{"id":"qld:act-1994-050","name":"Rural and Regional Adjustment Act 1994","slug":"rural-and-regional-adjustment-act-1994","collection":"act","jurisdiction":"qld","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":"50 of 1994","makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":104736,"registerId":"qld-act-1994-050-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-03","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"pt.1","sectionType":"part","heading":"Preliminary","content":"# Preliminary","sortOrder":0},{"sectionNumber":"sec.1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Short title","content":"### sec.1 Short title\n\nThis Act may be cited as the Rural and Regional Adjustment Act 1994 .\ns 1 sub 2004 No. 28 s 4","sortOrder":1},{"sectionNumber":"sec.2","sectionType":"section","heading":null,"content":"### Section sec.2\n\ns 2 om 2004 No. 28 s 5","sortOrder":2},{"sectionNumber":"sec.3","sectionType":"section","heading":"Object of Act","content":"### sec.3 Object of Act\n\nThe object of this Act is to establish the Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority primarily to administer assistance schemes that foster the development of a more productive and sustainable rural and regional sector in Queensland.\nThe authority may also—\nsupport the State’s economy by administering schemes to give assistance to primary producers, small businesses or other elements of the State’s economy—\nin periods when they are experiencing temporary difficulty; or\nto otherwise benefit the State’s economy; and\nsupport communities in the State and build its own effectiveness by administering schemes to give assistance that benefits these communities, including, for example, by giving assistance to persons and organisations that contribute to these communities; and\ncommunity service, sporting and cultural organisations\ngive assistance and build its own effectiveness by administering schemes or parts of schemes for the Commonwealth and other States in rural and regional sectors outside Queensland.\nconducting financial analysis of applications for assistance under an authorised interstate scheme\nreviewing an authorised interstate scheme\nproviding advice on applications for financial assistance under an authorised interstate scheme\ns 3 amd 2004 No. 28 s 6\nsub 2008 No. 22 s 4\namd 2013 No. 41 s 73 ; 2017 No. 7 s 123\n(sec.3-ssec.1) The object of this Act is to establish the Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority primarily to administer assistance schemes that foster the development of a more productive and sustainable rural and regional sector in Queensland.\n(sec.3-ssec.2) The authority may also— support the State’s economy by administering schemes to give assistance to primary producers, small businesses or other elements of the State’s economy— in periods when they are experiencing temporary difficulty; or to otherwise benefit the State’s economy; and support communities in the State and build its own effectiveness by administering schemes to give assistance that benefits these communities, including, for example, by giving assistance to persons and organisations that contribute to these communities; and community service, sporting and cultural organisations give assistance and build its own effectiveness by administering schemes or parts of schemes for the Commonwealth and other States in rural and regional sectors outside Queensland. conducting financial analysis of applications for assistance under an authorised interstate scheme reviewing an authorised interstate scheme providing advice on applications for financial assistance under an authorised interstate scheme\n- (a) support the State’s economy by administering schemes to give assistance to primary producers, small businesses or other elements of the State’s economy— (i) in periods when they are experiencing temporary difficulty; or (ii) to otherwise benefit the State’s economy; and\n- (i) in periods when they are experiencing temporary difficulty; or\n- (ii) to otherwise benefit the State’s economy; and\n- (b) support communities in the State and build its own effectiveness by administering schemes to give assistance that benefits these communities, including, for example, by giving assistance to persons and organisations that contribute to these communities; and Examples of organisations that contribute to communities— community service, sporting and cultural organisations\n- (c) give assistance and build its own effectiveness by administering schemes or parts of schemes for the Commonwealth and other States in rural and regional sectors outside Queensland. Examples of administering parts of schemes— • conducting financial analysis of applications for assistance under an authorised interstate scheme • reviewing an authorised interstate scheme • providing advice on applications for financial assistance under an authorised interstate scheme\n- • conducting financial analysis of applications for assistance under an authorised interstate scheme\n- • reviewing an authorised interstate scheme\n- • providing advice on applications for financial assistance under an authorised interstate scheme\n- (i) in periods when they are experiencing temporary difficulty; or\n- (ii) to otherwise benefit the State’s economy; and\n- • conducting financial analysis of applications for assistance under an authorised interstate scheme\n- • reviewing an authorised interstate scheme\n- • providing advice on applications for financial assistance under an authorised interstate scheme","sortOrder":3},{"sectionNumber":"sec.4","sectionType":"section","heading":"Definitions","content":"### sec.4 Definitions\n\nThe dictionary in schedule 1 defines particular words used in this Act.\ngovernment owned corporation ...\ns 4 def government owned corporation om 2004 No. 28 s 7 (1)\npublic accounts ...\ns 4 def public accounts om 1999 No. 29 s 50 sch\ns 4 amd 2017 No. 7 s 124 (3)","sortOrder":4},{"sectionNumber":"pt.2","sectionType":"part","heading":"Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority","content":"# Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority","sortOrder":5},{"sectionNumber":"pt.2-div.1","sectionType":"division","heading":"Establishment of authority","content":"## Establishment of authority","sortOrder":6},{"sectionNumber":"sec.5","sectionType":"section","heading":"Establishment of authority","content":"### sec.5 Establishment of authority\n\nThe Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority is established.\ns 5 sub 2004 No. 28 s 9\namd 2017 No. 7 s 126","sortOrder":7},{"sectionNumber":"sec.6","sectionType":"section","heading":"Legal status of authority","content":"### sec.6 Legal status of authority\n\nThe authority—\nis a body corporate; and\nhas a seal; and\nmay sue and be sued in its corporate name.\n- (a) is a body corporate; and\n- (b) has a seal; and\n- (c) may sue and be sued in its corporate name.","sortOrder":8},{"sectionNumber":"sec.7","sectionType":"section","heading":"Authority represents the State","content":"### sec.7 Authority represents the State\n\nThe authority represents the State.\nWithout limiting subsection (1) , the authority has all the privileges and immunities of the State.\ns 7 amd 2001 No. 45 s 29 sch 3\n(sec.7-ssec.1) The authority represents the State.\n(sec.7-ssec.2) Without limiting subsection (1) , the authority has all the privileges and immunities of the State.","sortOrder":9},{"sectionNumber":"pt.2-div.2","sectionType":"division","heading":"Functions and powers of authority","content":"## Functions and powers of authority","sortOrder":10},{"sectionNumber":"sec.8","sectionType":"section","heading":"Authority’s functions","content":"### sec.8 Authority’s functions\n\nThe authority’s primary function is to put approved assistance schemes into effect by—\nensuring the schemes are properly and fairly administered; and\ndirectly giving the assistance the schemes provide for.\nThe other functions of the authority are—\nto arrange for education, training and advice to applicants under approved assistance schemes; and\nto negotiate for assistance funding with all levels of government; and\nto carry out research into, develop policies on and give advice to the Minister about—\nissues affecting persons likely to receive assistance under this Act; and\nthe financial performance and sustainability of the rural and regional sector in Queensland, in particular, primary producers, small business and other components of the State’s economy; and\nareas of need, and assistance, for farmers in financial distress and farming businesses that are unlikely to be financially viable in the long-term, including, for example, ways to restructure a farm debt or to ensure a farmer who stops carrying on a farming business remains in the best possible financial position; and\nto review, and give advice to the Minister on—\nproposed assistance schemes; and\nthe implementation of approved assistance schemes; and\neconomic and other conditions in the rural and regional sectors; and\nto consult, and liaise with—\ncommercial lenders and financial advisers; and\npublic sector units with the function of helping the rural, regional and small business sectors of the economy, and equivalent entities of other States or the Commonwealth; and\norganisations representing the interests of persons likely to receive assistance under this Act; and\nto partner with commercial lenders and financial advisors to—\nperform another function under this subsection; and\nfurther the object of this Act under section 3 ; and\nto administer authorised interstate schemes or parts of the schemes; and\nto perform functions incidental to a function under another paragraph of this subsection; and\nto perform other functions given to the authority under this Act or another Act; and\nother functions prescribed by regulation.\ns 8 amd 1996 No. 37 s 147 sch 2 ; 2004 No. 28 s 10 ; 2008 No. 22 s 6 ; 2013 No. 41 s 74 ; 2017 No. 7 s 127\n(sec.8-ssec.1) The authority’s primary function is to put approved assistance schemes into effect by— ensuring the schemes are properly and fairly administered; and directly giving the assistance the schemes provide for.\n(sec.8-ssec.2) The other functions of the authority are— to arrange for education, training and advice to applicants under approved assistance schemes; and to negotiate for assistance funding with all levels of government; and to carry out research into, develop policies on and give advice to the Minister about— issues affecting persons likely to receive assistance under this Act; and the financial performance and sustainability of the rural and regional sector in Queensland, in particular, primary producers, small business and other components of the State’s economy; and areas of need, and assistance, for farmers in financial distress and farming businesses that are unlikely to be financially viable in the long-term, including, for example, ways to restructure a farm debt or to ensure a farmer who stops carrying on a farming business remains in the best possible financial position; and to review, and give advice to the Minister on— proposed assistance schemes; and the implementation of approved assistance schemes; and economic and other conditions in the rural and regional sectors; and to consult, and liaise with— commercial lenders and financial advisers; and public sector units with the function of helping the rural, regional and small business sectors of the economy, and equivalent entities of other States or the Commonwealth; and organisations representing the interests of persons likely to receive assistance under this Act; and to partner with commercial lenders and financial advisors to— perform another function under this subsection; and further the object of this Act under section 3 ; and to administer authorised interstate schemes or parts of the schemes; and to perform functions incidental to a function under another paragraph of this subsection; and to perform other functions given to the authority under this Act or another Act; and other functions prescribed by regulation.\n- (a) ensuring the schemes are properly and fairly administered; and\n- (b) directly giving the assistance the schemes provide for.\n- (a) to arrange for education, training and advice to applicants under approved assistance schemes; and\n- (b) to negotiate for assistance funding with all levels of government; and\n- (c) to carry out research into, develop policies on and give advice to the Minister about— (i) issues affecting persons likely to receive assistance under this Act; and (ii) the financial performance and sustainability of the rural and regional sector in Queensland, in particular, primary producers, small business and other components of the State’s economy; and (iii) areas of need, and assistance, for farmers in financial distress and farming businesses that are unlikely to be financially viable in the long-term, including, for example, ways to restructure a farm debt or to ensure a farmer who stops carrying on a farming business remains in the best possible financial position; and\n- (i) issues affecting persons likely to receive assistance under this Act; and\n- (ii) the financial performance and sustainability of the rural and regional sector in Queensland, in particular, primary producers, small business and other components of the State’s economy; and\n- (iii) areas of need, and assistance, for farmers in financial distress and farming businesses that are unlikely to be financially viable in the long-term, including, for example, ways to restructure a farm debt or to ensure a farmer who stops carrying on a farming business remains in the best possible financial position; and\n- (d) to review, and give advice to the Minister on— (i) proposed assistance schemes; and (ii) the implementation of approved assistance schemes; and (iii) economic and other conditions in the rural and regional sectors; and\n- (i) proposed assistance schemes; and\n- (ii) the implementation of approved assistance schemes; and\n- (iii) economic and other conditions in the rural and regional sectors; and\n- (e) to consult, and liaise with— (i) commercial lenders and financial advisers; and (ii) public sector units with the function of helping the rural, regional and small business sectors of the economy, and equivalent entities of other States or the Commonwealth; and (iii) organisations representing the interests of persons likely to receive assistance under this Act; and\n- (i) commercial lenders and financial advisers; and\n- (ii) public sector units with the function of helping the rural, regional and small business sectors of the economy, and equivalent entities of other States or the Commonwealth; and\n- (iii) organisations representing the interests of persons likely to receive assistance under this Act; and\n- (f) to partner with commercial lenders and financial advisors to— (i) perform another function under this subsection; and (ii) further the object of this Act under section 3 ; and\n- (i) perform another function under this subsection; and\n- (ii) further the object of this Act under section 3 ; and\n- (g) to administer authorised interstate schemes or parts of the schemes; and\n- (h) to perform functions incidental to a function under another paragraph of this subsection; and\n- (i) to perform other functions given to the authority under this Act or another Act; and\n- (j) other functions prescribed by regulation.