• Subject to the above, each member of Council is required to use his or her discretion in discussing the issues considered by Council; • Except for material in the public domain Council papers will not be circulated outside Council without a prior decision of Council; and • Before Council publishes any of its decisions it will consult with the Office of the Attorney-General. 4.8 However, Council specifically recognised the need to communicate as openly and broadly as possible about its work. Accordingly, the Council has decided that the Secretariat and members may make the Council Meeting Agenda available to any individuals or organisations as appropriate. Consultation 4.9 In performing its functions the Council is required to consult broadly with alternative dispute resolution organisations, service providers and practitioners, courts and tribunals, government, the legal profession, educational institutions, business, industry and consumer groups and community organisations as well as the Family Law Council and Family Services Council, when appropriate. 4.10 During 1997/98, the Council continued to fulfil this requirement by publishing the second edition of its newsletter, ‘NADRAC Notes’, in July 1997. The newsletter was distributed to all those on the NADRAC mailing list which includes a broad range of individuals and organisations with interests in ADR. Unfortunately, limited resources and the changeover between Councils did not permit the publication of further editions in December 1997 and June 1998. 4.11 It is planned to produce the third edition of the newsletter in November 1998. 4.12 NADRAC’s sub-page on the Attorney-Generals Department’s web-site home page has proven to be very successful with numerous enquiries from organisations and individuals interested in NADRAC’s work. NADRAC’s home page address is: htm 4.13 All NADRAC publications have been accommodated on the web-site. To date the site provides access to the Council’s ADR Definitions Paper, its Report to the Attorney-General on Part 5 of the Family Law Regulations, the Discussion Paper on Issues of Fairness and Justice and the first two editions of ‘NADRAC Notes’, as well as the Council’s Annual Reports. It is envisaged that future discussion papers, reports and newsletters will also be accommodated on the web-site. Participation in the work of other organisations 4.14 Having regard to NADRAC’s primary role of providing independent advice to the Attorney-General on alternative dispute resolution, it would be inappropriate for
5. ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS TRAVEL 5.1 Members’ air travel is arranged by the Council Secretariat and paid out of the Council’s operating funds. In general, members fly economy class when travelling involves a flight time of less than 3 hours. Where flight times exceed 3 hours, Council members are entitled to fly business class. Different conditions may apply in relation to any members of the judiciary who are members of Council. 5.2 As the Attorney-General's Department has a contract with Qantas, members are required to travel with Qantas wherever possible. Council members are not entitled to personal use of any frequent flyer points earned when flying on Council business. SITTING FEES 5.3 Although not holders of public office, the members of NADRAC are paid sitting fees in line with Category 2 Sitting Fees determined by the Remuneration Tribunal for Non-specified Part-Time Holders of Public Office. Members are entitled to be paid the daily sitting fee for attendance at any Council or committee meeting which exceeds 3 hours. Lesser amounts are payable in respect of meetings of less than 3 hours. 5.4 The daily fees as at 30 June 1998 were: Chairperson: $450.00 Member: $247.00 MEMBERS TRAVELLING ALLOWANCE 5.5 Members are paid travelling allowances in accordance with the rates specified by the Remuneration Tribunal for Part-Time Holders of Public Office. FINANCIAL RESOURCES 5.6 NADRAC’s allocation for the 1997/98 financial year was $183,787. This figure comprised $120,066 for secretariat salaries and $63, 721 for sitting fees and other administrative expenditures.