The Asbestos Safety and Eradication Council (the council), like the agency, was established by the assent of the ASEA Act.
The council is made up of a Chair and nine members who have been selected for their experience and expertise with asbestos safety, public health, corporate governance or the representation of people with asbestos-related diseases (ARDs) and their families. One position is reserved for an Australian Government representative and four positions are reserved for state, territory and local government representatives.
Section 29(1) of the ASEA Act sets out the functions of the council in providing guidance to the agency through the CEO. These functions include:
- (a) to provide advice, and make recommendations, to the CEO about the performance of the Agency’s functions, on its own initiative or at the request of the CEO; and
- (b) to provide advice to the Minister about asbestos safety; and
- (c) to monitor the implementation of the National Strategic Plan by Commonwealth, State, Territory and local governments; and
- (d) to provide advice, and make recommendations, about the National Strategic Plan and annual operational plans.
The council may issue written guidelines to the CEO about the performance of the agency’s functions but these must not be inconsistent with any directions given under section 14 of the ASEA Act governing ministerial directions to the CEO.
The Minister may give written directions to the council about the performance of the council’s functions and the council must comply with these directions.