\n- (i) issues affecting persons likely to receive assistance under this Act; and\n- (ii) the financial performance and sustainability of the rural and regional sector in Queensland, in particular, primary producers, small business and other components of the State’s economy; and\n- (iii) areas of need, and assistance, for farmers in financial distress and farming businesses that are unlikely to be financially viable in the long-term, including, for example, ways to restructure a farm debt or to ensure a farmer who stops carrying on a farming business remains in the best possible financial position; and\n- (i) proposed assistance schemes; and\n- (ii) the implementation of approved assistance schemes; and\n- (iii) economic and other conditions in the rural and regional sectors; and\n- (i) commercial lenders and financial advisers; and\n- (ii) public sector units with the function of helping the rural, regional and small business sectors of the economy, and equivalent entities of other States or the Commonwealth; and\n- (iii) organisations representing the interests of persons likely to receive assistance under this Act; and\n- (i) perform another function under this subsection; and\n- (ii) further the object of this Act under section 3 ; and","sortOrder":11},{"sectionNumber":"sec.9","sectionType":"section","heading":"Authority’s powers","content":"### sec.9 Authority’s powers\n\nThe authority has all the powers of an individual, and may, for example—\nenter into contracts, including contracts for loans; and\nacquire, hold, deal with and dispose of property; and\nappoint agents and attorneys; and\ncharge for, and fix conditions for the supply of, the goods, services and information it supplies; and\nengage consultants; and\ndo anything else necessary or convenient to be done for, or in connection with, the performance of its functions.\nWithout limiting subsection (1) , the authority has the powers given to it under this or another Act.\nThe authority may exercise its powers inside or outside Queensland.\ns 9 amd 2008 No. 22 s 7 ; 2017 No. 7 s 128\n(sec.9-ssec.1) The authority has all the powers of an individual, and may, for example— enter into contracts, including contracts for loans; and acquire, hold, deal with and dispose of property; and appoint agents and attorneys; and charge for, and fix conditions for the supply of, the goods, services and information it supplies; and engage consultants; and do anything else necessary or convenient to be done for, or in connection with, the performance of its functions.\n(sec.9-ssec.2) Without limiting subsection (1) , the authority has the powers given to it under this or another Act.\n(sec.9-ssec.3) The authority may exercise its powers inside or outside Queensland.\n- (a) enter into contracts, including contracts for loans; and\n- (b) acquire, hold, deal with and dispose of property; and\n- (c) appoint agents and attorneys; and\n- (d) charge for, and fix conditions for the supply of, the goods, services and information it supplies; and\n- (e) engage consultants; and\n- (f) do anything else necessary or convenient to be done for, or in connection with, the performance of its functions.","sortOrder":12},{"sectionNumber":"sec.9A","sectionType":"section","heading":"Ministerial direction or notice","content":"### sec.9A Ministerial direction or notice\n\nThe Minister may give the authority a written direction about the performance of the authority’s functions or the exercise of its powers, or written notice of a public sector policy, if the Minister is satisfied it is necessary to give the direction or notice in the public interest.\nThe authority must ensure the direction or policy is complied with.\nHowever, before giving the direction or notice the Minister must—\nconsult with the authority; and\nask the authority to advise whether, in its opinion, complying with the direction or policy would not be in its financial interest.\nThe Minister must gazette a copy of the direction or notice within 21 days after the direction or notice is given.\nThe authority—\nmust include in its annual report, prepared under the Financial Accountability Act 2009 , section 63 , details of any direction or notice given by the Minister under subsection (1) during the financial year to which the report relates; and\nmay include in the report a comment on the effect on the authority’s activities of complying with the direction or policy.\ns 9A ins 2004 No. 28 s 11\namd 2009 No. 9 s 136 sch 1\n(sec.9A-ssec.1) The Minister may give the authority a written direction about the performance of the authority’s functions or the exercise of its powers, or written notice of a public sector policy, if the Minister is satisfied it is necessary to give the direction or notice in the public interest.\n(sec.9A-ssec.2) The authority must ensure the direction or policy is complied with.\n(sec.9A-ssec.3) However, before giving the direction or notice the Minister must— consult with the authority; and ask the authority to advise whether, in its opinion, complying with the direction or policy would not be in its financial interest.\n(sec.9A-ssec.4) The Minister must gazette a copy of the direction or notice within 21 days after the direction or notice is given.\n(sec.9A-ssec.5) The authority— must include in its annual report, prepared under the Financial Accountability Act 2009 , section 63 , details of any direction or notice given by the Minister under subsection (1) during the financial year to which the report relates; and may include in the report a comment on the effect on the authority’s activities of complying with the direction or policy.\n- (a) consult with the authority; and\n- (b) ask the authority to advise whether, in its opinion, complying with the direction or policy would not be in its financial interest.\n- (a) must include in its annual report, prepared under the Financial Accountability Act 2009 , section 63 , details of any direction or notice given by the Minister under subsection (1) during the financial year to which the report relates; and\n- (b) may include in the report a comment on the effect on the authority’s activities of complying with the direction or policy.","sortOrder":13},{"sectionNumber":"pt.3","sectionType":"part","heading":"Financial assistance","content":"# Financial assistance","sortOrder":14},{"sectionNumber":"sec.10","sectionType":"section","heading":"Approved schemes","content":"### sec.10 Approved schemes\n\nThe authority may give financial assistance only under an approved scheme.\nFinancial assistance includes making loans on terms allowed under an approved scheme.\ns 10 prev s 10 om 1996 No. 54 s 9 sch\npres s 10 ins 2008 No. 22 s 8\namd 2017 No. 7 s 129\n(sec.10-ssec.1) The authority may give financial assistance only under an approved scheme.\n(sec.10-ssec.2) Financial assistance includes making loans on terms allowed under an approved scheme.","sortOrder":15},{"sectionNumber":"sec.11","sectionType":"section","heading":"Approved assistance schemes","content":"### sec.11 Approved assistance schemes\n\nAn approved assistance scheme is a scheme that—\nstates the purpose and nature of financial assistance that may be given; and\nidentifies the categories of persons eligible to receive the assistance; and\nis approved under a regulation.\nA regulation approving a scheme must set out the scheme in detail.\nAn approved assistance scheme—\nmay include conditions on which financial assistance must be given; and\nmay provide for—\npayments into the consolidated fund or a fund or the departmental accounts of a department of amounts of the authority’s assistance funds associated with the scheme; and\nwrite-offs to loan balances.\nA regulation may also approve a scheme if—\nthe scheme is established by the Commonwealth or another State or an entity that represents the State, the Commonwealth or another State; and\nthe purpose of the scheme is consistent with the object of this Act.\nAn assistance scheme approved under subsection (4) is also an approved assistance scheme for this Act.\ns 11 amd 1999 No. 29 s 50 sch ; 2004 No. 28 s 12 ; 2008 No. 22 s 9\n(sec.11-ssec.1) An approved assistance scheme is a scheme that— states the purpose and nature of financial assistance that may be given; and identifies the categories of persons eligible to receive the assistance; and is approved under a regulation.\n(sec.11-ssec.2) A regulation approving a scheme must set out the scheme in detail.\n(sec.11-ssec.3) An approved assistance scheme— may include conditions on which financial assistance must be given; and may provide for— payments into the consolidated fund or a fund or the departmental accounts of a department of amounts of the authority’s assistance funds associated with the scheme; and write-offs to loan balances.\n(sec.11-ssec.4) A regulation may also approve a scheme if— the scheme is established by the Commonwealth or another State or an entity that represents the State, the Commonwealth or another State; and the purpose of the scheme is consistent with the object of this Act.\n(sec.11-ssec.5) An assistance scheme approved under subsection (4) is also an approved assistance scheme for this Act.\n- (a) states the purpose and nature of financial assistance that may be given; and\n- (b) identifies the categories of persons eligible to receive the assistance; and\n- (c) is approved under a regulation.\n- (a) may include conditions on which financial assistance must be given; and\n- (b) may provide for— (i) payments into the consolidated fund or a fund or the departmental accounts of a department of amounts of the authority’s assistance funds associated with the scheme; and (ii) write-offs to loan balances.\n- (i) payments into the consolidated fund or a fund or the departmental accounts of a department of amounts of the authority’s assistance funds associated with the scheme; and\n- (ii) write-offs to loan balances.\n- (i) payments into the consolidated fund or a fund or the departmental accounts of a department of amounts of the authority’s assistance funds associated with the scheme; and\n- (ii) write-offs to loan balances.\n- (a) the scheme is established by the Commonwealth or another State or an entity that represents the State, the Commonwealth or another State; and\n- (b) the purpose of the scheme is consistent with the object of this Act.","sortOrder":16},{"sectionNumber":"sec.11A","sectionType":"section","heading":"Authorisation for interstate schemes","content":"### sec.11A Authorisation for interstate schemes\n\nThis section applies in relation to a scheme, other than an approved assistance scheme, established by the Commonwealth or another State or an entity that represents the Commonwealth or another State.\nThe authority must not tender for the administration of the scheme or a part of the scheme, or agree to administer the scheme or a part of the scheme, unless the Minister has authorised the authority to enter into arrangements for the administration of the scheme or part.\nThe Minister may give authorisation only if satisfied the scheme’s main purpose is to—\nfoster the development of the rural and regional sector in another State; or\ngive assistance to primary producers or small businesses in another State in periods when they are experiencing temporary difficulty.\nAuthorisation may be given on conditions the Minister considers appropriate.\nThe authority must give the Minister any information the Minister asks for about a tender or arrangement that the authority has made or proposes to make for the administration of the scheme or part of the scheme.\nHowever, subsection (5) does not apply to the extent that giving the information would contravene a confidentiality agreement to which the authority is a party.\ns 11A ins 2008 No. 22 s 10\namd 2013 No. 41 s 75\n(sec.11A-ssec.1) This section applies in relation to a scheme, other than an approved assistance scheme, established by the Commonwealth or another State or an entity that represents the Commonwealth or another State.\n(sec.11A-ssec.2) The authority must not tender for the administration of the scheme or a part of the scheme, or agree to administer the scheme or a part of the scheme, unless the Minister has authorised the authority to enter into arrangements for the administration of the scheme or part.