ATTORNEY-GENERAL’S PORTFOLIO 231

List of Australian Government Bodies and Governance Relationships as at 1 October 2009

ENVIRONMENT, WATER, HERITAGE AND THE ARTS PORTFOLIO 273

ENVIRONMENT, WATER, HERITAGE AND THE ARTSPORTFOLIO

CATEGORY / NUMBER OF BODIES
A. Departmental Bodies / 65
A1.Department of State / 1
A2.Functions with Distinct Branding / 3
A3.Ministerial Councils / 7
A4.Joint Commonwealth-State Bodies / 14
A5.International Bodies / 0
A6.Advisory Bodies / 40
B. Departmental Bodies Recognised in Legislation / 23
B1.Statutory Authorities, Statutory Committees and Royal Commissions / 20
B2.Statutory Office Holders / 3
B3.Business Operations / 0
C. Prescribed Agencies under the FMA Act / 4
D. Commonwealth Authorities under the CAC Act / 10
E. Statutory Corporations
(that are neither Commonwealth Authorities nor encompassed in an FMA Act Agency) / 1
F. Commonwealth Companies under the CAC Act / 2
F1.Limited by Guarantee / 2
F2.Limited by Shares / 0
G. Other Companies / 4
G1.Limited by Guarantee / 4
G2.Limited by Shares / 0
H. Other Entities / 8
H1.Partnerships and Joint Ventures / 5
H2.Incorporated Associations / 2
H3.Trusts / 1
TOTAL / 117
A. / A. DEPARTMENTAL BODIES
A1. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts (theDepartment)
Creation Date: / 3 December 2007
Established By/Under: / Australian Constitution, also Administrative Arrangements Order
Annual Report Tabled: / Yes, section 63 of the Public Service Act 1999 (PS Act).
GFS Classification: / GGS
Materiality: / Material
ABN: / 34 190 894 983
Web Site: / www.environment.gov.au
The Department develops and implements national policy, programs and legislation to protect and conserve Australia's environment and heritage and to promote Australian arts and culture.
Departments of State are recognised under section 64 of the Constitution, the Administrative Arrangements Order, theFinancial Management and Accountability Act 1997 and thePSAct.
A. DEPARTMENTAL BODIES
A2. FUNCTIONS WITH DISTINCT BRANDING
Artbank
Creation Date: / 31 March 1980
Constituted By: / Director of Artbank and a 6 member Advisory Board
Appointed By: / Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts
Annual Report Tabled: / No, but reports within the annual report of the Department.
ABN: / 98007796347
Web Site: / www.artbank.gov.au
Artbank administers a public art rental program established to support Australian visual artists and craftspeople.
Australian Antarctic Division (AAD)
Creation Date: / May 1948
Constituted By: / Director of the AAD and staff
Annual Report Tabled: / No, but reports within the annual report of the Department.
ABN: / 56 428 630 676
Web Site: / www.aad.gov.au
The AAD administers matters relating to Australia’s interests in the Australian Antarctic Territory and theterritories of Heard Island and McDonald Islands.
National Portrait Gallery
Creation Date: / 16 September 1997
Constituted By: / Director and a 7 member advisory board
Appointed By: / Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts
Annual Report Tabled: / No, but reports within the annual report of the Department.
ABN: / 34 190 894 983 (the Department)
Web Site: / www.portrait.gov.au
The Gallery develops, maintains and exhibits a representative collection of portraits of subjects who have made a major impact upon Australia. The collection is maintained for the purposes of fostering enquiry, research, discussion and interpretation of the culture, history and diversity of Australia.
A. DEPARTMENTAL BODIES
A3. MINISTERIAL COUNCILS
Cultural Ministers Council
Creation Date: / 29 November 1985
Constituted By: / Commonwealth, State, Territory and New Zealand Ministers with portfolio responsibility for arts and cultural affairs. Representatives from theAustralian Local Government Association and the governments of Papua New Guinea and Norfolk Island are observers.
Annual Report Tabled: / No, but reports within the annual report of the Department.
Web Site: / www.cmc.gov.au
The Council is a ministerial forum that considers issues of shared and national significance relating to culture and the arts in Australia.
Environment Protection and Heritage Council
Creation Date: / June 2001
Constituted By: / Commonwealth, State, Territory and New Zealand Ministers with portfolio responsibility for environment and heritage.
Annual Report Tabled: / No
Web Site: / www.ephc.gov.au
The Council is a forum convened for the purpose of developing and coordinating national policy on environmental protection.
Great Barrier Reef Ministerial Council
Creation Date: / 14 June 1979
Constituted By: / Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts and the Minister for Tourism and theQueensland Ministers for the Environment and for Tourism.
