Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:C2024C00557:section:178
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:C2024C00557
Segment Type: section
Provision Reference: s 178
Character Range: 452823–455147

178  Appointment of Authority members

Appointment by instrument

        (1) Each Authority member is to be appointed by the Governor‑General by written instrument.
Note: An Authority member may be reappointed: see section 33AA of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901.

Eligibility for appointment
 (2) To be eligible for appointment as an Authority member (other than as a standing Indigenous Authority member), an individual must, at the time of appointment:
 (a) have a high level of expertise in one or more fields relevant to the Authority's functions; and
 (b) not be a member of the governing body of a relevant interest group.
 (2A) To be eligible for appointment as a standing Indigenous Authority member, an individual must be an Indigenous person who, at the time of appointment:
 (a) has a high level of expertise in Indigenous matters relevant to Basin water resources; and
 (b) is not a member of the governing body of a relevant interest group.
 (3) For the purposes of this Act, a field relevant to the Authority's functions includes each of the following:
 (a) water resource management;
 (b) hydrology;
 (c) freshwater ecology;
 (d) resource economics;
 (e) irrigated agriculture;
 (f) public sector governance;
 (g) financial management;
 (h) Indigenous matters relevant to Basin water resources.
 (4) For the purposes of this Act, an individual is a member of the governing body of a relevant interest group if:
 (a) the individual is one of the persons involved in the management of another entity; and
 (b) that other entity (whether incorporated or otherwise):
 (i) represents one or more classes of holders of water access rights, water delivery rights or irrigation rights; or
 (ii) advocates managing the Basin water resources in a particular way.

Basis of appointments
 (5) The Chief Executive must be appointed on a full‑time basis.
 (6) An Authority member (other than the Chief Executive) must be appointed on a part‑time basis.

Validation
 (7) The appointment of an individual as an Authority member is not invalid because of a defect or irregularity in connection with the individual's appointment.
 (8) An act of the Authority is not invalid because of a defect or irregularity in connection with the appointment of the Chief Executive, Authority Chair or any other member of the Authority.