\n(sec.11A-ssec.3) The Minister may give authorisation only if satisfied the scheme’s main purpose is to— foster the development of the rural and regional sector in another State; or give assistance to primary producers or small businesses in another State in periods when they are experiencing temporary difficulty.\n(sec.11A-ssec.4) Authorisation may be given on conditions the Minister considers appropriate.\n(sec.11A-ssec.5) The authority must give the Minister any information the Minister asks for about a tender or arrangement that the authority has made or proposes to make for the administration of the scheme or part of the scheme.\n(sec.11A-ssec.6) However, subsection (5) does not apply to the extent that giving the information would contravene a confidentiality agreement to which the authority is a party.\n- (a) foster the development of the rural and regional sector in another State; or\n- (b) give assistance to primary producers or small businesses in another State in periods when they are experiencing temporary difficulty.","sortOrder":17},{"sectionNumber":"sec.12","sectionType":"section","heading":"Administering approved schemes","content":"### sec.12 Administering approved schemes\n\nIn administering an approved scheme, the authority may—\nassess and decide applications for assistance under the scheme; and\ncancel the provision of assistance; and\nput conditions on the giving of assistance; and\nchange the arrangements for the repayment of debts to the authority; and\ndecline to deal with applications made by persons previously refused assistance under the scheme; and\ndecide its own procedures; and\nkeep operational accounts with financial institutions within Australia.\nHowever, in administering an approved scheme, the authority must comply with—\nthe contents of the scheme; and\nagreements entered into between the authority and persons receiving assistance under the scheme.\ns 12 amd 1997 No. 17 s 74 sch ; 2008 No. 22 s 11\n(sec.12-ssec.1) In administering an approved scheme, the authority may— assess and decide applications for assistance under the scheme; and cancel the provision of assistance; and put conditions on the giving of assistance; and change the arrangements for the repayment of debts to the authority; and decline to deal with applications made by persons previously refused assistance under the scheme; and decide its own procedures; and keep operational accounts with financial institutions within Australia.\n(sec.12-ssec.2) However, in administering an approved scheme, the authority must comply with— the contents of the scheme; and agreements entered into between the authority and persons receiving assistance under the scheme.\n- (a) assess and decide applications for assistance under the scheme; and\n- (b) cancel the provision of assistance; and\n- (c) put conditions on the giving of assistance; and\n- (d) change the arrangements for the repayment of debts to the authority; and\n- (e) decline to deal with applications made by persons previously refused assistance under the scheme; and\n- (f) decide its own procedures; and\n- (g) keep operational accounts with financial institutions within Australia.\n- (a) the contents of the scheme; and\n- (b) agreements entered into between the authority and persons receiving assistance under the scheme.","sortOrder":18},{"sectionNumber":"sec.13","sectionType":"section","heading":"Funding of approved schemes","content":"### sec.13 Funding of approved schemes\n\nAmounts of financial assistance given by the authority under an approved scheme are to be drawn from the authority’s assistance funds.\ns 13 amd 2008 No. 22 s 12","sortOrder":19},{"sectionNumber":"pt.3A","sectionType":"part","heading":"Review of decisions","content":"# Review of decisions","sortOrder":20},{"sectionNumber":"sec.13A","sectionType":"section","heading":"Who may apply for internal review","content":"### sec.13A Who may apply for internal review\n\nA person who is dissatisfied by a decision of the authority under section 12 (1) (a) to (e) or section 43 (2) , in relation to an approved scheme, may apply to the chief executive officer for an internal review of the decision.\ns 13A ins 2004 No. 28 s 13\namd 2008 No. 22 s 13","sortOrder":21},{"sectionNumber":"sec.13B","sectionType":"section","heading":"How to apply for internal review","content":"### sec.13B How to apply for internal review\n\nAn application for internal review of a decision must be—\nmade in the approved form; and\nsupported by enough information to enable the chief executive officer to decide the application; and\nmade within 20 business days after the person receives notice of the decision.\nHowever, the chief executive officer may extend the time for applying for an internal review.\nThe decision is stayed until the chief executive makes a decision under section 13C .\ns 13B ins 2004 No. 28 s 13\n(sec.13B-ssec.1) An application for internal review of a decision must be— made in the approved form; and supported by enough information to enable the chief executive officer to decide the application; and made within 20 business days after the person receives notice of the decision.\n(sec.13B-ssec.2) However, the chief executive officer may extend the time for applying for an internal review.\n(sec.13B-ssec.3) The decision is stayed until the chief executive makes a decision under section 13C .\n- (a) made in the approved form; and\n- (b) supported by enough information to enable the chief executive officer to decide the application; and\n- (c) made within 20 business days after the person receives notice of the decision.","sortOrder":22},{"sectionNumber":"sec.13C","sectionType":"section","heading":"Review decision","content":"### sec.13C Review decision\n\nThe chief executive officer must, within 30 business days after receiving the application—\nreview the decision (the original decision ); and\nmake a decision (the review decision ) to—\nconfirm the original decision; or\namend the original decision; or\nsubstitute another decision for the original decision; and\ngive the applicant notice (the review notice ) of the review decision.\nIf the review decision is not the decision sought by the applicant, the review notice must also state the reasons for the review decision.\nIf the chief executive officer does not comply with subsection (1) , the chief executive officer is taken to have made a decision confirming the original decision.\ns 13C ins 2004 No. 28 s 13\n(sec.13C-ssec.1) The chief executive officer must, within 30 business days after receiving the application— review the decision (the original decision ); and make a decision (the review decision ) to— confirm the original decision; or amend the original decision; or substitute another decision for the original decision; and give the applicant notice (the review notice ) of the review decision.\n(sec.13C-ssec.2) If the review decision is not the decision sought by the applicant, the review notice must also state the reasons for the review decision.\n(sec.13C-ssec.3) If the chief executive officer does not comply with subsection (1) , the chief executive officer is taken to have made a decision confirming the original decision.\n- (a) review the decision (the original decision ); and\n- (b) make a decision (the review decision ) to— (i) confirm the original decision; or (ii) amend the original decision; or (iii) substitute another decision for the original decision; and\n- (i) confirm the original decision; or\n- (ii) amend the original decision; or\n- (iii) substitute another decision for the original decision; and\n- (c) give the applicant notice (the review notice ) of the review decision.\n- (i) confirm the original decision; or\n- (ii) amend the original decision; or\n- (iii) substitute another decision for the original decision; and","sortOrder":23},{"sectionNumber":"pt.3B","sectionType":"part","heading":"Rural debt surveys and advisory services","content":"# Rural debt surveys and advisory services","sortOrder":24},{"sectionNumber":"pt.3B-div.1","sectionType":"division","heading":"Rural debt surveys","content":"## Rural debt surveys","sortOrder":25},{"sectionNumber":"sec.13D","sectionType":"section","heading":"Authority must conduct rural debt survey","content":"### sec.13D Authority must conduct rural debt survey\n\nThe authority must ensure a survey of rural indebtedness in Queensland (a rural debt survey ) is—\nconducted for the period starting on 1 January 2012 and ending on 31 December 2017; and\ncompleted by 30 June 2018.\nAlso, the authority must ensure a rural debt survey is conducted for each period of 2 years starting on 1 January 2018.\nA rural debt survey conducted under subsection (2) must be completed within 6 months after the end of the 2-year period.\nSubsections (2) and (3) do not apply for a period mentioned in subsection (2) if a comparable national debt survey has been conducted in the period.\ns 13D ins 2017 No. 7 s 129A\n(sec.13D-ssec.1) The authority must ensure a survey of rural indebtedness in Queensland (a rural debt survey ) is— conducted for the period starting on 1 January 2012 and ending on 31 December 2017; and completed by 30 June 2018.\n(sec.13D-ssec.2) Also, the authority must ensure a rural debt survey is conducted for each period of 2 years starting on 1 January 2018.\n(sec.13D-ssec.3) A rural debt survey conducted under subsection (2) must be completed within 6 months after the end of the 2-year period.\n(sec.13D-ssec.4) Subsections (2) and (3) do not apply for a period mentioned in subsection (2) if a comparable national debt survey has been conducted in the period.\n- (a) conducted for the period starting on 1 January 2012 and ending on 31 December 2017; and\n- (b) completed by 30 June 2018.","sortOrder":26},{"sectionNumber":"sec.13E","sectionType":"section","heading":"Terms of reference for rural debt survey","content":"### sec.13E Terms of reference for rural debt survey\n\nThe terms of reference for a rural debt survey are as follows—\nto establish the extent, nature and size of, and trends in, the total rural indebtedness—\nin Queensland; and\nacross various primary industries; and\nin different areas of Queensland identified by local government areas or postcodes;\nto categorise loans to farmers for conducting farming businesses based on the financial viability of the farmers and the ability of the farmers to service their loans;\nloans for which the farmers are considered financially viable under most circumstances\nloans for which the farmers are considered financially viable in the long-term but who are experiencing some difficulty servicing the loan\nloans for which the farmers are experiencing major difficulties servicing the loan\nto consult with financial institutions and peak primary industry bodies about the matters mentioned in paragraphs (a) and (b) to obtain information or observations about the matters.\ns 13E ins 2017 No. 7 s 129A\n- (a) to establish the extent, nature and size of, and trends in, the total rural indebtedness— (i) in Queensland; and (ii) across various primary industries; and (iii) in different areas of Queensland identified by local government areas or postcodes;\n- (i) in Queensland; and\n- (ii) across various primary industries; and\n- (iii) in different areas of Queensland identified by local government areas or postcodes;\n- (b) to categorise loans to farmers for conducting farming businesses based on the financial viability of the farmers and the ability of the farmers to service their loans; Examples of loan categories— • loans for which the farmers are considered financially viable under most circumstances • loans for which the farmers are considered financially viable in the long-term but who are experiencing some difficulty servicing the loan • loans for which the farmers are experiencing major difficulties servicing the loan\n- • loans for which the farmers are considered financially viable under most circumstances\n- • loans for which the farmers are considered financially viable in the long-term but who are experiencing some difficulty servicing the loan\n- • loans for which the farmers are experiencing major difficulties servicing the loan\n- (c) to consult with financial institutions and peak primary industry bodies about the matters mentioned in paragraphs (a) and (b) to obtain information or observations about the matters.\n- (i) in Queensland; and\n- (ii) across various primary industries; and\n- (iii) in different areas of Queensland identified by local government areas or postcodes;\n- • loans for which the farmers are considered financially viable under most circumstances\n- • loans for which the farmers are considered financially viable in the long-term but who are experiencing some difficulty servicing the loan\n- • loans for which the farmers are experiencing major difficulties servicing the loan","sortOrder":27},{"sectionNumber":"sec.13F","sectionType":"section","heading":"Power to require information for rural debt survey","content":"### sec.13F Power to require information for rural debt survey\n\nThis section applies in relation to the following entities (each a relevant entity )—\na bank or other financial institution;\nanother entity that carries on a business lending money to farmers for the purpose of conducting farming businesses.\nThe authority may, by written notice given to a relevant entity, require the entity to give the authority—\nstated documents or information (the relevant material ), or stated types of documents or information (also the relevant material ), in its possession or control that the authority reasonably requires for the conduct of a rural debt survey; or\naccess to the relevant material.\nThe notice must state how, and a reasonable period by which, the relevant material, or access to the relevant material, must be given.\nThe relevant entity must comply with the notice unless—\nthe requirement relates to relevant material that is in someone else’s possession or control and the other person has refused to give the relevant material to the entity despite the entity’s reasonable efforts to obtain it; or\ncomplying with the requirement would place the entity in contravention of a law; or\nthe requirement relates to someone else’s confidential information and the other person has refused to consent to it being disclosed to the authority despite the entity’s reasonable efforts to obtain the consent; or\nthe giving of the relevant material might tend to incriminate the entity; or\nthe relevant material is confidential to the entity or the giving of the relevant material might be to the detriment of the entity’s commercial or other interests.\nMaximum penalty—100 penalty units.\nIf an exemption under subsection (4) applies to a requirement made of a prescribed entity under subsection (2) , the entity must inform the authority in writing of the application of the exemption.\nThe authority must not use relevant material given to, or accessed by, the authority under this section for a purpose other than a rural debt survey conducted under this part.\nMaximum penalty for subsection (6) —100 penalty units.\ns 13F ins 2017 No. 7 s 129A\n(sec.13F-ssec.1) This section applies in relation to the following entities (each a relevant entity )— a bank or other financial institution; another entity that carries on a business lending money to farmers for the purpose of conducting farming businesses.\n(sec.13F-ssec.2) The authority may, by written notice given to a relevant entity, require the entity to give the authority— stated documents or information (the relevant material ), or stated types of documents or information (also the relevant material ), in its possession or control that the authority reasonably requires for the conduct of a rural debt survey; or access to the relevant material.\n(sec.13F-ssec.3) The notice must state how, and a reasonable period by which, the relevant material, or access to the relevant material, must be given.\n(sec.13F-ssec.4) The relevant entity must comply with the notice unless— the requirement relates to relevant material that is in someone else’s possession or control and the other person has refused to give the relevant material to the entity despite the entity’s reasonable efforts to obtain it; or complying with the requirement would place the entity in contravention of a law; or the requirement relates to someone else’s confidential information and the other person has refused to consent to it being disclosed to the authority despite the entity’s reasonable efforts to obtain the consent; or the giving of the relevant material might tend to incriminate the entity; or the relevant material is confidential to the entity or the giving of the relevant material might be to the detriment of the entity’s commercial or other interests. Maximum penalty—100 penalty units.\n(sec.13F-ssec.5) If an exemption under subsection (4) applies to a requirement made of a prescribed entity under subsection (2) , the entity must inform the authority in writing of the application of the exemption.\n(sec.13F-ssec.6) The authority must not use relevant material given to, or accessed by, the authority under this section for a purpose other than a rural debt survey conducted under this part. Maximum penalty for subsection (6) —100 penalty units.\n- (a) a bank or other financial institution;\n- (b) another entity that carries on a business lending money to farmers for the purpose of conducting farming businesses.\n- (a) stated documents or information (the relevant material ), or stated types of documents or information (also the relevant material ), in its possession or control that the authority reasonably requires for the conduct of a rural debt survey; or\n- (b) access to the relevant material.\n- (a) the requirement relates to relevant material that is in someone else’s possession or control and the other person has refused to give the relevant material to the entity despite the entity’s reasonable efforts to obtain it; or\n- (b) complying with the requirement would place the entity in contravention of a law; or\n- (c) the requirement relates to someone else’s confidential information and the other person has refused to consent to it being disclosed to the authority despite the entity’s reasonable efforts to obtain the consent; or\n- (d) the giving of the relevant material might tend to incriminate the entity; or\n- (e) the relevant material is confidential to the entity or the giving of the relevant material might be to the detriment of the entity’s commercial or other interests.","sortOrder":28},{"sectionNumber":"sec.13G","sectionType":"section","heading":"Authority’s report about rural debt survey","content":"### sec.13G Authority’s report about rural debt survey\n\nThe authority must, by the day the authority is required to complete a rural debt survey under section 13D —\nprepare a report about the results of the survey; and\ngive a copy of the report to the Minister.\nThe authority’s report must compare the results of the rural debt survey to the results of previous rural debt surveys and include the authority’s observations about the comparison.\nAlso, the authority’s report must not include confidential information.\nThe Minister must table a copy of the report in the Legislative Assembly within 3 months after receiving the report.\ns 13G ins 2017 No. 7 s 129A\n(sec.13G-ssec.1) The authority must, by the day the authority is required to complete a rural debt survey under section 13D — prepare a report about the results of the survey; and give a copy of the report to the Minister.\n(sec.13G-ssec.2) The authority’s report must compare the results of the rural debt survey to the results of previous rural debt surveys and include the authority’s observations about the comparison.\n(sec.13G-ssec.3) Also, the authority’s report must not include confidential information.\n(sec.13G-ssec.4) The Minister must table a copy of the report in the Legislative Assembly within 3 months after receiving the report.\n- (a) prepare a report about the results of the survey; and\n- (b) give a copy of the report to the Minister.","sortOrder":29},{"sectionNumber":"pt.3B-div.2","sectionType":"division","heading":"Farm Debt Restructure Office","content":"## Farm Debt Restructure Office","sortOrder":30},{"sectionNumber":"sec.13H","sectionType":"section","heading":"Authority must establish Farm Debt Restructure Office","content":"### sec.13H Authority must establish Farm Debt Restructure Office\n\nThe authority must establish an office of the authority called the Farm Debt Restructure Office.\nThe Farm Debt Restructure Office consists of a manager and the staff of the office, who are employees of the authority.\nThe authority must ensure the manager and staff of the Farm Debt Restructure Office are appropriately qualified to perform the function of the office.\ns 13H ins 2017 No. 7 s 129A\n(sec.13H-ssec.1) The authority must establish an office of the authority called the Farm Debt Restructure Office.\n(sec.13H-ssec.2) The Farm Debt Restructure Office consists of a manager and the staff of the office, who are employees of the authority.\n(sec.13H-ssec.3) The authority must ensure the manager and staff of the Farm Debt Restructure Office are appropriately qualified to perform the function of the office.","sortOrder":31},{"sectionNumber":"sec.13I","sectionType":"section","heading":"Function of Farm Debt Restructure Office","content":"### sec.13I Function of Farm Debt Restructure Office\n\nThe function of the Farm Debt Restructure Office is to assist a farmer in financial distress.\nThe Governor in Council may make a regulation about the functions of the Farm Debt Restructure Office.\ns 13I ins 2017 No. 7 s 129A\n(sec.13I-ssec.1) The function of the Farm Debt Restructure Office is to assist a farmer in financial distress.\n(sec.13I-ssec.2) The Governor in Council may make a regulation about the functions of the Farm Debt Restructure Office.","sortOrder":32},{"sectionNumber":"pt.4","sectionType":"part","heading":"Other provisions about the authority","content":"# Other provisions about the authority","sortOrder":33},{"sectionNumber":"pt.4-div.1","sectionType":"division","heading":"The board","content":"## The board","sortOrder":34},{"sectionNumber":"sec.14","sectionType":"section","heading":"The board","content":"### sec.14 The board\n\nThe authority has a board of directors.","sortOrder":35},{"sectionNumber":"sec.15","sectionType":"section","heading":"Role of the board","content":"### sec.15 Role of the board\n\nThe board is responsible for the way the authority performs its functions and exercises its powers.\nWithout limiting subsection (1) , it is the board’s role—\nto decide the strategies and the operational, administrative and financial policies to be followed by the authority; and\nto ensure the authority performs its functions in a proper, effective and efficient way; and\nto review annually the performance of the authority’s chief executive officer.\ns 15 amd 2004 No. 28 s 14\n(sec.15-ssec.1) The board is responsible for the way the authority performs its functions and exercises its powers.\n(sec.15-ssec.2) Without limiting subsection (1) , it is the board’s role— to decide the strategies and the operational, administrative and financial policies to be followed by the authority; and to ensure the authority performs its functions in a proper, effective and efficient way; and to review annually the performance of the authority’s chief executive officer.\n- (a) to decide the strategies and the operational, administrative and financial policies to be followed by the authority; and\n- (b) to ensure the authority performs its functions in a proper, effective and efficient way; and\n- (c) to review annually the performance of the authority’s chief executive officer.","sortOrder":36},{"sectionNumber":"sec.16","sectionType":"section","heading":"Composition of board","content":"### sec.16 Composition of board\n\nThe board consists of the following persons (each of whom is a director )—\nthe chief executive;\nthe chief executive of the department in which the Financial Accountability Act 2009 is administered;\nnot more than 5 other persons, appointed by the Governor in Council, who have the skills and experience necessary to enable them to contribute effectively to the board’s ability to perform its functions.\nfinancial skills, strategic and business planning skills, rural industry skills\nThe Governor in Council must appoint 1 of the directors appointed under subsection (1) (c) as the chairperson.\nThe chairperson’s term of appointment ends when the person’s term of appointment as a director ends.\ns 16 sub 2004 No. 28 s 15\namd 2009 No. 9 s 136 sch 1\n(sec.16-ssec.1) The board consists of the following persons (each of whom is a director )— the chief executive; the chief executive of the department in which the Financial Accountability Act 2009 is administered; not more than 5 other persons, appointed by the Governor in Council, who have the skills and experience necessary to enable them to contribute effectively to the board’s ability to perform its functions. financial skills, strategic and business planning skills, rural industry skills\n(sec.16-ssec.2) The Governor in Council must appoint 1 of the directors appointed under subsection (1) (c) as the chairperson.\n(sec.16-ssec.3) The chairperson’s term of appointment ends when the person’s term of appointment as a director ends.\n- (a) the chief executive;\n- (b) the chief executive of the department in which the Financial Accountability Act 2009 is administered;\n- (c) not more than 5 other persons, appointed by the Governor in Council, who have the skills and experience necessary to enable them to contribute effectively to the board’s ability to perform its functions. Example of skills for paragraph (c) — financial skills, strategic and business planning skills, rural industry skills","sortOrder":37},{"sectionNumber":"sec.16A","sectionType":"section","heading":"Chairperson to report to Minister","content":"### sec.16A Chairperson to report to Minister\n\nThe chairperson must report to the Minister on the performance of the authority’s functions and the exercise of its powers.\nA report under subsection (1) must be given—\nwithin 1 month after the end of each quarter; and\nat any other time at the Minister’s request.\nAlso, if the chairperson becomes aware of a matter the chairperson is satisfied may adversely affect the authority’s ability to perform its functions, the chairperson must immediately report the matter to the Minister.\nIn subsection (2) —\nquarter means a 3-month period ending on 31 March, 30 June, 30 September or 31 December.\ns 16A ins 2004 No. 28 s 15\n(sec.16A-ssec.1) The chairperson must report to the Minister on the performance of the authority’s functions and the exercise of its powers.\n(sec.16A-ssec.2) A report under subsection (1) must be given— within 1 month after the end of each quarter; and at any other time at the Minister’s request.\n(sec.16A-ssec.3) Also, if the chairperson becomes aware of a matter the chairperson is satisfied may adversely affect the authority’s ability to perform its functions, the chairperson must immediately report the matter to the Minister.\n(sec.16A-ssec.4) In subsection (2) — quarter means a 3-month period ending on 31 March, 30 June, 30 September or 31 December.\n- (a) within 1 month after the end of each quarter; and\n- (b) at any other time at the Minister’s request.","sortOrder":38},{"sectionNumber":"sec.16B","sectionType":"section","heading":"Chairperson to give business plan to Minister","content":"### sec.16B Chairperson to give business plan to Minister\n\nThe chairperson must give the Minister a copy of each business plan, prepared by the chief executive officer, by 30 April in the year for which the plan is prepared.\nThe chairperson must not give a copy of a business plan to the Minister unless the board has approved the business plan.\ns 16B ins 2004 No. 28 s 15\n(sec.16B-ssec.1) The chairperson must give the Minister a copy of each business plan, prepared by the chief executive officer, by 30 April in the year for which the plan is prepared.\n(sec.16B-ssec.2) The chairperson must not give a copy of a business plan to the Minister unless the board has approved the business plan.","sortOrder":39},{"sectionNumber":"sec.16C","sectionType":"section","heading":"Reporting and accountability","content":"### sec.16C Reporting and accountability\n\nThe Minister may, at any time, require the chairperson to give the Minister stated information and reports in the way, and within the time, the Minister requires.\nThe chairperson must comply with the requirement to the extent the chairperson is able to comply with it.\nIf the chairperson can not comply with the requirement, the chairperson must give the Minister reasons for not being able to comply.\nThe chairperson must give the Minister a report on any matter of which the chairperson becomes aware that may significantly affect the authority’s ability to perform its functions.\nThe chairperson must give the Minister a report mentioned in subsection (4) as soon as practicable but within 1 month after the chairperson first becomes aware of the matter.\ns 16C ins 2004 No. 28 s 15\n(sec.16C-ssec.1) The Minister may, at any time, require the chairperson to give the Minister stated information and reports in the way, and within the time, the Minister requires.\n(sec.16C-ssec.2) The chairperson must comply with the requirement to the extent the chairperson is able to comply with it.\n(sec.16C-ssec.3) If the chairperson can not comply with the requirement, the chairperson must give the Minister reasons for not being able to comply.\n(sec.16C-ssec.4) The chairperson must give the Minister a report on any matter of which the chairperson becomes aware that may significantly affect the authority’s ability to perform its functions.\n(sec.16C-ssec.5) The chairperson must give the Minister a report mentioned in subsection (4) as soon as practicable but within 1 month after the chairperson first becomes aware of the matter.","sortOrder":40},{"sectionNumber":"sec.16CA","sectionType":"section","heading":"Acting chairperson","content":"### sec.16CA Acting chairperson\n\nThe Minister may appoint any director of the board to act as the chairperson of the board during—\nany vacancy, or all vacancies, in the position; or\nany period, or all periods, when the chairperson is absent from duty, or can not, for another reason, perform the chairperson’s responsibilities.\nSubsection (1) does not affect the application of the Acts Interpretation Act 1954 , section 24B or 25 for the appointment.\ns 16CA ins 2020 No. 3 s 127\n(sec.16CA-ssec.1) The Minister may appoint any director of the board to act as the chairperson of the board during— any vacancy, or all vacancies, in the position; or any period, or all periods, when the chairperson is absent from duty, or can not, for another reason, perform the chairperson’s responsibilities.\n(sec.16CA-ssec.2) Subsection (1) does not affect the application of the Acts Interpretation Act 1954 , section 24B or 25 for the appointment.\n- (a) any vacancy, or all vacancies, in the position; or\n- (b) any period, or all periods, when the chairperson is absent from duty, or can not, for another reason, perform the chairperson’s responsibilities.","sortOrder":41},{"sectionNumber":"pt.4-div.1A","sectionType":"division","heading":"Other provisions about directors","content":"## Other provisions about directors","sortOrder":42},{"sectionNumber":"sec.16D","sectionType":"section","heading":"Delegation by non-appointed directors","content":"### sec.16D Delegation by non-appointed directors\n\nA director mentioned in section 16 (1) (a) or (b) may delegate the director’s functions under this Act to an appropriately qualified senior executive in the public service.\nIn this section—\nappropriately qualified includes having the qualifications, experience or standing appropriate to the exercise of the function.\nthe person’s classification level in a department\nfunction includes a power.\ns 16D ins 2008 No. 22 s 14\n(sec.16D-ssec.1) A director mentioned in section 16 (1) (a) or (b) may delegate the director’s functions under this Act to an appropriately qualified senior executive in the public service.\n(sec.16D-ssec.2) In this section— appropriately qualified includes having the qualifications, experience or standing appropriate to the exercise of the function. the person’s classification level in a department function includes a power.","sortOrder":43},{"sectionNumber":"sec.17","sectionType":"section","heading":"Duration of appointment","content":"### sec.17 Duration of appointment\n\nA director appointed under section 16 (1) (c) is appointed for the term, of not more than 3 years, stated in the director’s instrument of appointment.\nThe terms of appointment must be staggered so that, as far as practicable, half the directors’ terms end every 18 months.\nThe office of a director appointed under section 16 (1) (c) becomes vacant if—\nthe director resigns by signed notice to the Minister; or\nthe director is found guilty of an indictable offence or an offence against this Act; or\nthe director becomes employed by, or becomes a contractor of, the authority; or\nthe director’s appointment is ended by the Governor in Council under subsection (3) .\nThe Governor in Council may, at any time, end the appointment of a director for any reason or none.\ns 17 amd 2004 No. 28 s 16\n(sec.17-ssec.1) A director appointed under section 16 (1) (c) is appointed for the term, of not more than 3 years, stated in the director’s instrument of appointment.\n(sec.17-ssec.1A) The terms of appointment must be staggered so that, as far as practicable, half the directors’ terms end every 18 months.\n(sec.17-ssec.2) The office of a director appointed under section 16 (1) (c) becomes vacant if— the director resigns by signed notice to the Minister; or the director is found guilty of an indictable offence or an offence against this Act; or the director becomes employed by, or becomes a contractor of, the authority; or the director’s appointment is ended by the Governor in Council under subsection (3) .\n(sec.17-ssec.3) The Governor in Council may, at any time, end the appointment of a director for any reason or none.\n- (a) the director resigns by signed notice to the Minister; or\n- (b) the director is found guilty of an indictable offence or an offence against this Act; or\n- (c) the director becomes employed by, or becomes a contractor of, the authority; or\n- (d) the director’s appointment is ended by the Governor in Council under subsection (3) .","sortOrder":44},{"sectionNumber":"sec.18","sectionType":"section","heading":"Conditions of appointment","content":"### sec.18 Conditions of appointment\n\nA director is appointed on a part-time basis.\nA director is entitled to be paid the remuneration and allowances fixed by the Governor in Council.\n(sec.18-ssec.1) A director is appointed on a part-time basis.\n(sec.18-ssec.2) A director is entitled to be paid the remuneration and allowances fixed by the Governor in Council.","sortOrder":45},{"sectionNumber":"pt.4-div.2","sectionType":"division","heading":"Proceedings of the board","content":"## Proceedings of the board","sortOrder":46},{"sectionNumber":"sec.19","sectionType":"section","heading":"Time and place of meetings","content":"### sec.19 Time and place of meetings\n\nThe board may hold its meetings when and where it decides.\nHowever, the board must meet at least once every 3 months.\nThe chairperson—\nmay at any time call a meeting of the board; and\nmust call a meeting if asked by one-quarter or more of the other directors.\n(sec.19-ssec.1) The board may hold its meetings when and where it decides.\n(sec.19-ssec.2) However, the board must meet at least once every 3 months.\n(sec.19-ssec.3) The chairperson— may at any time call a meeting of the board; and must call a meeting if asked by one-quarter or more of the other directors.\n- (a) may at any time call a meeting of the board; and\n- (b) must call a meeting if asked by one-quarter or more of the other directors.","sortOrder":47},{"sectionNumber":"sec.20","sectionType":"section","heading":"Conduct of proceedings","content":"### sec.20 Conduct of proceedings\n\nThe chairperson presides at all meetings of the board at which the chairperson is present.\nIf the chairperson is absent, the director chosen by the directors present presides.\nAt a meeting of the board—\na quorum is at least half of the directors; and\na question is decided by a majority of the votes of the directors present and voting; and\neach director present has a vote on each question to be decided and, if the votes are equal, the director presiding has a casting vote.\nThe board may conduct its proceedings (including its meetings) as it considers appropriate.\nThe board may hold meetings, or permit directors to take part in meetings, by telephone, closed-circuit television or another form of communication.\nA director who takes part in a meeting of the board under subsection (5) is taken to be present at the meeting.\nA resolution is a valid resolution of the board, even though it is not passed at a meeting of the board, if—\nat least half the directors give written agreement to the resolution; and\nnotice of the resolution is given under procedures approved by the board.\ns 20 amd 2008 No. 22 s 15\n(sec.20-ssec.1) The chairperson presides at all meetings of the board at which the chairperson is present.\n(sec.20-ssec.2) If the chairperson is absent, the director chosen by the directors present presides.\n(sec.20-ssec.3) At a meeting of the board— a quorum is at least half of the directors; and a question is decided by a majority of the votes of the directors present and voting; and each director present has a vote on each question to be decided and, if the votes are equal, the director presiding has a casting vote.\n(sec.20-ssec.4) The board may conduct its proceedings (including its meetings) as it considers appropriate.\n(sec.20-ssec.5) The board may hold meetings, or permit directors to take part in meetings, by telephone, closed-circuit television or another form of communication.\n(sec.20-ssec.6) A director who takes part in a meeting of the board under subsection (5) is taken to be present at the meeting.\n(sec.20-ssec.7) A resolution is a valid resolution of the board, even though it is not passed at a meeting of the board, if— at least half the directors give written agreement to the resolution; and notice of the resolution is given under procedures approved by the board.\n- (a) a quorum is at least half of the directors; and\n- (b) a question is decided by a majority of the votes of the directors present and voting; and\n- (c) each director present has a vote on each question to be decided and, if the votes are equal, the director presiding has a casting vote.\n- (a) at least half the directors give written agreement to the resolution; and\n- (b) notice of the resolution is given under procedures approved by the board.","sortOrder":48},{"sectionNumber":"sec.21","sectionType":"section","heading":"Disclosure of interests","content":"### sec.21 Disclosure of interests\n\nA director must disclose to a meeting of the board a direct or indirect financial interest in an issue being considered or about to be considered by the board if—\nthe director, or a person who, under the regulations, is related to the director, has the interest; and\nthe interest could conflict with the appropriate performance of the director’s duties about the consideration of the issue.\nThe disclosure must be recorded in the board’s minutes and, unless the board otherwise directs, the director must not be present when the board considers the issue, or take part in a decision of the board on the issue.\nAnother director who also has, or who is, under the regulations, related to a person who also has, a direct or indirect financial interest in the issue must not—\nbe present when the board is considering its decision under subsection (2) ; or\ntake part in making the decision.\nIf, because of this section, a director is not present at a meeting of the board for the deliberation of the board about an issue, but there would be a quorum if the director were present, the remaining directors present are a quorum for the board’s deliberation or decision about the issue at the meeting.\n(sec.21-ssec.1) A director must disclose to a meeting of the board a direct or indirect financial interest in an issue being considered or about to be considered by the board if— the director, or a person who, under the regulations, is related to the director, has the interest; and the interest could conflict with the appropriate performance of the director’s duties about the consideration of the issue.\n(sec.21-ssec.2) The disclosure must be recorded in the board’s minutes and, unless the board otherwise directs, the director must not be present when the board considers the issue, or take part in a decision of the board on the issue.\n(sec.21-ssec.3) Another director who also has, or who is, under the regulations, related to a person who also has, a direct or indirect financial interest in the issue must not— be present when the board is considering its decision under subsection (2) ; or take part in making the decision.\n(sec.21-ssec.4) If, because of this section, a director is not present at a meeting of the board for the deliberation of the board about an issue, but there would be a quorum if the director were present, the remaining directors present are a quorum for the board’s deliberation or decision about the issue at the meeting.\n- (a) the director, or a person who, under the regulations, is related to the director, has the interest; and\n- (b) the interest could conflict with the appropriate performance of the director’s duties about the consideration of the issue.\n- (a) be present when the board is considering its decision under subsection (2) ; or\n- (b) take part in making the decision.","sortOrder":49},{"sectionNumber":"sec.22","sectionType":"section","heading":"Minutes","content":"### sec.22 Minutes\n\nThe board must keep minutes of its proceedings.","sortOrder":50},{"sectionNumber":"pt.4-div.3","sectionType":"division","heading":"Financial matters","content":"## Financial matters","sortOrder":51},{"sectionNumber":"sec.23","sectionType":"section","heading":"Application of Financial Accountability Act","content":"### sec.23 Application of Financial Accountability Act\n\nThe authority is a statutory body within the meaning of the Financial Accountability Act 2009 .\nThis section is enacted to avoid doubt.\ns 23 amd 2009 No. 9 s 136 sch 1\n(sec.23-ssec.1) The authority is a statutory body within the meaning of the Financial Accountability Act 2009 .\n(sec.23-ssec.2) This section is enacted to avoid doubt.","sortOrder":52},{"sectionNumber":"sec.23A","sectionType":"section","heading":"Authority is a statutory body for Statutory Bodies Financial Arrangements Act 1982","content":"### sec.23A Authority is a statutory body for Statutory Bodies Financial Arrangements Act 1982\n\nUnder the Statutory Bodies Financial Arrangements Act 1982 , the authority is a statutory body.\nThe Statutory Bodies Financial Arrangements Act 1982 , part 2B sets out the way in which the authority’s powers under this Act are affected by the Statutory Bodies Financial Arrangements Act 1982 .\ns 23A ins 1996 No. 54 s 9 sch\n(sec.23A-ssec.1) Under the Statutory Bodies Financial Arrangements Act 1982 , the authority is a statutory body.\n(sec.23A-ssec.2) The Statutory Bodies Financial Arrangements Act 1982 , part 2B sets out the way in which the authority’s powers under this Act are affected by the Statutory Bodies Financial Arrangements Act 1982 .","sortOrder":53},{"sectionNumber":"sec.24","sectionType":"section","heading":"Administration budget","content":"### sec.24 Administration budget\n\nFor each financial year, the authority must develop, adopt and submit to the Minister an administration budget not later than the day the Minister directs.\nAn administration budget has no effect until approved by the Minister.\nDuring a financial year the authority may develop, adopt and submit to the Minister amendments to its administration budget.\nAn amendment has no effect until approved by the Minister.\n(sec.24-ssec.1) For each financial year, the authority must develop, adopt and submit to the Minister an administration budget not later than the day the Minister directs.\n(sec.24-ssec.2) An administration budget has no effect until approved by the Minister.\n(sec.24-ssec.3) During a financial year the authority may develop, adopt and submit to the Minister amendments to its administration budget.\n(sec.24-ssec.4) An amendment has no effect until approved by the Minister.","sortOrder":54},{"sectionNumber":"pt.4-div.4","sectionType":"division","heading":"Other things about the authority","content":"## Other things about the authority","sortOrder":55},{"sectionNumber":"sec.25","sectionType":"section","heading":"Seal","content":"### sec.25 Seal\n\nJudicial notice must be taken of the imprint of the authority’s seal appearing on a document, and the document must be presumed to have been properly sealed unless the contrary is proved.","sortOrder":56},{"sectionNumber":"sec.26","sectionType":"section","heading":"Application of certain Acts","content":"### sec.26 Application of certain Acts\n\nThe authority is—\na unit of public administration under the Crime and Corruption Act 2001 ; and\na prescribed entity for the Public Sector Act 2022 , section 25 , definition prescribed entity , paragraph (c) .\ns 26 amd 2001 No. 69 s 378 sch 1 ; 2008 No. 38 s 252 sch 3 ; 2014 No. 21 s 94 (2) sch 2 ; 2022 No. 34 s 365 sch 3\n- (a) a unit of public administration under the Crime and Corruption Act 2001 ; and\n- (b) a prescribed entity for the Public Sector Act 2022 , section 25 , definition prescribed entity , paragraph (c) .","sortOrder":57},{"sectionNumber":"sec.27","sectionType":"section","heading":"Delegation","content":"### sec.27 Delegation\n\nThe authority may delegate the authority’s functions and powers under this Act or another Act to a director or an appropriately qualified officer of the authority.\ns 27 amd 2017 No. 7 s 130","sortOrder":58},{"sectionNumber":"pt.5","sectionType":"part","heading":"Staff of the authority","content":"# Staff of the authority","sortOrder":59},{"sectionNumber":"pt.5-div.1","sectionType":"division","heading":"Chief executive officer","content":"## Chief executive officer","sortOrder":60},{"sectionNumber":"sec.28","sectionType":"section","heading":"Chief executive officer","content":"### sec.28 Chief executive officer\n\nThe authority must have a chief executive officer (however called).\nThe chief executive officer is responsible for ensuring the authority is managed as required by the policies of the board.\n(sec.28-ssec.1) The authority must have a chief executive officer (however called).\n(sec.28-ssec.2) The chief executive officer is responsible for ensuring the authority is managed as required by the policies of the board.","sortOrder":61},{"sectionNumber":"sec.29","sectionType":"section","heading":"Appointment","content":"### sec.29 Appointment\n\nThe chief executive officer is appointed by the Governor in Council.","sortOrder":62},{"sectionNumber":"sec.30","sectionType":"section","heading":"Restriction on appointment","content":"### sec.30 Restriction on appointment\n\nA director must not be appointed as chief executive officer.","sortOrder":63},{"sectionNumber":"sec.31","sectionType":"section","heading":"Chief executive officer appointed under this Act","content":"### sec.31 Chief executive officer appointed under this Act\n\nThe chief executive officer is to be appointed under this Act, and not under the Public Sector Act 2022 .\ns 31 sub 1996 No. 37 s 147 sch 2 ; 2004 No. 28 s 17\namd 2008 No. 38 s 252 sch 3 ; 2022 No. 34 s 365 sch 3","sortOrder":64},{"sectionNumber":"sec.32","sectionType":"section","heading":"Term of appointment","content":"### sec.32 Term of appointment\n\nThe chief executive officer holds office for the term (not longer than 5 years) stated by the Governor in Council in the instrument of appointment.","sortOrder":65},{"sectionNumber":"sec.32A","sectionType":"section","heading":"Resignation","content":"### sec.32A Resignation\n\nThe chief executive officer may resign by signed written notice given to the Minister.\ns 32A ins 2020 No. 3 s 128","sortOrder":66},{"sectionNumber":"sec.33","sectionType":"section","heading":"Chief executive officer not to engage in other paid employment","content":"### sec.33 Chief executive officer not to engage in other paid employment\n\nThe chief executive officer must not, without the approval of the board—\nengage in paid employment outside the duties of the office of chief executive officer; or\nactively take part in the activities of a business, or in the management of a corporation carrying on business.\n- (a) engage in paid employment outside the duties of the office of chief executive officer; or\n- (b) actively take part in the activities of a business, or in the management of a corporation carrying on business.","sortOrder":67},{"sectionNumber":"sec.34","sectionType":"section","heading":"Conditions of appointment","content":"### sec.34 Conditions of appointment\n\nThe chief executive officer holds office on the conditions (including conditions for remuneration, allowances and remuneration when the appointment ends) fixed by the authority.","sortOrder":68},{"sectionNumber":"sec.35","sectionType":"section","heading":"Acting chief executive officer","content":"### sec.35 Acting chief executive officer\n\nThe board may appoint a person, who is eligible for appointment as chief executive officer, to act in the office of chief executive officer during—\nany vacancy, or all vacancies, in the office; or\nany period, or all periods, when the chief executive officer is absent from duty, or cannot, for another reason, perform the duties of the office.\nSubsection (1) does not affect the application of the Acts Interpretation Act 1954 , section 24B or 25 for the appointment.\ns 35 amd 2013 No. 41 s 76 ; 2017 No. 7 s 131\n(sec.35-ssec.1) The board may appoint a person, who is eligible for appointment as chief executive officer, to act in the office of chief executive officer during— any vacancy, or all vacancies, in the office; or any period, or all periods, when the chief executive officer is absent from duty, or cannot, for another reason, perform the duties of the office.\n(sec.35-ssec.2) Subsection (1) does not affect the application of the Acts Interpretation Act 1954 , section 24B or 25 for the appointment.\n- (a) any vacancy, or all vacancies, in the office; or\n- (b) any period, or all periods, when the chief executive officer is absent from duty, or cannot, for another reason, perform the duties of the office.","sortOrder":69},{"sectionNumber":"sec.35A","sectionType":"section","heading":"Chief executive officer to prepare business plan","content":"### sec.35A Chief executive officer to prepare business plan\n\nWithout limiting section 28 (2) , the chief executive officer must—\nprepare a business plan for each year; and\ngive the plan to the board by 31 March in the year for which the plan is prepared.\nThe business plan must cover the authority’s operations for the year in which the plan is prepared and the following 2 years.\ns 35A ins 2004 No. 28 s 18\n(sec.35A-ssec.1) Without limiting section 28 (2) , the chief executive officer must— prepare a business plan for each year; and give the plan to the board by 31 March in the year for which the plan is prepared.\n(sec.35A-ssec.2) The business plan must cover the authority’s operations for the year in which the plan is prepared and the following 2 years.\n- (a) prepare a business plan for each year; and\n- (b) give the plan to the board by 31 March in the year for which the plan is prepared.","sortOrder":70},{"sectionNumber":"sec.35B","sectionType":"section","heading":"Delegation","content":"### sec.35B Delegation\n\nThe chief executive officer may, with the board’s approval, delegate the chief executive officer’s functions under this Act or another Act, including a function delegated to the chief executive officer by the authority, to an appropriately qualified employee of the authority.\nIn this section—\nfunction includes power.\ns 35B ins 2013 No. 41 s 77\namd 2017 No. 7 s 132\n(sec.35B-ssec.1) The chief executive officer may, with the board’s approval, delegate the chief executive officer’s functions under this Act or another Act, including a function delegated to the chief executive officer by the authority, to an appropriately qualified employee of the authority.\n(sec.35B-ssec.2) In this section— function includes power.","sortOrder":71},{"sectionNumber":"pt.5-div.2","sectionType":"division","heading":"Staffing the authority","content":"## Staffing the authority","sortOrder":72},{"sectionNumber":"sec.36","sectionType":"section","heading":"Authority staff","content":"### sec.36 Authority staff\n\nThe authority may engage the employees it considers necessary to perform its functions.\nThe authority may decide its employees’ conditions of employment.\nHowever, subsection (2) has effect subject to any relevant industrial instrument.\nThe authority’s employees are to be employed under this Act, and not under the Public Sector Act 2022 .\nIn subsection (2) —\nconditions of employment includes conditions about duration of the employment and ending the employment.\ns 36 amd 1996 No. 37 s 147 sch 2 ; 2008 No. 38 s 252 sch 3; 2016 No. 63 s 1157 sch 6 ; 2022 No. 34 s 365 sch 3\n(sec.36-ssec.1) The authority may engage the employees it considers necessary to perform its functions.\n(sec.36-ssec.2) The authority may decide its employees’ conditions of employment.\n(sec.36-ssec.3) However, subsection (2) has effect subject to any relevant industrial instrument.\n(sec.36-ssec.4) The authority’s employees are to be employed under this Act, and not under the Public Sector Act 2022 .\n(sec.36-ssec.5) In subsection (2) — conditions of employment includes conditions about duration of the employment and ending the employment.","sortOrder":73},{"sectionNumber":"sec.37","sectionType":"section","heading":"Alternative staffing arrangements","content":"### sec.37 Alternative staffing arrangements\n\nThe authority may arrange with the chief executive of a department, an authority of the State or a government owned corporation, for the services of officers or employees of the department, authority or corporation to be made available to the authority.","sortOrder":74},{"sectionNumber":"pt.5-div.3","sectionType":"division","heading":"Conflict of interest","content":"## Conflict of interest","sortOrder":75},{"sectionNumber":"sec.38","sectionType":"section","heading":"Disclosure of interests","content":"### sec.38 Disclosure of interests\n\nThis section applies to an officer of the authority if—\nthe officer, or a person who, under the regulations, is related to the officer, has a direct or indirect financial interest in an issue being decided, or about to be decided by the authority (whether or not under a delegation from the authority); and\nthe interest could conflict with the proper performance of the officer’s duties about the decision.\nAs soon as practicable after the officer becomes aware of the facts causing this section to apply to the officer, the officer must disclose the nature of the interest to the authority.\n(sec.38-ssec.1) This section applies to an officer of the authority if— the officer, or a person who, under the regulations, is related to the officer, has a direct or indirect financial interest in an issue being decided, or about to be decided by the authority (whether or not under a delegation from the authority); and the interest could conflict with the proper performance of the officer’s duties about the decision.\n(sec.38-ssec.2) As soon as practicable after the officer becomes aware of the facts causing this section to apply to the officer, the officer must disclose the nature of the interest to the authority.\n- (a) the officer, or a person who, under the regulations, is related to the officer, has a direct or indirect financial interest in an issue being decided, or about to be decided by the authority (whether or not under a delegation from the authority); and\n- (b) the interest could conflict with the proper performance of the officer’s duties about the decision.","sortOrder":76},{"sectionNumber":"pt.6","sectionType":"part","heading":"Miscellaneous","content":"# Miscellaneous","sortOrder":77},{"sectionNumber":"sec.39","sectionType":"section","heading":"Duty to act honestly","content":"### sec.39 Duty to act honestly\n\nThis section applies to a person who is a director or an officer of the authority.\nA person to whom this section applies must at all times act honestly in the exercise of the person’s powers and the discharge of the person’s duties.\nMaximum penalty—200 penalty units.\n(sec.39-ssec.1) This section applies to a person who is a director or an officer of the authority.\n(sec.39-ssec.2) A person to whom this section applies must at all times act honestly in the exercise of the person’s powers and the discharge of the person’s duties. Maximum penalty—200 penalty units.","sortOrder":78},{"sectionNumber":"sec.40","sectionType":"section","heading":"Disclosure of information","content":"### sec.40 Disclosure of information\n\nA person must not disclose information obtained in the administration of this Act (or another Act giving functions to the authority) unless the disclosure is made—\nwith the agreement of the person from whom the information was obtained; or\nfor the administration of this Act (or another Act giving functions to the authority); or\nin legal proceedings; or\nunder the Crime and Corruption Act 2001 or the Ombudsman Act 2001 ; or\nwith another lawful excuse.\nMaximum penalty—100 penalty units.\ns 40 amd 2001 No. 69 s 378 sch 1 ; 2001 No. 73 s 96 sch 1 ; 2014 No. 21 s 94 (2) sch 2\n- (a) with the agreement of the person from whom the information was obtained; or\n- (b) for the administration of this Act (or another Act giving functions to the authority); or\n- (c) in legal proceedings; or\n- (d) under the Crime and Corruption Act 2001 or the Ombudsman Act 2001 ; or\n- (e) with another lawful excuse.","sortOrder":79},{"sectionNumber":"sec.41","sectionType":"section","heading":"False or misleading information","content":"### sec.41 False or misleading information\n\nA person must not for the purposes of this Act, including for the purpose of an application for financial assistance under this Act—\nstate anything the person knows is false or misleading in a material particular; or\nomit from a statement anything without which the statement is, to the person’s knowledge, misleading in a material particular.\nMaximum penalty—200 penalty units.\nIt is enough for a complaint against a person for an offence against subsection (1) (a) or (b) to state that the statement made was false or misleading to the person’s knowledge.\n(sec.41-ssec.1) A person must not for the purposes of this Act, including for the purpose of an application for financial assistance under this Act— state anything the person knows is false or misleading in a material particular; or omit from a statement anything without which the statement is, to the person’s knowledge, misleading in a material particular. Maximum penalty—200 penalty units.\n(sec.41-ssec.2) It is enough for a complaint against a person for an offence against subsection (1) (a) or (b) to state that the statement made was false or misleading to the person’s knowledge.\n- (a) state anything the person knows is false or misleading in a material particular; or\n- (b) omit from a statement anything without which the statement is, to the person’s knowledge, misleading in a material particular.","sortOrder":80},{"sectionNumber":"sec.42","sectionType":"section","heading":"False or misleading documents","content":"### sec.42 False or misleading documents\n\nA person must not, for the purposes of this Act, including for the purpose of an application for financial assistance under this Act, give to the authority a document containing information the person knows is false, misleading or incomplete in a material particular.\nMaximum penalty—200 penalty units.\nSubsection (1) does not apply to a person who, when giving the document—\ninforms the authority, to the best of the person’s ability, how it is false, misleading or incomplete; and\nif the person has, or can reasonably obtain, the correct information—gives the correct information to the authority.\nIt is enough for a complaint against a person for an offence against subsection (1) to state that the document was false, misleading or incomplete to the person’s knowledge.\n(sec.42-ssec.1) A person must not, for the purposes of this Act, including for the purpose of an application for financial assistance under this Act, give to the authority a document containing information the person knows is false, misleading or incomplete in a material particular. Maximum penalty—200 penalty units.\n(sec.42-ssec.2) Subsection (1) does not apply to a person who, when giving the document— informs the authority, to the best of the person’s ability, how it is false, misleading or incomplete; and if the person has, or can reasonably obtain, the correct information—gives the correct information to the authority.\n(sec.42-ssec.3) It is enough for a complaint against a person for an offence against subsection (1) to state that the document was false, misleading or incomplete to the person’s knowledge.\n- (a) informs the authority, to the best of the person’s ability, how it is false, misleading or incomplete; and\n- (b) if the person has, or can reasonably obtain, the correct information—gives the correct information to the authority.","sortOrder":81},{"sectionNumber":"sec.43","sectionType":"section","heading":"Calling up financial assistance obtained by false statement","content":"### sec.43 Calling up financial assistance obtained by false statement\n\nThis section applies to financial assistance given under this Act to a person who—\nin applying for the financial assistance contravened section 41 (False or misleading information) or 42 (False or misleading documents); and\nwould not otherwise have been given the financial assistance.\nThe authority may, by notice given to a person who has received financial assistance to which this section applies—\ncall up a loan or other amount given as the financial assistance; and\nexercise the authority’s rights under a security for the loan or other amount.\nIf the authority calls up a loan or other amount under this section, the amount is payable from the day the notice is given, or from a later day stated in the notice.\n(sec.43-ssec.1) This section applies to financial assistance given under this Act to a person who— in applying for the financial assistance contravened section 41 (False or misleading information) or 42 (False or misleading documents); and would not otherwise have been given the financial assistance.\n(sec.43-ssec.2) The authority may, by notice given to a person who has received financial assistance to which this section applies— call up a loan or other amount given as the financial assistance; and exercise the authority’s rights under a security for the loan or other amount.\n(sec.43-ssec.3) If the authority calls up a loan or other amount under this section, the amount is payable from the day the notice is given, or from a later day stated in the notice.\n- (a) in applying for the financial assistance contravened section 41 (False or misleading information) or 42 (False or misleading documents); and\n- (b) would not otherwise have been given the financial assistance.\n- (a) call up a loan or other amount given as the financial assistance; and\n- (b) exercise the authority’s rights under a security for the loan or other amount.","sortOrder":82},{"sectionNumber":"sec.44","sectionType":"section","heading":"Regulation-making power","content":"### sec.44 Regulation-making power\n\nThe Governor in Council may make regulations under this Act.\ns 44 sub 2008 No. 22 s 16","sortOrder":83},{"sectionNumber":"sec.45","sectionType":"section","heading":"Review of Act","content":"### sec.45 Review of Act\n\nThe Minister must, within each period of 10 years after 1 July 2013, review this Act to decide whether its provisions remain appropriate.\nThe Minister must, as soon as practicable after finishing each review, table a report about the outcome of the review in the Legislative Assembly.\ns 45 prev s 45 exp 1 October 1995 (see s 45(2))\npres s 45 ins 2004 No. 28 s 19\namd 2013 No. 41 s 78\n(sec.45-ssec.1) The Minister must, within each period of 10 years after 1 July 2013, review this Act to decide whether its provisions remain appropriate.\n(sec.45-ssec.2) The Minister must, as soon as practicable after finishing each review, table a report about the outcome of the review in the Legislative Assembly.","sortOrder":84},{"sectionNumber":"pt.7","sectionType":"part","heading":"Savings, transitional and validation provisions for Act No. 50 of 1994","content":"# Savings, transitional and validation provisions for Act No. 50 of 1994","sortOrder":85},{"sectionNumber":"pt.7-div.1","sectionType":"division","heading":null,"content":"","sortOrder":86},{"sectionNumber":"pt.7-div.2","sectionType":"division","heading":"Transitional references","content":"## Transitional references","sortOrder":87},{"sectionNumber":"sec.46","sectionType":"section","heading":"Application of division","content":"### sec.46 Application of division\n\nThis division applies to references in Acts in existence at its commencement.","sortOrder":88},{"sectionNumber":"sec.47","sectionType":"section","heading":"References to Acts","content":"### sec.47 References to Acts\n\nA reference to any of the following Acts is taken to be a reference to this Act—\nAgricultural Bank (Loans) Act 1959\nCo-ordination of Rural Advances and Agricultural Bank Act 1938\nFarmers’ Assistance (Debts Adjustment) Act 1967\nFarm Water Supplies Assistance Act 1958\nPrimary Producers’ Assistance Act 1972.\ns 47 amd 1995 No. 57 s 4 sch 1\n- • Agricultural Bank (Loans) Act 1959\n- • Co-ordination of Rural Advances and Agricultural Bank Act 1938\n- • Farmers’ Assistance (Debts Adjustment) Act 1967\n- • Farm Water Supplies Assistance Act 1958\n- • Primary Producers’ Assistance Act 1972.","sortOrder":89},{"sectionNumber":"sec.48","sectionType":"section","heading":null,"content":"### Section sec.48\n\ns 48 exp 1 October 1995 (see s 48(4))\nAIA s 20A applies (see s 48(3))","sortOrder":90},{"sectionNumber":"sec.49","sectionType":"section","heading":null,"content":"### Section sec.49\n\ns 49 exp 1 October 1995 (see s 49(3))\nAIA s 20A applies (see s 49(2))","sortOrder":91},{"sectionNumber":"sec.50","sectionType":"section","heading":null,"content":"### Section sec.50\n\ns 50 exp 1 October 1997 (see s 50(3))","sortOrder":92},{"sectionNumber":"pt.7-div.3","sectionType":"division","heading":null,"content":"","sortOrder":93},{"sectionNumber":"sec.51","sectionType":"section","heading":null,"content":"### Section sec.51\n\ns 51 amd 2000 No. 46 s 3 sch\nexp 1 October 2004 (see s 51(5))","sortOrder":94},{"sectionNumber":"pt.7-div.4","sectionType":"division","heading":null,"content":"","sortOrder":95},{"sectionNumber":"pt.8","sectionType":"part","heading":"Other repeal, savings and transitional provisions","content":"# Other repeal, savings and transitional provisions","sortOrder":96},{"sectionNumber":"pt.8-div.1","sectionType":"division","heading":"Transitional provisions for Rural Adjustment Authority Amendment Act 2004","content":"## Transitional provisions for Rural Adjustment Authority Amendment Act 2004","sortOrder":97},{"sectionNumber":"sec.52","sectionType":"section","heading":"Continuance of authority","content":"### sec.52 Continuance of authority\n\nThe Queensland Rural Adjustment Authority established under this Act, as in force immediately before the commencement of this section, is continued in existence as QRAA.\ns 52 prev s 52 exp 1 October 1995 (see s 52(3))\npres s 52 ins 2004 No. 28 s 21","sortOrder":98},{"sectionNumber":"sec.53","sectionType":"section","heading":"Transitional appointments of directors of board","content":"### sec.53 Transitional appointments of directors of board\n\nThis section applies to a person holding appointment as a director immediately before the commencement of this section.\nThe term of appointment stated in the person’s instrument of appointment as a director continues to apply as if section 17 had not been amended by the Rural Adjustment Authority Amendment Act 2004 .\ns 53 orig s 53 exp 1 April 1995 (see s 53)\nprev s 53 ins 1995 No. 57 s 4 sch 1\nexp 28 May 1996 (see s 53(4))\npres s 53 ins 2004 No. 28 s 21\n(sec.53-ssec.1) This section applies to a person holding appointment as a director immediately before the commencement of this section.\n(sec.53-ssec.2) The term of appointment stated in the person’s instrument of appointment as a director continues to apply as if section 17 had not been amended by the Rural Adjustment Authority Amendment Act 2004 .","sortOrder":99},{"sectionNumber":"sec.54","sectionType":"section","heading":"Existing approved assistance schemes","content":"### sec.54 Existing approved assistance schemes\n\nA transitional scheme is, for the transitional period for the scheme, taken to be an approved assistance scheme.\nA transitional scheme may be read with the changes necessary to—\nmake it consistent with this Act; and\nadapt its operation to the provisions of this Act.