management of public hospitals;

(g) general management of private hospitals;

(ga) primary health care services;

(gb) management of general practice;

(h) financial management;

(i) corporate governance;

(j) improvement of safety and quality;

(k) representation of the interests of consumers;

(l) law;

(m) a field that is specified in a legislative instrument made by the Minister.

(4) The Minister must ensure that the Board members collectively possess an appropriate balance of experience and knowledge in each of the fields covered by subsection (3).

(5) A Board member is to be appointed on a part‑time basis.

(6) Before:

(a) appointing a Board member under subsection (1); or

(b) making an instrument under paragraph (3)(m);

the Minister must consult each participating State/Territory Health Minister.

21 Period of appointment for Board members

A Board member holds office for the period specified in the instrument of appointment. The period must not exceed 5 years.

Note: For re‑appointment, see the Acts Interpretation Act 1901.

22 Acting Board members

Acting Chair

(1) The Minister may appoint a person to act as the Chair:

(a) during a vacancy in the office of the 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 Australia; or

(ii) is, for any reason, unable to perform the duties of the office.

Acting Board member (other than Chair)

(2) The Minister may appoint a person to act as a Board member (other than the Chair):

(a) during a vacancy in the office of a Board member (other than the Chair), 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 (other than the Chair):

(i) is absent from duty or Australia; or

(ii) is, for any reason, unable to perform the duties of the office.

(3) An appointment under subsection (1) or (2) is to be made by written instrument.

Eligibility

(4) A person is not eligible for appointment to act as:

(a) the Chair; or

(b) a Board member (other than the Chair);

unless the person is eligible for appointment as a Board member.

Note: For qualifications of Board members, see subsection 20(3).

Validation

(5) Anything done by or in relation to a person purporting to act under an appointment is not invalid merely because:

(a) the occasion for the appointment had not arisen; or

(b) there was a defect or irregularity in connection with the appointment; or

(d) the occasion to act had not arisen or had ceased.

Note: See sections 20 and 33A of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901.

23 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, a Board member is to be paid the remuneration that is prescribed by the regulations.

(2) A Board member is to be paid the allowances that are prescribed by the regulations.

(3) This section has effect subject to the Remuneration Tribunal Act 1973.

24 Leave of absence

(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 to a Board member leave of absence for a period exceeding 6 months.

25 Resignation

(1) A Board member may resign his or her 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.

26 Termination of appointment

(1) The Minister may terminate the appointment of a Board member for misbehaviour or physical or mental incapacity.

(2) The Minister must terminate the appointment of a Board member if:

(a) the Board 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 his or her creditors; or

(iv) makes an assignment of his or her remuneration for the benefit of his or her creditors; or

(b) the Board member is absent, except on leave of absence, from 3 consecutive meetings of the Board; or

(c) the Board member fails, without reasonable excuse, to comply with an obligation imposed on him or her by section 27F or 27J of the Commonwealth Authorities and Companies Act 1997.

(3) Before terminating the appointment of a Board member under subsection (1), the Minister must consult each participating State/Territory Health Minister.

27 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.

Division 3—Procedures of the Board

28 Convening of meetings

(1) The Chair must convene 3 meetings of the Board in each calendar year.

(2) The Chair may convene such additional meetings (if any) as are, in his or her opinion, necessary for the conduct of the Commission’s affairs.

(3) The Chair must convene a meeting of the Board if directed to do so by the Minister.

29 Presiding at meetings

(1) The Chair must preside at all meetings of the Board at which he or she is present.

(2) If the Chair is not present at a meeting, the Board members present must elect one of their number to preside at the meeting.

30 Quorum

At a meeting of the Board, a quorum is constituted by:

(a) if the total number of Board members is 8 or 9—5 Board members; or

(b) if the total number of Board members is 10—6 Board members.

31 Voting at meetings

(1) At a meeting of the Board, a question is decided by a majority of the votes of Board members present and voting.

(2) The Board member presiding at the meeting has:

(a) a deliberative vote; and

(b) in the event of an equality of votes, a casting vote.

