Terms of Reference and Guidelines

Function

• Role
• Terms of Reference

Membership

• Composition and Representation
• Structure
• Selection Criteria
• Term of Appointments
• Vacation of Office
• Role of the Chair
• Secretariat Support

Operation

• General Meetings
• Quorum
• Working Groups
• Out of Pocket Expenses
• Conflict of Interest
• Contact Details

Function

Role

The ACT Ministerial Advisory Council on Women provides strategic advice to the ACT Government on issues affecting women in the ACT. The Council also provides a link between the Minister for Women and women in the ACT community.

The work of the Council is reflective of the objectives of the ACT Women’s Plan. Through consultation with women in the community and relevant organisations, the Council will monitor the progress of achievements towards these objectives.

Terms of Reference

• Develop a three-year work plan;
• Nominate a Council representative to participate in the Women’s Interdepartmental Committee, which monitors and evaluates the implementation of the ACT Women’s Plan;
• Liaise and consult with the community, service providers and key stakeholders to progress the objectives of the ACT Women’s Plan;
• Provide regular advice to the Minister for Women on the progress of achievements towards the objectives of the ACT Women’s Plan;
• Seek advice from women in the community, obtaining diverse views on policy changes to gauge the effect on women’s lives;
• Establish and maintain cooperative networks with other Ministerial advisory bodies and relevant ACT Government agencies with a view to coordinating effort and activities to achieve Government objectives; and
• Provide an annual report on the progress of work undertaken by the Council to the Minister for Women.

Membership

Composition and Representation

Council members will be:

• representatives from various women’s organisations and peak bodies (applicants from all positions and levels within women’s organisations are encouraged); or
• women who are able to satisfy the selection criteria but who may have less formal affiliations with women’s organisations.

Structure

The Council will consist of 12 members, including a Chair and Deputy Chair. All Council members, including the positions of Chair and Deputy Chair will be appointed by the Minister for Women.

Selection Criteria

The Minister for Women may consider the composition of the Council as a whole when selecting members to ensure that the Council is representative of women in the ACT and inclusive (where appropriate) of people with disabilities, people of diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and people of different ages and locations.

1. Demonstrated commitment to the advancement of women.
2. Sound knowledge of the interests and concerns of women in the ACT community.
3. Demonstrated ability to consult and represent a wide range of views of women in the ACT.

Term of Appointments

Appointments will be for three years, unless otherwise determined by the Minister for Women.

Vacation of Office

Members are to notify the Minister for Women in writing of their intention to resign from the Council, with a copy to the Chair. The appointment of replacement members is at the discretion of the Minister for Women.

Role of the Chair

The role of the Chair is to facilitate orderly and constructive discussion between members on matters within the Council’s Terms of Reference and ensure that any action required is appropriately assigned. The Chair will also liaise with the Secretariat to develop meeting agendas and ensure the progression of actions arising from meetings.

Secretariat Support

Secretariat support to the Council will be provided by the ACT Office for Women within the Chief Ministers Department. The Secretariat will compile agendas, take minutes of meetings, arrange catering for meetings and liaise between the Council and other Government agencies.

Operation

General Meetings

Meetings are to occur on a two-monthly basis.

Quorum

In order for decisions to be made at meetings there is to be a quorum of no less than half the total current number of members plus one.

Working Groups

The Council may choose to convene various working groups to develop and implement a range of projects.

Out of Pocket Expenses

Members of the Council will be eligible for reimbursement of reasonable out of pocket expenses such as parking and care arrangements during meeting times, and pre-arranged travel associated with undertaking their work on the Council.

Conflict of Interest

Documentation outlining appropriate conduct in relation to conflict of interest and other issues is outlined in the ACT Government Boards and Committees Handbook, which is available from the ACT Office for Women.

Contact Details

Secretariat
Ministerial Advisory Council on Women
C/- ACT Office for Women
Department of Disability, Housing and Community Services

Address:
GPO Box 158
Canberra ACT 2601

Phone: (02) 6207 2552
Fax: (02) 6207 0592
Email: women@act.gov.au
Website: www.women.act.gov.au

Dated: February 2008

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