{"id":"national-gallery-victoria-act-1966","name":"National Gallery of Victoria Act 1966","slug":"national-gallery-of-victoria-act-1966","collection":"act","jurisdiction":"vic","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":173564,"registerId":"vic-national-gallery-victoria-act-1966-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-05","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"National Gallery of Victoria Act 1966","content":"Version No. 047\n\n**National Gallery of Victoria Act 1966**\n\n**No. 7482 of 1966**\n\nVersion incorporating amendments as at  \n15 December 2017\n\n**table of provisions**\n\n*Section Page*\n\n1 Short title 1\n\n2 Commencement 1\n\n4 Definitions 1\n\n4A Establishment of National Gallery 4\n\n4B Filming Approval Act 2014 4\n\nPart I—Constitution of the Council of Trustees of the National Gallery of Victoria 5\n\n5 Constitution of Council 5\n\n5A Council represents the Crown 5\n\n5B Council subject to control of the Minister 5\n\n6 Composition of the Council 5\n\n7 Vacancies 7\n\n7A Council may act despite vacancy etc. 8\n\n8 President 8\n\n9 Quorum 9\n\n9A Resolutions without meetings 9\n\n9B Conflicts of interest 10\n\n10 Remuneration and allowances 11\n\n10A Membership of Council not office of profit 11\n\n11 Council first constituted 12\n\n11A Committees 12\n\n11B Delegation 13\n\n12 Director 13\n\n12A Staff 14\n\nPart II—General 15\n\nDivision 1—Functions of the Council 15\n\n13 Functions of the Council 15\n\nDivision 2—General provisions applicable to the Council 16\n\n13A Powers of the Council 16\n\n14 Power to Council to sell, purchase etc. property 17\n\n15 Protection of trustees and members 19\n\n16 Disposal of unclaimed property 20\n\nDivision 2A—Management of land 21\n\n17 Application 21\n\n17A Power to enter into leases 21\n\n17B Power to grant licences over National Gallery land 22\n\nDivision 3—Financial and supplementary provisions 22\n\n18 Account to be kept 22\n\n18AA Borrowing and investment powers 23\n\n18A Council may make by-laws 23\n\n19 Regulations 23\n\n20 Transitional provisions 24\n\n21 Transitional 25\n\nDivision 4—Further transitional provisions 26\n\n22 Determination of staff to be transferred 26\n\n23 Director 26\n\n24 Transfer of staff 26\n\n25 Saving for reconstituted Council 27\n\nEndnotes 28\n\n1 General information 28\n\n2 Table of Amendments 30\n\n3 Amendments Not in Operation 33\n\n4 Explanatory details 34\n\n**Version No.** **047**\n\n**National Gallery of Victoria Act 1966**\n\n**No. 7482 of 1966**\n\nVersion incorporating amendments as at  \n15 December 2017\n\nAn Act to constitute a Council of Trustees of the National Gallery of Victoria and for other purposes.\n\n**BE IT ENACTED by the Queen's Most Excellent Majesty by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Council and the Legislative Assembly of Victoria in this present Parliament assembled and by the authority of the same as follows (that is to say):**\n\n\t1 Short title\n\nThis Act may be cited as the **National Gallery of Victoria Act 1966**.\n\n\t2 Commencement\n\nThe several provisions of this Act shall come into operation on a day or the respective days to be fixed by proclamation or successive proclamations of the Governor in Council published in the Government Gazette.\n\nS. 3  \nrepealed by No. 29/1994 s. 13.\n\n* * * * *\n\nS. 4 amended by No. 85/2006 s. 173(Sch. 1 item 7.2) (ILA s. 39B(1)).\n\n\t4 Definitions\n\n(1) In this Act unless inconsistent with the context or subject-matter—\n\n***Council*** means the Council of Trustees of the National Gallery of Victoria constituted under this Act;\n\nS. 4(1) def. of *country art gallery* amended by No. 45/1987 s. 205(Sch. item 99), repealed by No. 61/1996 s. 69(a).\n\n* * * * *\n\nS. 4(1) def. of *development collection* inserted by No. 8846 s. 2(a).\n\n***development collection*** means the development collection established by the Council within the State collection in the National Gallery;\n\nS. 4(1) def. of *Director* inserted by No. 61/1996  \ns. 69(b).\n\n***Director*** means the Director of the National Gallery of Victoria appointed under section 12;\n\nS. 4(1) def. of *film friendly principles* inserted by No. 51/2014 s. 9(Sch. 2 item 12.1).\n\n***film friendly principles*** has the same meaning as in the **Filming Approval Act 2014**;\n\nS. 4(1) def. of *film permit* inserted by No. 51/2014 s. 9(Sch. 2 item 12.1).\n\n***film permit*** has the same meaning as in the **Filming Approval Act 2014**;\n\nS. 4(1) def. of *National Gallery* substituted by No. 8846 s. 2(b).\n\n***National Gallery*** means the National Gallery of Victoria established under this Act;\n\nS. 4(1) def. of *National Gallery land* inserted by No. 34/2000 s. 20, amended by No. 53/2017 s. 86(1).\n\n***National Gallery land*** means the land shown as Parcel B on the plan numbered LEGL./00–04 lodged in the Central Plan Office;\n\n***President*** means President of the Council;\n\nS. 4(1) def. of *regional art gallery* inserted by No. 61/1996 s. 69(c), substituted by No. 85/2006 s. 173(Sch. 1 item 7.1).\n\n***regional art gallery*** means an art gallery situate and conducted outside—\n\n(a) the metropolitan area for the time being within the meaning of section 201 of the **Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works Act 1958** (as in force immediately before its repeal); or\n\n(b) any area declared by the Governor in Council under subsection (2) to be the metropolitan area.\n\nS. 4(2) inserted by No. 85/2006 s. 173(Sch. 1 item 7.2).\n\n(2) The Governor in Council may, by Order published in the Government Gazette, declare an area to be the metropolitan area for the purposes of this section.\n\nS. 4(3) inserted by No. 85/2006 s. 173(Sch. 1 item 7.2).\n\n(3) An Order made under subsection (2) may apply, adopt or incorporate any matter contained in any document formulated, issued, prescribed or published by any person, whether—\n\n(a) wholly or partially or as amended by order or other instrument; or\n\n(b) as formulated, issued, prescribed or published at the time the order is made or at any time before then.\n\nS. 4(4) inserted by No. 85/2006 s. 173(Sch. 1 item 7.2), amended by No. 53/2017 s. 86(2).\n\n(4) Subsection (3) does not apply to the incorporation of a map or plan of an area of land unless the map or plan is lodged in the Central Plan Office.\n\nS. 4A  \ninserted by No. 8846 s. 3.\n\n\t4A Establishment of National Gallery\n\nS. 4A(1) amended by No. 34/2000 s. 21.\n\n(1) The National Gallery of Victoria shall be established.\n\nS. 4A(2) substituted by No. 34/2000 s. 21.\n\n(2) The National Gallery shall be conducted—\n\n(a) on the National Gallery land; and\n\n(b) at any other places that the Minister may approve from time to time by notice published in the Government Gazette.\n\nS. 4A(3) inserted by No. 34/2000 s. 21.\n\n(3) The Minister may revoke, amend or vary a notice made under subsection (2)(b) by notice published in the Government Gazette.\n\nS. 4A(4) inserted by No. 34/2000 s. 21.\n\n(4) Any proclamation made under this section and in force immediately before the commencement of section 21 of the **Arts Legislation (Amendment) Act 2000** is deemed to be a notice made by the Minister under subsection (2)(b).\n\nS. 4B  inserted by No. 51/2014 s. 9(Sch. 2 item 12.2).\n\n\t4B Filming Approval Act 2014\n\nThis Act is filming approval legislation within the meaning of the **Filming Approval Act 2014**.\n\nPart I—Constitution of the Council of  \nTrustees of the National Gallery of Victoria\n\n\t5 Constitution of Council\n\n(1) For the purposes of this Act there shall be a Council to be called the \"Council of Trustees of the National Gallery of Victoria\".\n\n(2) By that name the Council shall be a body corporate with perpetual succession and a common seal and shall be capable in law of suing and of being sued and of taking purchasing leasing holding selling and disposing of real and personal property for the purposes of this Act and of doing and suffering all such acts and things as bodies corporate may by law do and suffer and as are necessary or expedient for the purpose of carrying out its functions under this Act.\n\nS. 5A  \ninserted by No. 29/1994 s. 4.\n\n\t5A Council represents the Crown\n\nIn performing its functions and exercising its powers under this Act the Council represents the Crown.