32 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) does not apply unless 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) For the purposes of paragraph (1)(a), a Board member is not entitled to vote on a proposed decision if the Board member would not have been entitled to vote on that proposal if the matter had been considered at a meeting of the Board.

33 Conduct of meetings

Subject to this Act and the Commonwealth Authorities and Companies Act 1997, the Board may regulate the conduct of its meetings as it thinks fit.

Note: Section 33B of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901 contains further information about the ways in which Board members may participate in meetings.

34 Minutes

The Board must keep minutes of its meetings.

Division 4—Delegation by the Board

35 Delegation by the Board

(1) The Board may, by writing, delegate any or all of its functions and powers to:

(a) a Board member; or

(b) the CEO; or

(i) a member of the staff of the Commission; and

(ii) an SES employee or acting SES employee.

Note: The expressions SES employee and acting SES employee are defined in the Acts Interpretation Act 1901.

(2) A delegate must comply with any written directions of the Board.

Part 4—Chief Executive Officer, staff and consultants

Division 1—Chief Executive Officer of the Commission

36 Establishment

There is to be a Chief Executive Officer of the Commission.

Note: In this Act, CEO means the Chief Executive Officer of the Commission—see section 5.

37 Role

(1) The CEO is responsible for the day‑to‑day administration of the Commission.

(2) The CEO has power to do all things necessary or convenient to be done for or in connection with the performance of his or her duties.

(3) The CEO is to act in accordance with the policies determined, and any directions given, by the Board.

38 Appointment

(1) The CEO is to be appointed:

(a) in the case of the first appointment made under this subsection—by the Minister; or

(b) otherwise—by the Board.

(2) If the appointment is covered by paragraph (1)(a), then before the Minister makes the appointment, the Minister must consult each participating State/Territory Health Minister.

(3) If the appointment is covered by paragraph (1)(b), then before the Board makes the appointment:

(a) the Board must consult the Minister; and

(b) the Minister must consult each participating State/Territory Health Minister.

(4) The appointment is to be made by written instrument.

(5) The CEO holds office on a full‑time basis.

(6) The CEO holds office for the period specified in the instrument of appointment. The period must not exceed 5 years.

Note: For re‑appointment, see the Acts Interpretation Act 1901.

(7) The CEO must not be a Board member.

39 Acting appointments

(1) The Board may appoint a person to act as the CEO:

(a) during a vacancy in the office of the CEO (whether or not an appointment has previously been made to the office); or

(b) during any period, or during all periods, when the CEO:

(i) is absent from duty or from Australia; or

(ii) is, for any reason, unable to perform the duties of the office.

(2) An appointment under subsection (1) is to be made by written instrument.

(3) Anything done by or in relation to a person purporting to act under an appointment under subsection (1) is not invalid merely because:

(a) the occasion for the appointment had not arisen; or

(b) there was a defect or irregularity in connection with the appointment; or

(d) the occasion to act had not arisen or had ceased.

Note: For more about acting appointments, see sections 20 and 33A of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901.

40 Outside employment

(1) The CEO must not engage in paid employment outside the duties of his or her office without the Chair’s approval.

(2) The Chair must notify the Minister of any approval given under subsection (1).

41 Remuneration

(1) The CEO 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 CEO is to be paid the remuneration that is prescribed by the regulations.

(2) The CEO is to be paid the allowances that are prescribed by the regulations.

(3) This section has effect subject to the Remuneration Tribunal Act 1973.

42 Leave

(1) The CEO has the recreation leave entitlements that are determined by the Remuneration Tribunal.

(2) The Chair may grant the CEO leave of absence, other than recreation leave, on the terms and conditions as to remuneration or otherwise that the Chair determines.

(3) The Chair must notify the Minister if the Chair grants the CEO leave of absence for a period exceeding 2 months.

43 Disclosure of interests

The CEO must give written notice to the Board of all material personal interests that the CEO has or acquires and that conflict or could conflict with the proper performance of the CEO’s duties.

44 Resignation

(1) The CEO may resign his or her appointment by giving the Chair a written resignation.

(2) The resignation takes effect on the day it is received by the Chair or, if a later day is specified in the resignation, on that later day.