Annual Report Tabled: / No
Web Site: / www.gbrmpa.gov.au/corp_site/management
The Council convenes for the purposes of developing and coordinating a national policy approach to matters concerning the Great Barrier Reef.
A. DEPARTMENTAL BODIES
Lake Eyre Basin Ministerial Forum
Creation Date: / 21 October 2000
Established By/Under: / Lake Eyre Basin Intergovernmental Agreement signed in October 2000 and recognised in the LakeEyre Basin Intergovernmental Agreement Act 2001.
Constituted By: / Minister for Climate Change and Water, one Minister representing Queensland, South Australia and the Northern Territory, and other ministers in relevant portfolios who may be declared as observers.
Annual Report Tabled: / No
Web Site: / www.lebmf.gov.au/forum
The Forum develops policies and strategies concerning the management of the Lake Eyre Basin Agreement Area, in accordance with the purposes, objectives and principles set out in the agreement.
Murray-Darling Basin Ministerial Council
Creation Date: / 29 September 1993
Established By/Under: / Murray-Darling Basin Agreement, clause 8 - originally contained in the Schedule to the MurrayDarlingBasinAct 1993 and now in the Schedule to the Water Act 2007.
Constituted By: / Chair (Commonwealth Minister for Climate Change and Water), up to 2other Commonwealth Ministers and up to 3 Ministers from the relevant States or Territories.
Annual Report Tabled: / No
Web Site: / www.mdbc.gov.au/about/murraydarling_basin_ministerial_council
The Council develops and coordinates policy for effective planning and sustainable use of the water, land and other environmental resources of the MurrayDarling Basin. (See also Murray-Darling Basin Authority in Section C).
A. DEPARTMENTAL BODIES
Natural Resource Management Ministerial Council (NRMMC)
Creation Date: / July 2001
Constituted By: / Commonwealth, State, Territory and New Zealand Ministers with portfolio responsibility for primary industries and conservation and natural resource management.
Annual Report Tabled: / No
Web Site: / www.mincos.gov.au
The Council convenes to coordinate and develop policies and plans concerning the management of natural resources. It was established by a Council of Australian Governments agreement in July 2001.
NRMMC is supported by the Natural Resource Management Standing Committee of Officials (NRMMC is also listed under the Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry portfolio, Section A3).
Wet Tropics Ministerial Council
Creation Date: / 16 November 1990
Constituted By: / Up to 2 members from each of the Australian and Queensland governments.
Appointed By: / Intergovernmental agreement between the Prime Minister and the Premier of Queensland
Annual Report Tabled: / No
Web Site: / www.wettropics.gov.au
The Council co-ordinates policy and program funding relating to the Wet Tropics of Queensland. The Council also approves management plans and appoints the Wet Tropics Management Authority Board.
A. DEPARTMENTAL BODIES
A4. JOINT COMMONWEALTH-STATE BODIES
Council of Heads of Australian Botanic Gardens
Creation Date: / 19 November 1989
Constituted By: / 8 members
Annual Report Tabled: / No
Web Site: / www.cpbr.gov.au/chabg
The Council reviews the development and strategic direction of the botanic gardens in each capital city and other related public gardens. Members are the directors of the botanic gardens from each jurisdiction. The Council meets twice yearly and its secretariat is located at the Australian National Botanic Gardens.
Cultural Ministers Council Standing Committee
Creation Date: / 29 November 1985
Constituted By: / Officials representing Commonwealth, State, Territory and New Zealand departments with portfolio responsibility for the arts and culture. Officials representing Norfolk Island, Papua New Guinea and the Australian Local Government Association are observers.
Appointed By: / Cultural Ministers Council (CMC)
Annual Report Tabled: / No
Web Site: / www.cmc.gov.au
The Committee considers issues of national significance relating to culture and the arts in Australia, with a view to progressing the agenda and implementing the decisions of the CMC.
Environment Protection and Heritage Standing Committee
Creation Date: / 2001
Constituted By: / Officials representing Commonwealth, State, Territory and New Zealand environment and heritage departments.
Appointed By: / Environment Protection and Heritage Council members
Annual Report Tabled: / No
Web Site: / www.ephc.gov.au
The Committee is the principal adviser to the Environment Protection and Heritage Council.
A. DEPARTMENTAL BODIES
Fraser Island World Heritage Area Management Committee
Creation Date: / 3 July 1997
Constituted By: / Australian and Queensland Government officials and chairs of the three Fraser Island advisory committees. A Councillor from the local council attends as an observer.
Annual Report Tabled: / No
Web Site: / No current web site available
The Committee develops and coordinates policies for the management of the Fraser Island World Heritage Area. The Committee reports to the relevant Australian and Queensland Government Ministers.
Great Barrier Reef Water Quality Protection Plan Intergovernmental Steering Committee
Creation Date: / 2003
Constituted By: / Senior officials representing Commonwealth and State agencies involved with the Great Barrier Reef Water Quality Protection Plan.