\n\nS. 5B  \ninserted by No. 29/1994 s. 4, amended by No. 61/1996 s. 70.\n\n\t5B Council subject to control of the Minister\n\nIn performing its functions and exercising its powers under this Act, the Council is subject to the direction and control of the Minister.\n\n\t6 Composition of the Council\n\nS. 6(1) amended by No. 59/1998 s. 5(1)(a).\n\n(1) The Council shall consist of 11 members appointed by the Governor in Council of whom—\n\nS. 6(1)(a) amended by No. 61/1996 s. 71(1)(a).\n\n(a) one shall be a person holding a senior academic office in the visual arts in a University in Victoria;\n\nS. 6(1)(b) amended by No. 61/1996 s. 71(1)(b).\n\n(b) one shall be a person having relevant experience in relation to regional art galleries within Victoria;\n\n(c) one shall be a person who in the opinion of the Minister is distinguished in the field of business administration;\n\n(d) one shall be a person who in the opinion of the Minister is distinguished in the field of finance;\n\nS. 6(1)(e) amended by No. 59/1998 s. 5(1)(b).\n\n(e) 7 others shall be nominated by the Minister.\n\nS. 6(2) substituted by No. 9600 s. 2(1), amended by No. 29/1994 s. 5(1).\n\n(2) Subject to this Act, a member of the Council shall hold office for such term (not exceeding three years) as is specified in the instrument by which he is appointed and shall, subject to subsections (2A) and (3), be eligible for re-appointment[[1]](#endnote-2).\n\nS. 6(2A) inserted by No. 29/1994 s. 5(2).\n\n(2A) A person who has been a member of the Council for 9 consecutive years ceases to hold office and is not eligible for re-appointment unless[[2]](#endnote-3)—\n\n(a) the person is, or immediately before the expiry of the ninth consecutive year the person was, the President; or\n\n(b) a period of 3 years or more has elapsed since the person last was a member of the Council.\n\nS. 6(3) repealed by No. 42/1995  \ns. 224(Sch. 2 item 28), new s. 6(3) inserted by No. 61/1996 s. 71(2), substituted by Nos 59/1998 s. 5(2), 108/2004 s. 117(1) (Sch. 3 item 140), 80/2006 s. 26(Sch. item 75).\n\n(3) The **Public Administration Act 2004** (other than Part 3 of that Act) applies to a member of the Council in respect of the office of member.\n\nS. 6(4) repealed by No. 42/1995 s. 224(Sch. 2 item 28).\n\n* * * * *\n\n\t7 Vacancies\n\n(1) The office of any member of the Council shall become vacant—\n\n(a) at the expiration of his term of office;\n\n(b) if he dies;\n\n(c) if he is incapable of continuing as a member;\n\n(d) if he resigns by writing under his hand addressed to the Governor in Council;\n\n(e) if without leave granted by the President he fails to attend four successive meetings of the Council;\n\n(f) if he is removed from office by the Governor in Council.\n\n(2) Where any leave granted to a member by the President exceeds three consecutive meetings the Council shall notify the Minister of the granting of the leave.\n\nS. 7(3)(4) repealed by No. 29/1994 s. 6.\n\n* * * * *\n\nS. 7A  \ninserted by No. 61/1996 s. 72.\n\n\t7A Council may act despite vacancy etc.\n\nAn act or decision of the Council is not invalid only because of—\n\n(a) a defect or irregularity in or in connection with the appointment of a member; or\n\n(b) a vacancy in the office of member.\n\n\t8 President\n\n(1) When appointing the members of the Council the Governor in Council shall appoint one of the members to be the President of the Council and may fill any vacancy in the office of President.\n\n(2) The President shall hold office as such for the term of his appointment as a member and shall be eligible for re-appointment as President.\n\n(3) If the member of the Council holding the office of President ceases to be a member of the Council he shall cease also to be President of the Council.\n\nS. 8(4) repealed by No. 61/1996 s. 73(1).\n\n* * * * *\n\nS. 8(5) substituted by No. 61/1996 s. 73(2).\n\n(5) The President or, in his or her absence, a member elected by the members present to be chairman of the meeting, must preside at a meeting of the Council.\n\n(6) In the case of an equality of votes at any meeting of the Council the chairman of the meeting shall have a second or casting vote.\n\n(7) Subject to this Act and the regulations the Council may regulate its own procedure.\n\nS. 8(8) inserted by No. 61/1996 s. 73(3).\n\n(8) The Council must meet on at least 6 occasions in each year at the times and places that are determined by the President or the Council.\n\n\t9 Quorum\n\nA quorum of the Council shall consist of a majority in number of the members of the Council for the time being and at any meeting of the Council at which a quorum is present the members present shall have full power to act.\n\nS. 9A  \ninserted by No. 61/1996 s. 74.\n\n\t9A Resolutions without meetings\n\n(1) If—\n\n(a) the Council has taken reasonable steps to give notice to each member setting out the terms of a proposed resolution; and\n\n(b) a majority of the members for the time being sign a document containing a statement that they are in favour of the resolution in the terms set out in the document—\n\na resolution in those terms is deemed to have been passed at a meeting of the Council held on the day on which the document is signed or, if the members referred to in paragraph (b) do not sign it on the same day, on the day on which the last of those members signs the document.\n\n(2) For the purposes of subsection (1), 2 or more separate documents containing a statement in identical terms, each of which is signed by one or more members, are deemed to constitute one document.\n\n(3) If a resolution is, under subsection (1), deemed to have been passed at a meeting of the Council, each member must as soon as practicable be advised of the matter and given a copy of the resolution.\n\n(4) The majority of members referred to in subsection (1)(b) must not include a member who, because of section 9B, is not entitled to vote on the resolution.\n\nS. 9B  \ninserted by No. 61/1996 s. 74.\n\n\t9B Conflicts of interest\n\n(1) If—\n\n(a) a member has a direct or indirect pecuniary interest in a matter being considered or about to be considered by the Council; and\n\n(b) the interest could conflict with the proper performance of the member's duties in relation to the consideration of the matter—\n\nthe member, as soon as practicable after becoming aware of the relevant facts, must declare the nature of the interest to the Council or, in the case of a proposed resolution notice of which is given under section 9A(1)(a), to the President.\n\n(2) The Council or the President must cause the declaration to be tabled at the next meeting of the Council and the person presiding at that meeting must cause the declaration to be recorded in the minutes of the meeting.\n\n(3) A member who has a conflict of interest in a matter—\n\n(a) must not be present during any deliberations on the matter, unless the Council directs otherwise; and\n\n(b) is not entitled to vote on the matter.\n\n(4) If a member votes on a matter in contravention of subsection (3)(b), the vote must be disallowed.\n\n(5) A member who has a conflict of interest in a matter must not be present during any deliberations leading to a direction, or take part in making a direction, under subsection (3)(a).\n\n(6) For the purposes of this section, a member is not to be regarded as having a conflict of interest—\n\n(a) in a matter relating to the supply of goods or services to the member if the goods or services are, or are to be, available to members of the public on the same terms and conditions; or\n\n(b) in a contract or arrangement only because that contract or arrangement may benefit a company or other body in which the member has a beneficial interest that does not exceed 1% of the total nominal value of beneficial interests in that company or body.\n\nS. 10 amended by No. 29/1994 s. 7, substituted by No. 61/1996 s. 75.\n\n\t10 Remuneration and allowances\n\nA member of the Council is entitled to be paid any remuneration or travelling or other allowances fixed for that member from time to time by the Governor in Council.\n\nS. 10A inserted by No. 29/1994 s. 8.\n\n\t10A Membership of Council not office of profit\n\nA member of the Council shall not be taken by reason of being a member to hold an office or place of profit under the Crown which would—\n\n(a) prevent the member sitting or voting as a member of the Legislative Council or Legislative Assembly; or\n\n(b) make void the member's election to the Legislative Council or Legislative Assembly; or\n\n(c) prevent the member continuing to be a member of the Legislative Council or Legislative Assembly; or\n\n(d) subject the member to liability to a penalty under the **Constitution Act 1975**.\n\n\t11 Council first constituted\n\n(1) The first meeting of the Council shall be held at such time and place as is fixed by the President.\n\n(2) The Council shall be deemed to have been duly constituted on the day on which it holds its first meeting.\n\nS. 11(3) repealed by No. 61/1996 s. 76.\n\n* * * * *\n\nS. 11A inserted by No. 61/1996 s. 77.\n\n\t11A Committees\n\n(1) The Council may—\n\n(a) establish any committees it considers necessary and define the constitution and functions of each committee so established;\n\n(b) determine the procedure of each committee;\n\n(c) change the constitution or functions of a committee;\n\n(d) dissolve a committee.\n\n(2) A person may be a member of a committee established by the Council even though he or she is not a member of the Council.\n\n(3) A member of a committee established by the Council is entitled to receive any fees or travelling or other expenses determined by the Council.\n\nS. 11B inserted by No. 61/1996 s. 77.\n\n\t11B Delegation\n\n1. The Council may, by instrument under its common seal, delegate any of its functions or powers (except this power of delegation or the power to make by-laws) to—\n\n\n(a) the members constituting a committee of the Council, if the committee includes 2 or more members of the Council; or\n\n(b) the Director; or\n\n(c) any of its members; or\n\n(d) any member of its staff.\n\n(2) A delegation under subsection (1) may be made to a specified person or class of persons referred to in that subsection.\n\nS. 12 amended by No. 10087 s. 3(1)(Sch. 1 item 177),  \nsubstituted by No. 61/1996  \ns. 78.\n\n\t12 Director\n\n(1) There shall be a Director of the National Gallery of Victoria.\n\n(2) The Director shall—\n\n(a) be the chief executive officer of the Council; and\n\n(b) have the control and management of the day to day affairs of the Council in accordance with directions given by the Council.\n\n(3) The Director shall be appointed by the Council, with the approval of the Minister, for the term, not exceeding 5 years, that is specified in the instrument of appointment but is eligible for re‑appointment.\n\n(4) The Director holds office, subject to this Act, on the terms and conditions that are specified in the instrument of appointment.\n\n(5) The Council must not remove the Director from office except with the approval of the Minister.\n\nS. 12A inserted by No. 61/1996  \ns. 78.\n\n\t12A Staff\n\nThe Council may employ any persons necessary for the purposes of this Act.\n\nPart II—General\n\nDivision 1—Functions of the Council\n\nS. 13  \namended by No. 61/1996 s. 79(1)(a).\n\n\t13 Functions of the Council\n\n(1) The functions of the Council shall be—\n\nS. 13(1)(a) substituted by No. 34/2000 s. 22(a).\n\n(a) to control, manage, operate, promote, develop and maintain the National Gallery and the National Gallery land;\n\nS. 13(1)(b) amended by No. 61/1996 s. 79(1)(b).\n\n(b) to maintain, conserve, develop and promote the State collection of works of art;\n\n(c) to make material within the State collection available to persons, departments and institutions in such manner and subject to such conditions as the Council determines with a view to the most advantageous use of the State collection;\n\nS. 13(1)(ca) inserted by No. 61/1996 s. 79(1)(c).\n\n(ca) to conduct public programs and exhibitions of material within the State collection;\n\nS. 13(1)(d) amended by No. 61/1996 s. 79(1)(d).\n\n(d) to carry out and make available such other services, including computer and other technologies and the printing publication and sale of books information and reproductions, in relation to pictures, works of art and art exhibits as the Council thinks fit;\n\n(e) to assist in the promotion organization and supervision of art galleries and any body or association established for the promotion of art within Victoria;\n\n(f) to advise the Minister and the organizations mentioned in paragraph (e) on matters of general policy relating to art galleries;\n\nS. 13(1)(g) substituted by No. 61/1996 s. 79(1)(e).\n\n(g) to provide leadership in the provision of art gallery services in Victoria;\n\nS. 13(1)(h) amended by No. 29/1994 s. 9(a)(b).\n\n(h) to carry out such other functions as the Minister from time to time approves;\n\nS. 13(1)(i) repealed by No. 8846 s. 4, new s. 13(1)(i) inserted by No. 34/2000 s. 22(b).\n\n(i) to carry out any other function conferred on the Council under this Act.\n\nS. 13(2) inserted by No. 61/1996 s. 79(2).\n\n(2) In carrying out its functions, the Council must endeavour to contribute to the enrichment of the cultural, educational, social and economic life of the people of Victoria.\n\nDivision 2—General provisions applicable  \nto the Council\n\nS. 13A inserted by No. 34/2000 s. 23.\n\n\t13A Powers of the Council\n\n(1) The Council may do all things necessary or convenient to be done for or in connection with the carrying out of its functions.\n\n(2) Without limiting subsection (1), the Council—\n\n(a) for the purpose of carrying out its functions, may enter into contracts, agreements or arrangements with—\n\n(i) the Victorian Arts Centre Trust constituted by the **Victorian Arts Centre Act 1979**; or\n\n(ii) any other person or body, whether corporate or unincorporate;\n\n(b) may, subject to this Act, grant a lease or licence over any part of the National Gallery land.\n\n\t14 Power to Council to sell, purchase etc. property\n\n(1) Subject to subsection (2) and with the approval of the Governor in Council the Council may exchange sell lease or dispose of any property vested in it by or under this Act.\n\nS. 14(1A) inserted by No. 34/2000 s. 24.\n\n(1A) Nothing in this section applies in respect of the National Gallery land.\n\nS. 14(2) substituted by No. 29/1994 s. 10(1).\n\n(2) The Governor in Council must not approve the sale, exchange or disposal of a work of art in the State collection unless satisfied that the Council has resolved that retention of that work is unnecessary and inappropriate to the activities of the Council.\n\nS. 14(2A) inserted by No. 8846 s. 5.\n\n(2A) Subsection (2) does not apply to works of art in the development collection.\n\nS. 14(2B) inserted by No. 8846 s. 5, amended by No. 29/1994 s. 10(2).\n\n(2B) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (1) the Council may subject to and in accordance with the by-laws exchange sell lease or otherwise dispose of works of art in the development collection.\n\nS. 14(2C) inserted by No. 8846 s. 5.\n\n(2C) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in subsection (3) the Council shall not out of the moneys available to it acquire works of art for the development collection unless the moneys so used—\n\n(a) are paid out by the Council subject to and in accordance with the terms of a special trust;\n\n(b) are made available to the Council for that purpose; or\n\n(c) represent all or part of the proceeds of the sale exchange leasing or disposal by the Council of any work or works of art in the development collection.\n\nS. 14(2D) inserted by No. 8846 s. 5.\n\n(2D) The Council shall not include in the development collection any works of art which were at the commencement of the **National Gallery of Victoria (Development Collection) Act 1976** in the State collection.\n\n(3) The Council may accept or take on loan or, out of any moneys available to it, purchase any personal property for the purpose of carrying into effect the objects of this Act.\n\nS. 14(3A) inserted by No. 8340 s. 2(a).\n\n(3A) The Council may with the consent of the Governor in Council purchase any personal property for the purposes of carrying into effect the objects of this Act on terms of deferred payment and those terms may provide that the purchase money shall be paid by instalments and the purchase may be subject to such other terms and conditions as the Council thinks fit.\n\n(4) In addition to any other method of donation or gift which the Council is entitled to accept, the Council may accept a donation or gift of, or of cash for the purchase of, any picture work of art or exhibit conditional on such picture work of art or exhibit—\n\n(a) remaining in the custody of the donor during his lifetime or for any other period agreed upon between the donor and the Council; and\n\n(b) being handed over by the donor to the Council for the purposes of exhibition or study whenever and for such period as the Council may in writing so request.\n\n(5) The Council may lend works of art vested in or under the management or control of the Council to such persons or for such purposes as the Council thinks fit.\n\nS. 14(6) inserted by No. 8340 s. 2(b).\n\n(6) With the approval of the Governor in Council the Council may agree to indemnify and execute indemnities under the seal of the Council in favour of a person and his legal personal representative against any liability which may be incurred by that person or his legal personal representative by the operation of a law of the Commonwealth or of this or of any other State or of any other country as a result of the gift loan or sale of any personal property to the Council.\n\n\t15 Protection of trustees and members\n\nNo action suit or proceedings shall be brought or maintained against any member or former member of the Council in respect of anything done or omitted to be done by him as a member of the Council in the bona fide exercise of powers conferred or reasonably believed by the member to have been conferred on the Council by this Act.\n\n\t16 Disposal of unclaimed property\n\n(1) Subject to subsection (2) and with the approval of the Governor in Council the Council may retain exchange sell lease or dispose of any property which although not vested in it by or under this Act—\n\n(a) has been submitted to or left with the Council or its duly authorized officer with a view to its acceptance by the Council by way of gift or purchase or for valuation or for the giving of an opinion thereon by or on behalf of the Council or for consideration for the purpose of any prize or competition;\n\n(b) has remained in the possession or custody of the Council for a period of not less than five years; and\n\n(c) has not, after notice given as hereinafter provided, been claimed by or on behalf of the person submitting or leaving such property as aforesaid or any other person claiming such property or any interest therein.\n\nS. 16(2) amended by No. 5/1998  \ns. 3(Sch  \nitem 2).\n\n(2) Before seeking the approval of the Governor in Council to any retention exchange sale lease or disposal pursuant to the provisions of subsection (1) the Council shall give not less than 6 months' notice of its intention so to deal with the property—\n\n(a) by written notice sent by prepaid registered post to the person who submitted or left the property and addressed to him at his last known place of abode or business or, if such person be deceased, to his personal representative in like manner; or\n\n(b) by notice published in the Government Gazette and in a daily newspaper circulating generally throughout Victoria if the name or the place of abode or business of the person who submitted or left the property is not known to the Council.\n\nPt 2 Div. 2A (Heading and ss 17–17B) inserted by No. 34/2000 s. 25.\n\nDivision 2A—Management of land\n\nS. 17 amended by Nos 8357 s. 16(2), 8846 s. 6, repealed by No. 31/1994 s. 4(Sch. 2 item 58),  \nnew s. 17 inserted by No. 34/2000 s. 25.\n\n\t17 Application\n\nThis Division has effect despite anything to the contrary in the **Land Act 1958** and the **Crown Land (Reserves) Act 1978**.\n\nS. 17A  \ninserted by No. 34/2000 s. 25.\n\n\t17A Power to enter into leases\n\n(1) The Council may grant a lease of the National Gallery land or any part of that land for any purpose not inconsistent with the reservation of that land.\n\n(2) A lease granted under this section may be for a term not exceeding 30 years.\n\n(3) A lease granted under this section—\n\n(a) may contain provision for the term of the lease to be extended one or more times, but the aggregate of the initial term and any extensions of the term must not exceed 30 years; and\n\n(b) may contain provision for a lessee to remain in occupation of the land under the same terms and conditions as existed under the lease, at the discretion of the lessor, for a period of not more than 3 months from the expiry of the lease; and\n\n(c) is subject to any covenants, exceptions, reservations and conditions that are determined by the Council.\n\nS. 17B inserted by No. 34/2000 s. 25.\n\n\t17B Power to grant licences over National Gallery land\n\n(1) The Council may grant a licence to enter and use any part of the National Gallery land or any building on that land for any purpose not inconsistent with the reservation of that land.\n\n(2) A licence granted under this section—\n\n(a) may be for a period not exceeding 7 years; and\n\n(b) is subject to the terms and conditions determined by the Council.\n\nDivision 3—Financial and supplementary provisions\n\n\t18 Account to be kept\n\n(1) All moneys received by the Council shall be paid into an account to be kept by the Council.\n\n(2) All moneys expended by the Council shall be paid out of such account.\n\n(3) The foregoing provisions of this section shall not apply to any moneys received or paid out by the Council subject to and in accordance with the terms of any special trust.\n\nS. 18AA inserted by No. 61/1996 s. 80.\n\n\t18AA Borrowing and investment powers\n\nThe Council has the powers conferred on it by the **Borrowing and Investment Powers Act 1987**.\n\nS. 18A inserted by No. 29/1994 s. 11.\n\n\t18A Council may make by-laws\n\nThe Council may make by-laws not inconsistent with the regulations for or with respect to—\n\n(a) the exclusion or removal of the public or any person from any building or part of a building managed and controlled by the Council; and\n\n(b) the preservation, inspection, copying or lending of works of art under the control of the Council; and\n\n(c) the exchange, sale, leasing or other disposal by the Council of works of art in the development collection; and\n\n(d) the giving of public lectures.\n\nS. 19 amended by No. 51/2014 s. 9(Sch. 2 item 12.3)  \n(ILA s. 39B(1)).\n\n\t19 Regulations\n\n(1) The Governor in Council may make regulations for or with respect to—\n\n(a) the conduct of the proceedings of the Council;\n\n(b) the management of the affairs of the Council;\n\nS. 19(1)(c)–(g) repealed.[[3]](#endnote-4)\n\n* * * * *\n\n(h) generally, any matters or things required or authorized to be prescribed under this Act or necessary or expedient to be prescribed for carrying this Act into effect.\n\nS. 19(2)  inserted by No. 51/2014 s. 9(Sch. 2 item 12.3).\n\n(2) Any regulations made under this Act for or with respect to the issuing of film permits must not be inconsistent with the film friendly principles.\n\n\t20 Transitional provisions\n\nOn the day upon which the Council is deemed to be duly constituted—\n\n(a) the trustees of the National Gallery of Victoria shall go out of office;\n\n(b) the Council shall become and be the successor in law of the said trustees;\n\nS. 20(c) repealed by No. 9863 s. 2.\n\n* * * * *\n\n(d) the Council shall have all the rights powers and duties conferred or imposed upon the said trustees and shall be subject to all the liabilities responsibilities and obligations imposed upon or incurred by the said trustees before that day;\n\n(e) all property vested in the said trustees shall be vested in the Council;\n\nS. 20(f) amended by No. 9903 s. 33(1)  \n(Sch. 1 item 5(a)).\n\n(f) every donation gift disposition and trust of property, including money, lawfully made or declared or deemed to have been made or declared whether before or after the commencement of this Act by deed will or otherwise to or in favour of the trustees of the National Gallery or for the uses or purposes thereof shall take effect as if the same had in respect of each particular item of property comprised in such donation gift disposition or trust been made or declared to or in favour of or for the uses or purposes of the Council and in particular the several wills under which the bequests or trusts known respectively as—\n\nThe Felton Bequest\n\nThe Hugh Ramsay Bequest\n\nThe Grace Joel Bequest\n\nThe W. H. Short Bequest\n\nThe Sarah Levi Bequest\n\nThe Howard Spensley Bequest—\n\nwere made or created shall take effect as if they had been made or created to or in favour of or for the uses or purposes of the Council;\n\n(g) any reference to the trustees of the National Gallery of Victoria in any other Act or in any proclamation Order in Council regulation by-law order legal or other proceeding instrument or document shall be deemed and taken to refer to the Council;\n\n(h) all acts matters and things of a continuing nature made done or commenced by or on behalf of the trustees before that day which are of any force or effect or capable of acquiring any force or effect shall be deemed or taken to be made done or commenced by or in relation to or on behalf of the Council and shall have effect and may be continued and completed by or on behalf of or in relation to the Council accordingly.\n\nS. 21  \ninserted by No. 9903 s. 33(1)  \n(Sch. 1  \nitem 5(b)).\n\n\t21 Transitional\n\nNotwithstanding the repeal of the **State Library National Gallery National Museum and Institute of Applied Science Act 1960**, any regulations made or continued in force by that Act and which were in force immediately before the commencement of section 33 of the **Museums Act 1983** shall, so far as they relate to matters for or with respect to which regulations may be made under this Act, remain subject to this Act in full force and operation and may be amended or revoked as if they were made under this Act.\n\nPt 2 Div. 4 (Heading and s. 22)  \ninserted by No. 61/1996 s. 81.\n\nDivision 4—Further transitional provisions\n\nS. 22  \ninserted by No. 61/1996  \ns. 81.\n\n\t22 Determination of staff to be transferred\n\nThe Minister must designate in writing the officers and employees of the public service who are employed in the administration of this Act who are to become employees of the Council under section 24.\n\nS. 23 inserted by No. 61/1996 s. 82.\n\n\t23 Director\n\nThe person who immediately before the commencement of section 82 of the **Arts Institutions (Amendment) Act 1996** was the Director of the National Gallery of Victoria is deemed to be appointed by the Council as the Director.\n\nS. 24 inserted by No. 61/1996 s. 82.\n\n\t24 Transfer of staff\n\n(1) On and from the commencement of section 82 of the **Arts Institutions (Amendment) Act 1996**, any officer or employee designated under section 22—\n\n(a) becomes an employee of the Council; and\n\n(b) is entitled to remuneration, terms and conditions determined by the Minister to be no less favourable in aggregate than those which he or she received or was entitled to receive immediately before that commencement as such an officer or employee; and\n\n(c) retains any entitlement to long service leave, annual leave, sick leave or other leave accrued or accruing to that person immediately before that commencement.\n\n(2) If a person who becomes an employee of the Council under this section was, immediately before the transfer, an officer within the meaning of the **State Superannuation Act 1988** or a corresponding previous enactment, he or she continues, subject to that Act, to be an officer within the meaning of that Act while serving with the Council.\n\n(3) For the purpose of long service leave entitlements as employees of the Council of those transferred under this section, their service with the public service must be taken to be service with the Council.\n\n(4) There must be paid out of the Consolidated Fund (which is, by this subsection, appropriated to the necessary extent) any amount determined from time to time by the Treasurer after consultation with the Minister to be the component of any entitlement to pay in lieu of long service leave attributable to the service with the public service of a person transferred under this section.\n\nS. 25  \ninserted by No. 59/1998 s. 6.\n\n\t25 Saving for reconstituted Council\n\nDespite the reconstitution of the Council effected by section 5(1) of the **Arts Acts (Amendment) Act 1998**, the Council is deemed to be the same body after as before the commencement of that provision.\n\nSch.  \nrepealed by No. 9863 s. 2.\n\n* * * * *\n\n\n\nEndnotes\n\n1 General information\n\nSee [www.legislation.vic.gov.au](http://www.legislation.vic.gov.au) for Victorian Bills, Acts and current Versions of legislation and up-to-date legislative information.\n\nThe **National Gallery of Victoria Act 1966** was assented to on 13 December 1966 and came into operation on 24 May 1967: Government Gazette 24 May 1967 page 1754.\n\nINTERPRETATION OF LEGISLATION ACT 1984 (ILA)\n\nStyle changes\n\nSection 54A of the ILA authorises the making of the style changes set out in Schedule 1 to that Act.\n\nReferences to ILA s. 39B\n\nSidenotes which cite ILA s. 39B refer to section 39B of the ILA which provides that where an undivided section or clause of a Schedule is amended by the insertion of one or more subsections or subclauses, the original section or clause becomes subsection or subclause (1) and is amended by the insertion of the expression \"(1)\" at the beginning of the original section or clause.\n\nInterpretation\n\nAs from 1 January 2001, amendments to section 36 of the ILA have the following effects:\n\n• Headings\n\nAll headings included in an Act which is passed on or after 1 January 2001 form part of that Act. Any heading inserted in an Act which was passed before 1 January 2001, by an Act passed on or after 1 January 2001, forms part of that Act. This includes headings to Parts, Divisions or Subdivisions in a Schedule; sections; clauses; items; tables; columns; examples; diagrams; notes or forms. See section 36(1A)(2A).\n\n• Examples, diagrams or notes\n\nAll examples, diagrams or notes included in an Act which is passed on or after 1 January 2001 form part of that Act. Any examples, diagrams or notes inserted in an Act which was passed before 1 January 2001, by an Act passed on or after 1 January 2001, form part of that Act. See section 36(3A).\n\n• Punctuation\n\nAll punctuation included in an Act which is passed on or after 1 January 2001 forms part of that Act. Any punctuation inserted in an Act which was passed before 1 January 2001, by an Act passed on or after 1 January 2001, forms part of that Act. See section 36(3B).\n\n• Provision numbers\n\nAll provision numbers included in an Act form part of that Act, whether inserted in the Act before, on or after 1 January 2001. Provision numbers include section numbers, subsection numbers, paragraphs and subparagraphs. See section 36(3C).\n\n• Location of \"legislative items\"\n\nA \"legislative item\" is a penalty, an example or a note. As from 13 October 2004, a legislative item relating to a provision of an Act is taken to be at the foot of that provision even if it is preceded or followed by another legislative item that relates to that provision. For example, if a penalty at the foot of a provision is followed by a note, both of these legislative items will be regarded as being at the foot of that provision. See section 36B.\n\n• Other material\n\nAny explanatory memorandum, table of provisions, endnotes, index and other material printed after the Endnotes does not form part of an Act.  \nSee section 36(3)(3D)(3E).\n\n2 Table of Amendments\n\nThis publication incorporates amendments made to the **National Gallery of Victoria Act 1966** by Acts and subordinate instruments.\n\n–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––\n\n**National Gallery of Victoria Act 1972, No. 8340/1972**\n\n| Assent Date: | 5.12.72 |\n| --- | --- |\n| Commencement Date: | 5.12.72 |\n| Current State: | All of Act in operation |\n\n\n**Ministry for the Arts Act 1972, No. 8357/1972**\n\n| Assent Date: | 13.12.72 |\n| --- | --- |\n| Commencement Date: | 19.12.72: Government Gazette 19.12.72 p. 4039 |\n| Current State: | All of Act in operation |\n\n\n**National Gallery of Victoria (Development Collection) Act 1976, No. 8846/1976**\n\n| Assent Date: | 8.6.76 |\n| --- | --- |\n| Commencement Date: | 8.6.76 |\n| Current State: | All of Act in operation |\n\n\n**National Gallery of Victoria and the Victorian Arts Centre (Terms of Appointment of Members) Act 1981, No. 9600/1981**\n\n| Assent Date: | 24.11.81 |\n| --- | --- |\n| Commencement Date: | 24.11.81 |\n| Current State: | All of Act in operation |\n\n\n**Statute Law Revision (Repeals) Act 1982, No. 9863/1982**\n\n| Assent Date: | 5.1.83 |\n| --- | --- |\n| Commencement Date: | 5.1.83 |\n| Current State: | All of Act in operation |\n\n\n**Museums Act 1983, No. 9902/1983**\n\n| Assent Date: | 15.6.83 |\n| --- | --- |\n| Commencement Date: | 1.7.83: Government Gazette 22.6.83 p. 1709 |\n| Current State: | All of Act in operation |\n\n\n**Penalties and Sentences (Amendment) Act 1983, No. 9945/1983**\n\n| Assent Date: | 20.9.83 |\n| --- | --- |\n| Commencement Date: | S. 3(1)(Sch. 1 item 75) on 20.12.83: Government Gazette 14.12.83 p. 4035 |\n| Current State: | This information relates only to the provision/s amending the **National Gallery of Victoria Act 1966** |\n\n\n**Statute Law Revision Act 1984, No. 10087/1984**\n\n| Assent Date: | 22.5.84 |\n| --- | --- |\n| Commencement Date: | S. 3(1)(Sch. 1 item 177) on 22.5.84: s. 2 |\n| Current State: | This information relates only to the provision/s amending the **National Gallery of Victoria Act 1966** |\n\n\n**Planning and Environment Act 1987, No. 45/1987**\n\n| Assent Date: | 27.5.87 |\n| --- | --- |\n| Commencement Date: | S. 205(Sch. item 99) on 16.2.88: Government Gazette 10.2.88 p. 218 |\n| Current State: | This information relates only to the provision/s amending the **National Gallery of Victoria Act 1966** |\n\n\n**Arts Institutions (Amendment) Act 1994, No. 29/1994**\n\n| Assent Date: | 31.5.94 |\n| --- | --- |\n| Commencement Date: | 31.5.94 |\n| Current State: | All of Act in operation |\n\n\n**Financial Management (Consequential Amendments) Act 1994, No. 31/1994**\n\n| Assent Date: | 31.5.94 |\n| --- | --- |\n| Commencement Date: | S. 4(Sch. 2 item 58) on 1.1.95: Government Gazette 28.7.94 p. 2055 |\n| Current State: | This information relates only to the provision/s amending the **National Gallery of Victoria Act 1966** |\n\n\n**Equal Opportunity Act 1995, No. 42/1995**\n\n| Assent Date: | 14.6.95 |\n| --- | --- |\n| Commencement Date: | S. 224 on 5.10.95: Government Gazette 28.9.95 p. 2731; Sch. 2 item 28 on 1.1.96: Government Gazette 21.12.95 p. 3571 |\n| Current State: | This information relates only to the provision/s amending the **National Gallery of Victoria Act 1966** |\n\n\n**Arts Institutions (Amendment) Act 1996, No. 61/1996**\n\n| Assent Date: | 17.12.96 |\n| --- | --- |\n| Commencement Date: | S. 81 on 17.12.96: s. 2(1); ss 68, 69(a)(c), 70–77, 79, 80 on 6.2.97: Government Gazette 6.2.97 p. 257—see **Interpretation of Legislation Act 1984**; ss 69(b), 78, 82 on 1.1.98: s. 2(3) |\n| Current State: | This information relates only to the provision/s amending the **National Gallery of Victoria Act 1966** |\n\n\n**Arts Acts (Statute Law Revision) Act 1998, No. 5/1998**\n\n| Assent Date: | 21.4.98 |\n| --- | --- |\n| Commencement Date: | 21.4.98 |\n| Current State: | All of Act in operation |\n\n\n**Arts Acts (Amendment) Act 1998, No. 59/1998**\n\n| Assent Date: | 27.10.98 |\n| --- | --- |\n| Commencement Date: | Ss 5, 6 on 27.10.98: s. 2(1) |\n| Current State: | This information relates only to the provision/s amending the **National Gallery of Victoria Act 1966** |\n\n\n**Arts Legislation (Amendment) Act 2000, No. 34/2000**\n\n| Assent Date: | 6.6.00 |\n| --- | --- |\n| Commencement Date: | 1.7.00: s. 2 |\n| Current State: | All of Act in operation |\n\n\n**Public Administration Act 2004, No. 108/2004**\n\n| Assent Date: | 21.12.04 |\n| --- | --- |\n| Commencement Date: | S. 117(1)(Sch. 3 item 140) on 5.4.05: Government Gazette 31.3.05 p. 602 |\n| Current State: | This information relates only to the provision/s amending the **National Gallery of Victoria Act 1966** |\n\n\n**Public Sector Acts (Further Workplace Protection and Other Matters) Act 2006, No. 80/2006**\n\n| Assent Date: | 10.10.06 |\n| --- | --- |\n| Commencement Date: | S. 26(Sch. item 75) on 11.10.06: s. 2(1) |\n| Current State: | This information relates only to the provision/s amending the **National Gallery of Victoria Act 1966** |\n\n\n**Water (Governance) Act 2006, No. 85/2006**\n\n| Assent Date: | 17.10.06 |\n| --- | --- |\n| Commencement Date: | S. 173(Sch. 1 item 7) on 1.7.07: s. 2(3) |\n| Current State: | This information relates only to the provision/s amending the **National Gallery of Victoria Act 1966** |\n\n\n**Filming Approval Act 2014, No. 51/2014**\n\n| *Assent Date:* | 12.8.14 |\n| --- | --- |\n| *Commencement Date:* | S. 9(Sch. 2 item 12) on 1.3.15: s. 2(2) |\n| *Current State:* | This information relates only to the provision/s amending the **National Gallery of Victoria Act 1966** |\n\n\n**Parks and Crown Land Legislation Amendment Act 2017, No. 53/2017**\n\n| *Assent Date:* | 24.10.17 |\n| --- | --- |\n| *Commencement Date:* | S. 86 on 15.12.17: Special Gazette (No. 433) 12.12.17 p. 1 |\n| *Current State:* | This information relates only to the provision/s amending the **National Gallery of Victoria Act 1966** |\n\n\n–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––\n\n3 Amendments Not in Operation\n\nThere are no amendments which were Not in Operation at the date of this publication.\n\n4 Explanatory details\n\n1. S. 6(2): Section 14 of the **Arts Institutions (Amendment) Act 1994**, No. 29/1994 (*repealed*) read as follows:\n\n  14 Transitional provision\n\n  A member of the Council of Trustees of the National Gallery of Victoria who—\n\n  (a) was appointed under the Principal Act before the commencement of this section; and\n\n  (b) has held office for 9 consecutive years—\n\n  continues to be a member until the expiry of his or her current term of office but on that expiry is not eligible for re-appointment except in accordance with section 6(2A) of the Principal Act. [↑](#endnote-ref-2)\n\n2. S. 6(2A): See note 1. [↑](#endnote-ref-3)\n\n3. S. 19(1)(c)–(g):\n\n  S. 19(1)(c)(d) repealed by No. 29/1994 s. 12.\n\n  S. 19(1)(da) inserted by No. 8846 s. 7(a), repealed by No. 29/1994 s. 12.\n\n  S. 19(1)(e) repealed by No. 29/1994 s. 12.\n\n  S. 19(1)(f) amended by No. 9945 s. 3(1)(Sch. 1 item 75), repealed by No. 29/1994 s. 12.\n\n  S. 19(1)(g) repealed by No. 8846 s. 7(b). [↑](#endnote-ref-4)","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"A positive credit balance is required for all requests, including BYOK, so fallback providers remain available. Add credits at https://vercel.com/d?to=%2F%5Bteam%5D%2F%7E%2Fai%3Fmodal%3Dtop-up to continue.","source":"analysis-cron"},"summary":{"complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"Based on the available metadata, there is no evidence of significant scope change from the Act's original 1966 intent. The Act appears to have remained in force in its original form with consolidation updates, suggesting its core purpose — establishing and governing the National Gallery of Victoria — has remained consistent. However, a definitive assessment cannot be made without access to the full legislative text and amendment history."},"complexity_factors":["Extremely limited legislative text provided — only metadata and version information visible, not the actual operative provisions","Governance legislation for a cultural institution is typically straightforward compared to commercial or criminal law","Acts of this type (establishing public cultural bodies) tend to follow well-understood templates with clear roles and functions","The Act has been in force since 1966 with consolidated versions, suggesting it is a mature and relatively stable piece of legislation","Complexity score is low by default due to near-total absence of substantive content to analyse"],"plain_english_summary":"## National Gallery of Victoria Act 1966\n\nThis is a Victorian law that establishes the legal foundation for the **National Gallery of Victoria (NGV)** — Australia's oldest and most visited art museum, located in Melbourne.\n\n**What it does:**\n- Creates the NGV as a formal legal entity (giving it the ability to own property, enter contracts, and operate officially)\n- Sets out how the Gallery is governed and managed\n- Defines the powers and responsibilities of the NGV's board or trustees\n- Provides the legal authority for the Gallery to acquire, manage, and display its art collection\n\n**Who it affects:**\n- The NGV itself and its leadership/trustees\n- Staff employed by the Gallery\n- Members of the public who interact with the Gallery\n- Donors or those who gift artworks or funds to the Gallery\n\n**Why it matters:**\nWithout this Act, the NGV would have no formal legal standing to operate. It is the foundational document that keeps one of Australia's premier cultural institutions running within the law.\n\n> ⚠️ **Note:** The information provided about this Act is extremely limited — only the title, version number, and status are visible. A full analysis would require access to the complete legislative text."},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The Act has grown significantly beyond its original 1966 purpose of simply constituting a Council of Trustees. Major expansions include: (1) 1976 amendments creating a separate 'development collection' with distinct sale rules; (2) 1996 amendments adding corporate governance features (committees, delegations, conflict-of-interest rules), staff transfer mechanisms from the public service, and detailed Director appointment processes; (3) 2000 amendments adding comprehensive land management powers (leases, licences) that override other land statutes; and (4) 2014 amendments integrating filming permit regimes. The modern Act functions as a complete statutory corporation charter rather than a simple trustee constitution."},"complexity_factors":["Multiple amendment layers (22 amending Acts since 1966) creating fragmented numbering (e.g., sections 4, 4A, 4B) and extensive historical sidenotes","Cross-references to external legislation including the *Filming Approval Act 2014*, *Public Administration Act 2004*, *Borrowing and Investment Powers Act 1987*, and *Land Act 1958*","Conditional logic for selling art: different rules apply to the 'State collection' (strict approval needed) versus the 'development collection' (more flexible)","Transitional provisions spanning multiple eras (1966 original constitution, 1996 staff transfers, 1998 reconstitution savings clause)","Governance rules with nested exceptions: term limits (9 years) with exceptions for Presidents and cooling-off periods; conflict-of-interest rules with exceptions for public benefits and minor shareholdings","Delegation restrictions (cannot delegate the power to make by-laws or the power of delegation itself)"],"plain_english_summary":"This Act creates and governs the **National Gallery of Victoria (NGV)** and its governing body, the **Council of Trustees**.\n\n**What it does:**\n- **Establishes the NGV** as Victoria's major public art gallery and defines its physical location (the \"National Gallery land\").\n- **Creates the Council of Trustees**, a corporate body that acts on behalf of the Crown but takes direction from the Minister. The Council has 11 members with specific expertise requirements (e.g., one from academia, one with regional gallery experience, one from business, one from finance, plus seven ministerial nominees).\n- **Sets the rules for running the Council**: how members are appointed (3-year terms, 9-year term limits), how meetings work (quorum is a majority, can pass resolutions without meetings), conflict-of-interest rules, and how the President is chosen.\n- **Appoints a Director** as the chief executive officer who manages day-to-day operations under the Council's direction.\n- **Defines the NGV's job**: controlling the gallery and its land, conserving and promoting the State art collection, lending artworks, running public programs, advising the government on art policy, and providing leadership for galleries across Victoria.\n- **Handles money and property**: The Council can buy, sell, lease, and borrow money, but selling art from the main \"State collection\" requires Governor in Council approval and a Council resolution that the work is unnecessary. A separate \"development collection\" (art bought with special funds or donations) can be sold more freely.\n- **Manages the land**: The Council can lease gallery land for up to 30 years or grant licences for up to 7 years, overriding some other land laws.\n- **Protects decision-makers**: Members acting in good faith are protected from personal lawsuits.\n- **Deals with filming**: The Act is declared \"filming approval legislation,\" meaning film permits on gallery land must follow the principles in the *Filming Approval Act 2014*.\n\n**Who it affects:**\n- Visitors to the NGV and users of its collection.\n- Art donors and lenders.\n- Council members and staff (including transferred public servants who keep their leave and superannuation entitlements).\n- Commercial tenants leasing space in the gallery.\n- Film crews wanting to shoot on gallery property.\n\n**Why it matters:**\nThis is the legal foundation for one of Australia's most important cultural institutions. It balances the gallery's independence (as a corporate body) with ministerial oversight, protects the permanent collection from hasty disposal, and ensures professional governance through mandatory qualifications for trustees."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":5,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The original instrument established trustees to manage the Gallery. Over time the Act's scope broadened from establishing trustees to creating a corporate Council with explicit commercial powers and modern governance overlay. Amendments added: a distinct development collection regime and rules permitting the Council to trade in that collection (s.14(2A)–(2D), s.18A(c)); land management powers allowing leases up to 30 years and licences up to 7 years (s.17A, s.17B); borrowing and investment powers via the Borrowing and Investment Powers Act (s.18AA); application of the Public Administration Act to members (s.6(3)); and inclusion as filming approval legislation with film‑permit constraints linked to film‑friendly principles (s.4B, s.19(2)). These changes move the Act from a purely custodial/administrative statute to one that combines custodial protection with explicit commercial and regulatory tools, while retaining executive oversight through Ministerial and Governor in Council approvals (s.5B, s.6, s.14(2), s.12)."},"complexity_factors":["Cross‑references to multiple other Acts (Filming Approval Act 2014, Borrowing and Investment Powers Act 1987, Public Administration Act 2004) which create layered legal effects (s.4B, s.18AA, s.6(3), s.19(2)).","Mixture of custodial constraints (sale of State collection requiring Governor in Council approval, s.14(2)) and commercial powers (leasing, licensing, by‑laws, s.17A, s.17B, s.18A) requiring careful operational policy rules.","Multiple appointment and approval gates (Governor in Council appointments, Ministerial approvals, Governor in Council approvals for certain disposals) that allocate decision‑making across actors (s.6, s.12(3),(5), s.14(2)).","Detailed transitional and staff transfer provisions preserving accrued entitlements and requiring Consolidated Fund contributions (s.22–24), which carry fiscal and administrative complexity.","Delegation and committee arrangements that distribute operational authority within the Council but preserve limits on delegation (s.11A, s.11B).","Conflict of interest and governance rules that require formal disclosures and may invalidate votes if not followed (s.9B), thus adding procedural compliance.","The Act has been amended many times; the text contains historical inserts and repeals which create potential interpretive traps (table of amendments and endnotes)."],"plain_english_summary":"# What this law does (mechanics first)\n\n- It creates a corporate body called the Council of Trustees of the National Gallery of Victoria and makes that Council the legal owner and manager of the Gallery and its State collection (s.5, s.20(f)).\n- The Council represents the Crown when it performs its functions (s.5A) and is subject to the direction and control of the Minister (s.5B).\n- The Council has 11 members appointed by the Governor in Council with specified categories for some positions and seven ministerial nominations (s.6(1)). Members hold terms up to three years, may be re‑appointed subject to a 9‑year consecutive cap and other rules (s.6(2), s.6(2A)). The Governor in Council appoints the President (s.8).\n- The Council must meet at least six times a year; it may pass resolutions without a meeting, and it must follow conflict‑of‑interest rules for members (s.8(8), s.9A, s.9B).\n- The Council appoints a Director as its chief executive; the appointment needs Ministerial approval and the Minister must approve removal (s.12(2)–(5)). The Council may employ staff necessary to carry out its functions (s.12A).\n- Core functions: control, operate, maintain and promote the National Gallery and its land; conserve, develop and promote the State collection; run public programs and exhibitions; provide related services including publication and reproductions; and do other functions approved by the Minister (s.13(1)(a)–(d),(ca),(h),(i)).\n- Powers and commercial operations: the Council may enter contracts, grant leases and licences over National Gallery land (with limits) and otherwise do things necessary to carry out its functions (s.13A, s.17A, s.17B). It keeps its own accounts and can borrow under the Borrowing and Investment Powers Act (s.18, s.18AA).\n- Treatment of works of art: the State collection is protected against sale or disposal without Governor in Council approval (s.14(2)). A separate \"development collection\" may be acquired and may be exchanged, sold or otherwise dealt with by the Council subject to by‑laws and specified trust constraints (s.14(2A)–(2D), s.18A(c)).\n- Governance tools: the Council can make by‑laws (s.18A) and the Governor in Council may make regulations; film permits issued under this Act must be consistent with film‑friendly principles and the Filming Approval Act (s.19(2), s.4B).\n- Staff and transitional matters: the Act includes provisions for transferring public service staff to the Council, preserving their leave entitlements and continuing long‑service leave arrangements with contributions from the Consolidated Fund (s.22–24).\n- Legal protections: trustees and members are protected from actions for bona fide exercise of powers (s.15). The Council may also accept conditional donations and lend works of art (s.14(4)–(5)).\n\n# What the Act says it is for (official claim)\n\nThe Act is \"an Act to constitute a Council of Trustees of the National Gallery of Victoria and for other purposes.\" That statement frames the purpose as establishing an institutional governance arrangement for the Gallery and giving the Council the functions and powers needed to run it (preamble; s.5; s.13).\n\n# Testing the official rationale against costs, incentives and trade‑offs\n\n- Who pays: the Council must keep its own account for receipts and expenditures (s.18). The Consolidated Fund is explicitly tapped for a component of long service leave payments when staff are transferred (s.24(4)). The Act also enables revenue generation by leasing and licensing National Gallery land and by commercial operations (s.17A, s.17B, s.13(1)(d)).\n\n- Who decides: appointments are made by the Governor in Council (s.6(1)); the Minister nominates seven members (s.6(1)(e)) and can direct and control the Council in exercising its functions (s.5B). The Governor in Council must approve sale or disposal of works in the State collection (s.14(2)). The Council can delegate powers to the Director, committees or staff (s.11B).\n\n- Incentives and behaviour changes: the Act gives the Council explicit commercial tools (leases, licences, contracting powers, by‑laws) that create incentives to generate revenue and to enter commercial arrangements (s.13A, s.17A, s.17B, s.18A). At the same time it constrains monetisation of the core State collection by requiring high‑level approval for sale (s.14(2)), while allowing more flexible dealing with the development collection (s.14(2A)–(2C)).\n\n- Trade‑offs and opportunity costs: the rule denying disposal of State collection works without Governor in Council approval preserves custodial protection (s.14(2)) but limits the Council's ability to monetise or restructure the collection quickly. Permitting leases up to 30 years (s.17A(2)) can create longer‑term commercial income but also ties up prime public land for extended periods (s.17A(3)).\n\n- Compliance and administrative burden: members are subject to the Public Administration Act in respect of their office (s.6(3)), conflict disclosure and exclusion rules apply (s.9B), and the Council must maintain accounts and follow notification procedures for unclaimed property (s.18, s.16). These rules impose operational record‑keeping and governance tasks on the Council.\n\n- Bureaucratic discretion and approval gates: the Minister's power to direct the Council (s.5B), the Governor in Council's role in appointments and approvals (s.6, s.14(2)), and the requirement for Ministerial approval for the Director's appointment/removal (s.12(3),(5)) make certain major decisions dependent on executive approval rather than solely on the Council's independent judgment.\n\n- Effects on private enterprise and competition: the Act creates opportunities for private parties to contract with the Council, to lease or licence space on National Gallery land, and to obtain film permits consistent with film‑friendly principles (s.13A(2)(a), s.17A, s.17B, s.19(2), s.4B). It also allows the Council to sell reproductions and publications (s.13(1)(d)). These provisions enable private commercial activity connected to the Gallery but do not change competition law or broadly alter market structure.\n\n- Risks the text creates (mechanisms, not labels): the concentration of appointment power with the Governor in Council and the Minister (s.6(1), s.5B), combined with Ministerial approval for key personnel decisions (s.12(3),(5)), means political or executive oversight is built into governance. Conflict‑of‑interest rules (s.9B) create a statutory control but do not eliminate the influence that appointment and direction powers confer.\n\n# Who pays, who benefits, who bears risk (plain)\n\n- Primary payers: the public purse for certain staff transition liabilities (s.24(4)); users and commercial tenants if Council charges for licences/leases; donors may impose conditions on gifts (s.14(4)).\n- Primary decision‑makers: the Minister and Governor in Council for appointments and approval of certain disposals (s.6, s.14(2), s.5B); the Council and its Director for day‑to‑day management and contracting (s.12(2), s.13A).\n- Risk bearers: the Council bears operational and commercial risk for contracts, leases and asset management; the public bears custodial risk over the State collection because disposal is tightly controlled (s.14(2)).\n\n# Implementation and compliance risks\n\n- Transferring public servants to the Council requires Ministerial designation and maintenance of entitlements (s.22–24), which is administratively detailed and carries cost obligations.\n- The Council's ability to act commercially (leasing, licensing, by‑laws) creates operational risk and requires commercial capability in governance and staff (s.17A, s.17B, s.18A).\n\n# Bottom line (neutral, mechanical)\n\nThe Act sets up a Crown‑representative corporate Council to own and run the National Gallery, gives it operational, commercial and custodial powers (with specific limits on disposal of the State collection), places it under Ministerial direction and embeds procedures for appointments, conflicts, staff transfer and financial management. The law creates both commercial tools (leases, licences, contracting, borrowing) and custodial safeguards (sale approvals and trust rules for the development collection), shifting operational responsibilities to the Council while keeping political and executive oversight in discrete approval gates (see ss.5B, 6, 12, 14, 17A, 18, 18AA, 19(2))."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/national-gallery-of-victoria-act-1966","history":"/api/acts/national-gallery-of-victoria-act-1966/history","analysis":"/api/acts/national-gallery-of-victoria-act-1966/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/national-gallery-of-victoria-act-1966/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/national-gallery-of-victoria-act-1966/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/national-gallery-of-victoria-act-1966/documents"}}