(3) If the CEO resigns under this section, the Chair must notify the Minister of the resignation.

45 Termination of appointment

(1) The Board may terminate the appointment of the CEO for misbehaviour or physical or mental incapacity.

(2) The Board may terminate the appointment of the CEO if the Board is satisfied that the CEO’s performance has been unsatisfactory.

(3) Before the Board terminates the appointment of the CEO under subsection (1) or (2):

(a) the Board must consult the Minister; and

(b) the Minister must consult each participating State/Territory Health Minister.

(4) The Board must terminate the appointment of the CEO if:

(a) the CEO:

(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 his or her creditors; or

(iv) makes an assignment of his or her remuneration for the benefit of his or her creditors; or

(b) the CEO is absent, except on leave of absence, for 14 consecutive days or for 28 days in any 12 months; or

(d) the CEO engages, except with the Chair’s approval, in paid employment outside the duties of his or her office (see section 40).

(5) If the Board terminates the appointment of the CEO, the Board must notify:

(a) the Minister; and

(b) each participating State/Territory Health Minister;

of the termination.

46 Other terms and conditions

The CEO holds office on the terms and conditions (if any) in relation to matters not covered by this Act that are determined by the Board.

Division 2—Staff and consultants

47 Staff

(1) The staff of the Commission are to be persons engaged under the Public Service Act 1999.

(2) For the purposes of the Public Service Act 1999:

(a) the CEO and the staff of the Commission together constitute a Statutory Agency; and

(b) the CEO is the Head of that Statutory Agency.

48 Persons assisting the Commission

The Commission may also be assisted:

(a) by officers and employees of Agencies (within the meaning of the Public Service Act 1999); or

(b) by officers and employees of authorities of the Commonwealth; or

(d) by officers and employees of authorities of a State or Territory;

whose services are made available to the Commission in connection with the performance of any of its functions.

49 Consultants

The Commission may engage consultants to assist in the performance of its functions.

Part 5—Committees

50 Committees

(1) The Commission may establish committees to advise or assist it in the performance of its functions.

(2) A committee may be constituted:

(a) wholly by Board members; or

(b) wholly by persons who are not Board members; or

(3) The Commission may determine, in relation to a committee established under this section:

(a) the committee’s terms of reference; and

(b) the terms and conditions of appointment of the members of the committee; and

51 Remuneration and allowances

Scope

(1) This section applies if a committee is established under section 50.

Remuneration and allowances

(2) A committee 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 regulations.

(3) However, a committee member is not entitled to be paid remuneration if he or she holds an office or appointment, or is otherwise employed, on a full‑time basis in the service or employment of:

(a) a State; or

(b) a corporation (a public statutory corporation) that:

(i) is established for a public purpose by a law of a State; and

(ii) is not a tertiary education institution; or

(c) a company limited by guarantee, where the interests and rights of the members in or in relation to the company are beneficially owned by a State; or

(d) a company in which all the stock or shares are beneficially owned by a State or by a public statutory corporation.

Note: A similar rule applies to a committee member who has a similar relationship with the Commonwealth or a Territory. See subsection 7(11) of the Remuneration Tribunal Act 1973.

(4) A committee member is to be paid the allowances that are prescribed by the regulations.

(5) This section (other than subsection (3)) has effect subject to the Remuneration Tribunal Act 1973.

Part 6—Reporting and planning obligations of the Commission

52 Minister may require the Commission to prepare reports or give information

Reports

(1) The Minister may, by written notice given to the Commission, require the Commission to:

(a) prepare a report about one or more specified matters relating to the performance of the Commission’s functions; and

(b) give copies of the report to the Minister within the period specified in the notice.

Information

(2) The Minister may, by written notice given to the Commission, require the Commission to:

(a) prepare a document setting out specified information relating to the performance of the Commission’s functions; and

(b) give copies of the document to the Minister within the period specified in the notice.

Compliance

(3) The Commission must comply with a requirement under subsection (1) or (2).

Publication of reports and documents

(4) The Minister may cause to be published (whether on the internet or otherwise):

(a) a report under subsection (1); or

(b) a document under subsection (2).