Annual Report Tabled: / No
Web Site: / No current web site available
The Committee reports to the Great Barrier Reef Ministerial Council and relevant Commonwealth and State Government Ministers on the design and operation of the Reef Water Quality Protection Plan. It is supported by a project team of the associated departments’ officers, known as the Great Barrier Reef Water Quality Protection Plan Intergovernmental Operational Committee.
Commonwealth members represent the Department, the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority. Queensland members represent the Department of the Premier and Cabinet, the Department of Natural Resources and Mines, theEnvironmental Protection Agency and the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries.
A. DEPARTMENTAL BODIES
Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area Management Committee
Creation Date: / 4 April 2005
Constituted By: / 3 members, chaired by the Director of the New South Wales Parks and Wildlife Service, othermembers are nominated by the Jenolan Caves Reserve Trust and the Department.
Annual Report Tabled: / No
Web Site: / No current web site available
The Committee, under the direction of relevant Australian and NSW Government Ministers, convenes to develop and coordinate policies for the management of Blue Mountains World Heritage Area. It reports to the relevant Australian and New South Wales Government Ministers.
Historic Shipwreck Delegates Committee
Creation Date: / 23 September 1985
Established By/Under: / Historic Shipwrecks Act 1976, section 30
Constituted By: / Delegated officials representing Commonwealth, State, Northern Territory and Norfolk Island by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts.
Annual Report Tabled: / No
Web Site: / www.environment.gov.au/heritage/shipwrecks
The Committee develops and coordinates national policy and strategy on historic shipwreck protection.
A. DEPARTMENTAL BODIES
Heritage Chairs and Officials of Australia and New Zealand (HCOANZ)
Creation Date: / 11 December 1996
Constituted By: / Chair of the Commonwealth, State and Territory heritage councils and the manager or chief executive of each associated government heritage agency. New Zealand is represented by the Chair of the Maori Heritage Council and Chief Executive of the New Zealand Historic Places Trust. The Commonwealth provides Secretariat support and is represented by the First Assistant Secretary of the Department’s Heritage Division, and the Chair of the Australian Heritage Council.
Appointed By: / Respective body or agency
Annual Report Tabled: / No
Web Site: / No current web site available
HCOANZ is a reference committee for the Environment Protection and Heritage Council and was previously known as the Standing Committee for the Heritage Ministers Ministerial Council 1996-2001.
Marine and Coastal Committee
Creation Date: / 2001
Constituted By: / 19 members
Appointed By: / 6 members are appointed by agency heads of the Department, theDepartment of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation. Theother members are appointed by the States and the Northern Territory. TheChair is appointed by the Natural Resource Management Standing Committee (NRMSC).
Annual Report Tabled: / No
Web Site: / www.mincos.gov.au/nrm_standing_committee
The Committee advises the NRMSC on issues of national significance relating to the conservation and ecologically sustainable development of marine and coastal ecosystems and resources.
A. DEPARTMENTAL BODIES
National Chemicals Environmental Management (NChEM) Working Group
Creation Date: / June 2007
Constituted By: / Representatives from Commonwealth, State and Territory government agencies
Appointed By: / By respective governments
Annual Report Tabled: / No, but reports through the annual report of the Department.
Web Site: / No current web site available
The Group reviews and develops strategies to counter the environmental impacts of chemicals. The Group reports to the Environment Protection and Heritage Council.
National Education for Sustainability Network
Creation Date: / May 2001
Constituted By: / 28 members
Appointed By: / Representatives are appointed by respective Commonwealth, State and Territory Government environment and education agencies.
Annual Report Tabled: / No, but activities are reported in the annual report of the Department.
Web Site: / www.environment.gov.au/education/network
The Network develops a national coordinated approach to delivery of environmental education, promoting more efficient use of resources and better outcomes.
A. DEPARTMENTAL BODIES
Natural Resource Management Standing Committee
Creation Date: / 2001
Appointed By: / Natural Resource Management Ministerial Council (NRMMC)
Constituted By: / 23 members comprising department heads and Chief Executive Officers of relevant Commonwealth, State, Territory and New Zealand government agencies. Officials representing the Australian Local Government Association and the Papua New Guinea government are observers.
Annual Report Tabled: / No
Web Site: / www.mincos.gov.au/nrm_standing_committee
The Committee advises the NRMMC on technical aspects of national resource management.
Return of Indigenous Cultural Property (RICP) Management Committee
Creation Date: / 27 February 1998
Constituted By: / The RICP Management Committee comprises representatives of each State and the Northern Territory. The Director of Museums Australia (the peak body for the Museums sector) is an ex officio member. TheManagement Committee is chaired by the Assistant Secretary, Collections Branch, Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts.