Commonwealth of Australia Bills

[Index] [Search] [Download] [Related Items] [Help]


This is a Bill, not an Act. For current law, see the Acts databases.


AUSTRALIAN CENTRE FOR SOCIAL COHESION BILL 2015

 

 

 

2013-2014-2015 

 

The Parliament of the 

Commonwealth of Australia 

 

THE SENATE 

 

 

 

 

Presented and read a first time 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Australian Centre for Social Cohesion 

Bill 2015 

 

No.      , 2015 

 

(Senator Milne) 

 

 

 

A Bill for an Act to establish the Australian Centre 

for Social Cohesion, and for related purposes 

   

   

   

 

 

No.      , 2015 

Australian Centre for Social Cohesion Bill 2015 

i 

 

Contents 

Part 1--Preliminary

 

1

 

Short title ........................................................................................... 1

 

Commencement ................................................................................. 2

 

Simplified outline of this Act ............................................................. 2

 

Constitutional basis ............................................................................ 3

 

Definitions ......................................................................................... 3

 

Part 2--Australian Centre for Social Cohesion

 

5

 

Division 1--Simplified outline

 

5

 

Simplified outline .............................................................................. 5

 

Division 2--Establishment

 

6

 

Establishment ..................................................................................... 6

 

Division 3--Functions and powers of the Director

 

7

 

Functions and powers ........................................................................ 7

 

Independence of the Director ............................................................. 8

 

Part 3--Appointments and staffing

 

9

 

Division 1--Simplified outline

 

9

 

10 

Simplified outline .............................................................................. 9

 

Division 2--The Director

 

10

 

11 

Appointment .................................................................................... 10

 

12 

Term of appointment ....................................................................... 10

 

13 

Remuneration and allowances ......................................................... 10

 

14 

Leave of absence .............................................................................. 10

 

15 

Outside employment ........................................................................ 11

 

16 

Disclosure of interests to the Minister ............................................. 11

 

17 

Other terms and conditions .............................................................. 11

 

18 

Resignation ...................................................................................... 11

 

19 

Termination of appointment ............................................................ 11

 

20 

Acting Director ................................................................................ 12

 

Division 3--Deputy Directors

 

13

 

21 

Appointment of deputy Directors .................................................... 13

 

Division 4--Staff, consultants and delegations

 

14

 

22 

Staff ................................................................................................. 14

 

23 

Consultants ...................................................................................... 14

 

24 

Delegation ........................................................................................ 14

 

 

 

ii 

Australian Centre for Social Cohesion Bill 2015 

No.      , 2015 

 

Part 4--Miscellaneous

 

15

 

25 

Simplified outline ............................................................................ 15

 

26 

Protection from criminal or civil actions ......................................... 15

 

27 

Rule-making power.......................................................................... 15

 

 

 

 

No.      , 2015 

Australian Centre for Social Cohesion Bill 2015 

1 

 

A Bill for an Act to establish the Australian Centre 

for Social Cohesion, and for related purposes 

The Parliament of Australia enacts: 

Part 1--Preliminary 

   

1  Short title 

 

  This Act may be cited as the Australian Centre for Social Cohesion 

Act 2015

   

Part 1  Preliminary 

   

 

Section 2 

 

2 

Australian Centre for Social Cohesion Bill 2015 

No.      , 2015 

 

2  Commencement 

 

(1)  Each provision of this Act specified in column 1 of the table 

commences, or is taken to have commenced, in accordance with 

column 2 of the table. Any other statement in column 2 has effect 

according to its terms. 

 

Commencement information 

Column 1 

Column 2 

Column 3 

Provision(s) 

Commencement 

Date/Details 

1.  Sections 1 and 

2 and anything in 

this Act not 

elsewhere covered 

by this table 

The day this Act receives the Royal Assent. 

 

2.  Sections 3 to 

27 

A single day to be fixed by Proclamation. 

However, if the provision(s) do not 

commence within the period of 6 months 

beginning on the day this Act receives the 

Royal Assent, they commence on the day 

after the end of that period. 

 

Note:  

This table relates only to the provisions of this Act as originally 

enacted. It will not be amended to deal with any later amendments of 

this Act. 

 

(2)  Any information in column 3 of the table is not part of this Act. 

10 

Information may be inserted in this column, or information in it 

11 

may be edited, in any published version of this Act. 

12 

3  Simplified outline of this Act 

13 

This Act establishes the Australian Centre for Social Inclusion. 

14 

The Director of the Centre has functions relating to improving 

15 

social cohesion and preventing violent extremism. The Director 

16 

must, in performing these functions, engage in public consultation 

17 

and actively involve relevant communities in decisions that affect 

18 

them. 

19 

   

Preliminary  Part 1 

   

 

Section 4 

 

No.      , 2015 

Australian Centre for Social Cohesion Bill 2015 

3 

 

4  Constitutional basis 

 

  Without limiting its effect apart from this section, this Act also has 

the effect it would have if the powers and functions of the Centre 

were confined to powers and functions that were to be exercised 

and performed: 

 

(a)  in so far as it is appropriate for those powers and functions to 

be exercised and performed by the Centre on behalf of the 

Government of the Commonwealth as the national 

Government of Australia; and 

 

(b)  for purposes for which it is appropriate for the Parliament, as 

10 

the national Parliament of Australia, to authorise the Centre 

11 

to exercise powers and perform functions; and 

12 

 

(c)  in relation to the collection of statistics; and 

13 

 

(d)  in relation to external affairs; and 

14 

 

(e)  in relation to a Territory; and 

15 

 

(f)  in relation to the executive power of the Commonwealth; and 

16 

 

(g)  in relation to matters incidental to the execution of any of the 

17 

legislative powers of the Parliament or the executive power 

18 

of the Commonwealth. 

19 

5  Definitions 

20 

 

  In this Act: 

21 

Centre means the Australian Centre for Social Cohesion 

22 

established by section 7. 

23 

deputy Director means a deputy Director of the Centre appointed 

24 

under section 21. 

25 

Director means the Director of the Centre appointed under 

26 

section 11. 

27 

enactment means an Act or an instrument made under an Act, and 

28 

includes any other legislation applied as a law of the 

29 

Commonwealth to the extent that it operates as such a law. 

30 

rules means the rules made under section 27. 

31 

   

Part 1  Preliminary 

   

 

Section 5 

 

4 

Australian Centre for Social Cohesion Bill 2015 

No.      , 2015 

 

staff of the Centre means the staff engaged under section 22. 

   

Australian Centre for Social Cohesion  Part 2 

Simplified outline  Division 1 

 

Section 6 

 

No.      , 2015 

Australian Centre for Social Cohesion Bill 2015 

5 

 

Part 2--Australian Centre for Social Cohesion 

Division 1--Simplified outline 

6  Simplified outline 

The Centre is established under the Public Governance, 

Performance and Accountability Act 2013

The Director of the Centre has functions relating to improving 

social cohesion and preventing violent extremism. 

The Director is independent, and not subject to direction. 

   

Part 2  Australian Centre for Social Cohesion 

Division 2  Establishment 

 

Section 7 

 

6 

Australian Centre for Social Cohesion Bill 2015 

No.      , 2015 

 

Division 2--Establishment 

7  Establishment 

 

(1)  The Australian Centre for Social Cohesion (the Centre) is 

established by this section. 

 

(2)  The Centre consists of: 

 

(a)  a Director; and 

 

(b)  any deputy Directors; and 

 

(c)  the staff of the Centre. 

 

(3)  The function of the Centre is to assist the Director in the 

performance of his or her functions and the exercise of his or her 

10 

powers. 

11 

 

(4)  For the purposes of the finance law (within the meaning of the 

12 

Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013): 

13 

 

(a)  the Centre is a listed entity; and 

14 

 

(b)  the Director is the accountable authority of the Centre; and 

15 

 

(c)  the following persons are officials of the Centre: 

16 

 

(i)  the Director; 

17 

 

(ii)  the Deputy Director; 

18 

 

(iii)  the staff of the Centre; and 

19 

 

(d)  the purposes of the Centre include the functions of the 

20 

Director referred to in section 8. 

21 

   

Australian Centre for Social Cohesion  Part 2 

Functions and powers of the Director  Division 3 

 

Section 8 

 

No.      , 2015 

Australian Centre for Social Cohesion Bill 2015 

7 

 

Division 3--Functions and powers of the Director 

8  Functions and powers 

 

(1)  The Director has the following functions: 

 

(a)  to bring together government bodies, law enforcement 

agencies, members of the public, academics, researchers and 

former extremists to: 

 

(i)  distribute emerging knowledge and foster dialogue 

around issues relating to violent extremism in Australia; 

and 

 

(ii)  develop policy responses to build resilient and cohesive 

10 

communities; 

11 

 

(b)  to foster the capacity of individuals, organisations and 

12 

governments to achieve policy objectives relating to 

13 

improving social cohesion and preventing violent extremism; 

14 

 

(c)  to undertake research and educational programs and other 

15 

programs, on behalf of the Commonwealth, for the purpose 

16 

of improving social cohesion and preventing violent 

17 

extremism, and to coordinate any such programs undertaken 

18 

by any other persons or authorities on behalf of the 

19 

Commonwealth; 

20 

 