Reports and documents

(5) A report under subsection (1) is not a legislative instrument.

(6) A document under subsection (2) is not a legislative instrument.

53 Annual report

The Commission must include in each report on the Commission under section 9 of the Commonwealth Authorities and Companies Act 1997 for a financial year:

(a) an assessment of the performance of each of the Commission’s functions during the financial year; and

(b) an assessment of the impact of the performance of each of the Commission’s functions during the financial year; and

(i) the safety of health care services provided during the financial year; and

(ii) the quality of health care services provided during the financial year.

54 Work plan

Work plan

(1) The Commission must prepare a work plan during each financial year and give it to the Minister.

(2) The work plan must set out the Commission’s priorities for work to be undertaken during the next 3 financial years.

(3) As soon as practicable after receiving a work plan under subsection (1), the Minister must give a copy of the work plan to each participating State/Territory Health Minister.

Consultation on draft work plan

(4) Before preparing a work plan under subsection (1) during a financial year, the Commission must:

(a) prepare a draft of the work plan and give it to the Minister; and

(b) do so during the period that starts at the beginning of the financial year and ends:

(i) at the end of 31 October in the financial year; or

(ii) if another day in the financial year is specified in a written instrument made by the Minister—at the end of that other day.

(5) As soon as practicable after receiving a draft work plan under subsection (4), the Minister must:

(a) give a copy of the draft work plan to each participating State/Territory Health Minister; and

(b) invite each participating State/Territory Health Minister to make a written submission to the Commission about the draft work plan within:

(i) 90 days after the invitation is given; or

(ii) if another period is specified in the invitation—that other period.

(6) In preparing a work plan under subsection (1), the Commission must have regard to any submissions made by participating State/Territory Health Ministers under paragraph (5)(b) in relation to the draft of the work plan.

Legislative instrument

(7) An instrument under subparagraph (4)(b)(ii) is not a legislative instrument.

Part 7—Miscellaneous

55 CEO not subject to direction by the Board on certain matters

To avoid doubt, the CEO is not subject to direction by the Board in relation to the CEO’s performance of functions, or exercise of powers, under the Public Service Act 1999, in relation to the Commission.

56 Taxation

The Commission is not subject to taxation under any law of the Commonwealth or of a State or Territory.

57 Compliance with standards and guidelines

(1) Compliance with a standard formulated under paragraph 9(1)(e), or a guideline formulated under paragraph 9(1)(f), is voluntary.

(2) Subsection (1) does not prevent compliance with a standard formulated under paragraph 9(1)(e), or a guideline formulated under paragraph 9(1)(f), from being a term or condition of:

(a) a grant; or

(b) a contract or other legally enforceable agreement.

(3) Subsection (1) does not prevent a standard formulated under paragraph 9(1)(e), or a guideline formulated under paragraph 9(1)(f), from being applied or adopted by or under:

(a) a law of a State or Territory; or

(b) a law of the Commonwealth other than this Act.

58 Protection of patient confidentiality

(1) In the performance of the Commission’s functions, the Commission must not publish or disseminate information that is likely to enable the identification of a particular patient.

(2) Subsection (1) does not apply if the publication or dissemination of the information takes place with the informed consent of:

(a) if the patient is aged at least 18 years—the patient; or

(b) if the patient has died but is survived by a person (the surviving partner) who was:

(i) his or her partner immediately before he or she died; and

(ii) living with him or her immediately before he or she died;

the surviving partner; or

(c) in any other case—an individual who, under the regulations, is authorised to give consent to the publication or dissemination of the information.

(3) For the purposes of paragraph (2)(b), a person is taken to have been living with his or her partner at a particular time if they were not living together at that time only because of:

(a) a temporary absence from each other; or

(b) illness or infirmity of either or both of them.

59 Concurrent operation of State and Territory laws etc.

This Act is not intended to exclude or limit the operation of a law of a State or Territory that is capable of operating concurrently with this Act.

60 Regulations

The Governor‑General may make regulations prescribing matters:

(a) required or permitted by this Act to be prescribed; or

(b) necessary or convenient to be prescribed for carrying out or giving effect to this Act.