(d)  to examine enactments, and (when requested to do so by the 

21 

Minister) proposed enactments, for the purpose of evaluating 

22 

their effect or likely effect in relation to improving social 

23 

cohesion and preventing violent extremism, and to report to 

24 

the Minister the results of any such examination; 

25 

 

(e)  to promote the public discussion of ways of improving social 

26 

cohesion and preventing violent extremism in Australia; 

27 

 

(f)  on his or her own initiative or when requested by the 

28 

Minister, to report to the Minister as to the laws that should 

29 

be made by the Parliament, or action that should be taken by 

30 

the Commonwealth, to improve social cohesion or prevent 

31 

violent extremism; 

32 

 

(g)  to report to the Parliament on any matter related to his or her 

33 

functions; 

34 

   

Part 2  Australian Centre for Social Cohesion 

Division 3  Functions and powers of the Director 

 

Section 9 

 

8 

Australian Centre for Social Cohesion Bill 2015 

No.      , 2015 

 

 

(h)  to undertake any other function conferred by this Act or any 

other law of the Commonwealth; 

 

(i)  to do anything incidental or conducive to the performance of 

any of the above functions. 

 

(2)  In the performance of his or her functions, the Director is to: 

 

(a)  engage in public consultation and have regard to the results 

of such consultation; and 

 

(b)  actively involve relevant communities in decisions that affect 

them. 

 

(3)  The Director has the power to do all things that are necessary or 

10 

convenient to be done for or in connection with the performance of 

11 

his or her functions. 

12 

9  Independence of the Director 

13 

 

  The Director is not subject to direction from anyone in relation to 

14 

the performance of his or her functions or the exercise of his or her 

15 

powers. 

16 

   

Appointments and staffing  Part 3 

Simplified outline  Division 1 

 

Section 10 

 

No.      , 2015 

Australian Centre for Social Cohesion Bill 2015 

9 

 

Part 3--Appointments and staffing 

Division 1--Simplified outline 

10  Simplified outline 

The Centre is established under the Public Governance, 

Performance and Accountability Act 2013

The Director and any deputy Directors are appointed by the 

Governor-General. 

The staff of the Centre are to be engaged under the Public Service 

Act 1999

   

Part 3  Appointments and staffing 

Division 2  The Director 

 

Section 11 

 

10 

Australian Centre for Social Cohesion Bill 2015 

No.      , 2015 

 

Division 2--The Director 

11  Appointment 

 

(1)  The Director is to be appointed by the Governor-General, by 

written instrument, on a full-time basis. 

 

(2)  A person may only be appointed as the Director if the Minister is 

satisfied that the person has appropriate qualifications, knowledge 

or experience. 

 

(3)  Whenever a vacancy occurs in the office of Director, an 

appointment must be made to the office as soon as practicable. 

12  Term of appointment 

10 

 

  The Director holds office for the period specified in the instrument 

11 

of appointment. The period must not exceed 5 years. 

12 

Note: 

For reappointment, see section 33AA of the Acts Interpretation Act 

13 

1901

14 

13  Remuneration and allowances 

15 

 

(1)  The Director is to be paid the remuneration that is determined by 

16 

the Remuneration Tribunal. If no determination of that 

17 

remuneration by the Tribunal is in operation, the Director is to be 

18 

paid the remuneration that is prescribed by the rules. 

19 

 

(2)  The Director is to be paid the allowances that are prescribed by the 

20 

rules. 

21 

 

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

22 

1973

23 

14  Leave of absence 

24 

 

(1)  The Director has the recreation leave entitlements that are 

25 

determined by the Remuneration Tribunal. 

26 

   

Appointments and staffing  Part 3 

The Director  Division 2 

 

Section 15 

 

No.      , 2015 

Australian Centre for Social Cohesion Bill 2015 

11 

 

 

(2)  The Minister may grant the Director leave of absence, other than 

recreation leave, on the terms and conditions as to remuneration or 

otherwise that the Minister determines. 

15  Outside employment 

 

  The Director must not engage in paid employment outside the 

duties of his or her office without the Minister's approval. 

16  Disclosure of interests to the Minister 

 

(1)  The Director must give written notice to the Minister of all 

interests, pecuniary or otherwise, that the Director has or acquires 

that conflict or could conflict with the proper performance of the 

10 

Director's functions. 

11 

 

(2)  The notice must be given to the Minister as soon as practicable 

12 

after the Director becomes aware of the potential for conflict of 

13 

interest. 

14 

17  Other terms and conditions 

15 

 

  The Director holds office on the terms and conditions (if any) in 

16 

relation to matters not covered by this Act that are prescribed by 

17 

the rules. 

18 

18  Resignation 

19 

 

(1)  The Director may resign his or her appointment by giving the 

20 

Minister a written resignation. 

21 

 

(2)  The resignation takes effect on the day it is received by the 

22 

Minister or, if a later day is specified in the resignation, on that 

23 

later day. 

24 

19  Termination of appointment 

25 

 

  The Minister may terminate the appointment of the Director: 

26 

 

(a)  for misbehaviour; or 

27 

   

Part 3  Appointments and staffing 

Division 2  The Director 

 

Section 20 

 

12 

Australian Centre for Social Cohesion Bill 2015 

No.      , 2015 

 

 

(b)  if the Director is unable to perform the duties of his or her 

office because of physical or mental incapacity; or 

 

(c)  if the Director: 

 

(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 

 

(d)  if the Director is absent, except on leave of absence, for 14 

10 

consecutive days or for 28 days in any 12 months; or 

11 

 

(e)  if the Director engages in paid employment contrary to 

12 

section 15; or 

13 

 

(f)  if the Director fails, without reasonable excuse, to comply 

14 

with section 16. 

15 

20  Acting Director 

16 

 

(1)  The Minister may, by written instrument, appoint a person to act as 

17 

the Director: 

18 

 

(a)  during a vacancy in the office of the Director (whether or not 

19 

an appointment has previously been made to the office); or 

20 

 

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

21 

 

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

22 

 

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

23 

office. 

24 

Requirements before appointing a person to act 

25 

 

(2)  A person may only be appointed to act as the Director if the 

26 

Minister is satisfied that the person has appropriate qualifications, 

27 

knowledge or experience. 

28 

Note: 

For rules that apply to acting appointments, see sections 33AB and 

29 

33A of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901

30 

   

Appointments and staffing  Part 3 

Deputy Directors  Division 3 

 

Section 21 

 

No.      , 2015 

Australian Centre for Social Cohesion Bill 2015 

13 

 

Division 3--Deputy Directors 

21  Appointment of deputy Directors 

 

(1)  The Governor-General may, by written instrument, appoint one or 

more deputy Directors to assist the Director. 

 

(2)  The period and terms and conditions of a deputy Director's 

appointment are as set out in the instrument of appointment. 

 

(3)  A person may only be appointed as a deputy Director if the 

Minister is satisfied that the person has appropriate qualifications, 

knowledge or experience. 

   

Part 3  Appointments and staffing 

Division 4  Staff, consultants and delegations 

 

Section 22 

 

14 

Australian Centre for Social Cohesion Bill 2015 

No.      , 2015 

 

Division 4--Staff, consultants and delegations 

22  Staff 

 

(1)  The staff of the Centre are to be persons engaged under the Public 

Service Act 1999

 

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

 

(a)  the Director, the deputy Directors and the staff of the Centre 

together constitute a Statutory Agency; and 

 

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

23  Consultants 

 

  The Director may, on behalf of the Commonwealth, engage 

10 

consultants to assist in the performance of the Director's functions 

11 

and the exercise of the Director's powers. 

12 

24  Delegation 

13 

 

  The Director may, by writing, delegate any or all of the Director's 

14 

functions and powers to: 

15 

 

(a)  a deputy Director; or 

16 

 

(b)  an SES employee, or acting SES employee, who is a member 

17 

of the staff of the Centre. 

18 

   

Miscellaneous  Part 4 

   

 

Section 25 

 

No.      , 2015 

Australian Centre for Social Cohesion Bill 2015 

15 

 

Part 4--Miscellaneous 

   

25  Simplified outline 

This Part deals with miscellaneous matters. 

26  Protection from criminal or civil actions 

 

(1)  No action, suit or proceeding (whether criminal or civil) lies 

against a protected person in relation to anything done, or omitted 

to be done, in good faith by the person: 

 

(a)  in accordance, or purportedly in accordance, with this Act; or 

 

(b)  in the performance, or purported performance, of the 

10 

Director's functions; or 

11 

 

(c)  in the exercise, or purported exercise, of the Director's 

12 

powers. 

13 

Note: 

This section extends to, for example, a thing done in good faith in 

14 

accordance with a delegation under section 24. 

15 

 

(2)  The protected persons are as follows: 

16 

 

(a)  the Minister; 

17 

 

(b)  the Director; 

18 

 

(c)  a deputy Director; 

19 

 

(d)  a member of the staff of the Centre. 

20 

27  Rule-making power 

21 

 

  The Minister may, by legislative instrument, make rules 

22 

prescribing matters: 

23 

 

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

24 

rules; or 

25 

 

(b)  necessary or convenient to be prescribed for carrying out or 

26 

giving effect to this Act. 

27 

 


[Index] [Search] [Download] [Related Items] [Help]