\nIn this section—\ntransitional period , for a transitional scheme, means the period from the commencement of this section until—\n2 years after the commencement; or\nthe transitional scheme is earlier approved under section 11(1)(c).\ntransitional scheme means an approved assistance scheme in existence under this Act immediately before the commencement of this section.\ns 54 prev s 54 exp 1 April 1995 (see s 53)\npres s 54 ins 2004 No. 28 s 21\n(sec.54-ssec.1) A transitional scheme is, for the transitional period for the scheme, taken to be an approved assistance scheme.\n(sec.54-ssec.2) A transitional scheme may be read with the changes necessary to— make it consistent with this Act; and adapt its operation to the provisions of this Act.\n(sec.54-ssec.3) In this section— transitional period , for a transitional scheme, means the period from the commencement of this section until— 2 years after the commencement; or the transitional scheme is earlier approved under section 11(1)(c). transitional scheme means an approved assistance scheme in existence under this Act immediately before the commencement of this section.\n- (a) make it consistent with this Act; and\n- (b) adapt its operation to the provisions of this Act.\n- (a) 2 years after the commencement; or\n- (b) the transitional scheme is earlier approved under section 11(1)(c).","sortOrder":100},{"sectionNumber":"pt.8-div.2","sectionType":"division","heading":"Transitional provisions for Farm Business Debt Mediation Act 2017","content":"## Transitional provisions for Farm Business Debt Mediation Act 2017","sortOrder":101},{"sectionNumber":"sec.55","sectionType":"section","heading":"Authority continues","content":"### sec.55 Authority continues\n\nThe QRAA established under this Act, as in force immediately before this section commenced, is continued as the Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority.\ns 55 prev s 55 exp 1 April 1995 (see s 53)\npres s 55 ins 2017 No. 7 s 134","sortOrder":102},{"sectionNumber":"sec.56","sectionType":"section","heading":"References to QRAA","content":"### sec.56 References to QRAA\n\nIn an Act or other document, a reference to QRAA, may, if the context permits, be taken to be a reference to the Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority.\ns 56 prev s 56 exp 1 April 1995 (see s 53)\npres s 56 ins 2017 No. 7 s 134","sortOrder":103},{"sectionNumber":"pt.8-div.3","sectionType":"division","heading":"Repeal, savings and transitional provisions for repeal of Queensland Agricultural Training Colleges Act 2005","content":"## Repeal, savings and transitional provisions for repeal of Queensland Agricultural Training Colleges Act 2005","sortOrder":104},{"sectionNumber":"sec.57","sectionType":"section","heading":"Repeal","content":"### sec.57 Repeal\n\nThe Queensland Agricultural Training Colleges Act 2005 , No. 20 is repealed.\ns 57 ins 2020 No. 3 s 128B","sortOrder":105},{"sectionNumber":"sec.58","sectionType":"section","heading":"Definitions for subdivision","content":"### sec.58 Definitions for subdivision\n\nIn this subdivision—\nQATC means the Queensland Agricultural Training Colleges in existence under the repealed Act before the commencement.\nrepealed Act means the repealed Queensland Agricultural Training Colleges Act 2005 .\ns 58 ins 2020 No. 3 s 128B","sortOrder":106},{"sectionNumber":"sec.59","sectionType":"section","heading":"Words have meanings given by repealed Act","content":"### sec.59 Words have meanings given by repealed Act\n\nWords defined under the repealed Act immediately before its repeal and used in this subdivision have the same meanings as they had under the repealed Act.\ns 59 ins 2020 No. 3 s 128B","sortOrder":107},{"sectionNumber":"sec.60","sectionType":"section","heading":"QATC and other entities","content":"### sec.60 QATC and other entities\n\nOn the commencement—\nQATC and its board are dissolved; and\nQATC’s principal executive officer and each member of its board go out of office; and\neach board committee, if any, is dissolved and each member of the board committee goes out of office; and\neach college board, if any, is dissolved and each member of the college board goes out of office; and\na college director goes out of office.\nNo compensation is payable to a person because of subsection (1).\nTo remove any doubt, it is declared that subsection (2) does not limit or otherwise affect a person’s right to a benefit or entitlement that had accrued before the commencement.\ns 60 ins 2020 No. 3 s 128B\n(sec.60-ssec.1) On the commencement— QATC and its board are dissolved; and QATC’s principal executive officer and each member of its board go out of office; and each board committee, if any, is dissolved and each member of the board committee goes out of office; and each college board, if any, is dissolved and each member of the college board goes out of office; and a college director goes out of office.\n(sec.60-ssec.2) No compensation is payable to a person because of subsection (1).\n(sec.60-ssec.3) To remove any doubt, it is declared that subsection (2) does not limit or otherwise affect a person’s right to a benefit or entitlement that had accrued before the commencement.\n- (a) QATC and its board are dissolved; and\n- (b) QATC’s principal executive officer and each member of its board go out of office; and\n- (c) each board committee, if any, is dissolved and each member of the board committee goes out of office; and\n- (d) each college board, if any, is dissolved and each member of the college board goes out of office; and\n- (e) a college director goes out of office.","sortOrder":108},{"sectionNumber":"sec.61","sectionType":"section","heading":"State is successor in law of QATC","content":"### sec.61 State is successor in law of QATC\n\nThe State is the successor in law of QATC.\nSubsection (1) is not limited by another provision of this subdivision.\ns 61 ins 2020 No. 3 s 128B\n(sec.61-ssec.1) The State is the successor in law of QATC.\n(sec.61-ssec.2) Subsection (1) is not limited by another provision of this subdivision.","sortOrder":109},{"sectionNumber":"sec.62","sectionType":"section","heading":"Assets and liabilities","content":"### sec.62 Assets and liabilities\n\nOn the commencement, the assets and liabilities of QATC immediately before the commencement become assets and liabilities of the State held in the department.\ns 62 ins 2020 No. 3 s 128B","sortOrder":110},{"sectionNumber":"sec.63","sectionType":"section","heading":"Records and other documents","content":"### sec.63 Records and other documents\n\nOn the commencement, QATC’s records and other documents held by QATC immediately before the commencement become records and other documents of the State held in the department.\ns 63 ins 2020 No. 3 s 128B","sortOrder":111},{"sectionNumber":"sec.64","sectionType":"section","heading":"Current instruments","content":"### sec.64 Current instruments\n\nThis section applies to a contract or other instrument to which QATC was a party, or that otherwise applied to QATC, immediately before the commencement (a current instrument ).\nThe State is a party to the current instrument, or the current instrument otherwise applies to the State, in place of QATC.\nWithout limiting subsection (2)—\nany right, title, interest or liability of QATC arising under or relating to a current instrument is a right, title, interest or liability of the State; and\na current instrument, including a benefit or right provided by a current instrument, given to, by or in favour of QATC before the commencement is taken to have been given to, by or in favour of the State; and\nan application relating to a current instrument made in the name of QATC before the commencement is taken to have been made in the name of the State; and\na current instrument under which an amount is, or may become, payable to or by QATC is taken to be an instrument under which the amount is, or may become, payable to or by the State in the way the amount was, or might have become, payable to or by QATC; and\na current instrument under which property, other than money, is or may become liable to be transferred, conveyed or assigned to or by QATC is taken to be an instrument under which property is, or may become liable to be, transferred, conveyed or assigned to or by the State in the way the property was, or might have become, liable to be transferred, conveyed or assigned to or by QATC.\nThis section applies subject to section 69.\ns 64 ins 2020 No. 3 s 128B\n(sec.64-ssec.1) This section applies to a contract or other instrument to which QATC was a party, or that otherwise applied to QATC, immediately before the commencement (a current instrument ).\n(sec.64-ssec.2) The State is a party to the current instrument, or the current instrument otherwise applies to the State, in place of QATC.\n(sec.64-ssec.3) Without limiting subsection (2)— any right, title, interest or liability of QATC arising under or relating to a current instrument is a right, title, interest or liability of the State; and a current instrument, including a benefit or right provided by a current instrument, given to, by or in favour of QATC before the commencement is taken to have been given to, by or in favour of the State; and an application relating to a current instrument made in the name of QATC before the commencement is taken to have been made in the name of the State; and a current instrument under which an amount is, or may become, payable to or by QATC is taken to be an instrument under which the amount is, or may become, payable to or by the State in the way the amount was, or might have become, payable to or by QATC; and a current instrument under which property, other than money, is or may become liable to be transferred, conveyed or assigned to or by QATC is taken to be an instrument under which property is, or may become liable to be, transferred, conveyed or assigned to or by the State in the way the property was, or might have become, liable to be transferred, conveyed or assigned to or by QATC.\n(sec.64-ssec.4) This section applies subject to section 69.\n- (a) any right, title, interest or liability of QATC arising under or relating to a current instrument is a right, title, interest or liability of the State; and\n- (b) a current instrument, including a benefit or right provided by a current instrument, given to, by or in favour of QATC before the commencement is taken to have been given to, by or in favour of the State; and\n- (c) an application relating to a current instrument made in the name of QATC before the commencement is taken to have been made in the name of the State; and\n- (d) a current instrument under which an amount is, or may become, payable to or by QATC is taken to be an instrument under which the amount is, or may become, payable to or by the State in the way the amount was, or might have become, payable to or by QATC; and\n- (e) a current instrument under which property, other than money, is or may become liable to be transferred, conveyed or assigned to or by QATC is taken to be an instrument under which property is, or may become liable to be, transferred, conveyed or assigned to or by the State in the way the property was, or might have become, liable to be transferred, conveyed or assigned to or by QATC.","sortOrder":112},{"sectionNumber":"sec.65","sectionType":"section","heading":"References to QATC","content":"### sec.65 References to QATC\n\nIn an Act or document, a reference to QATC is, if the context permits, taken to be a reference to the State.\ns 65 ins 2020 No. 3 s 128B","sortOrder":113},{"sectionNumber":"sec.66","sectionType":"section","heading":"Current proceedings","content":"### sec.66 Current proceedings\n\nThis section applies to a proceeding that, immediately before the commencement, had not ended and to which QATC was a party.\nOn the commencement, the State becomes a party to the proceeding in place of QATC.\ns 66 ins 2020 No. 3 s 128B\n(sec.66-ssec.1) This section applies to a proceeding that, immediately before the commencement, had not ended and to which QATC was a party.\n(sec.66-ssec.2) On the commencement, the State becomes a party to the proceeding in place of QATC.","sortOrder":114},{"sectionNumber":"sec.67","sectionType":"section","heading":"Proceedings not yet started","content":"### sec.67 Proceedings not yet started\n\nThis section applies if, immediately before the commencement, a proceeding could have been started by or against QATC within a particular period.\nThe proceeding may be started by or against the State within the period.\ns 67 ins 2020 No. 3 s 128B\n(sec.67-ssec.1) This section applies if, immediately before the commencement, a proceeding could have been started by or against QATC within a particular period.\n(sec.67-ssec.2) The proceeding may be started by or against the State within the period.","sortOrder":115},{"sectionNumber":"sec.68","sectionType":"section","heading":"Registering authority to note transfer or other dealing","content":"### sec.68 Registering authority to note transfer or other dealing\n\nA registering authority must, on written application by the chief executive and without charge, register or record in the appropriate way a transfer of, or other dealing affecting, an asset, liability or instrument under this subdivision.\nThe chief executive must comply with any relevant procedures required by the registering authority for the purpose of registering or recording the transfer or other dealing.\nIn this section—\nregistering authority means the registrar of titles or another entity required or authorised by law to register or record transactions affecting assets, liabilities or instruments.\ns 68 ins 2020 No. 3 s 128B\n(sec.68-ssec.1) A registering authority must, on written application by the chief executive and without charge, register or record in the appropriate way a transfer of, or other dealing affecting, an asset, liability or instrument under this subdivision.\n(sec.68-ssec.2) The chief executive must comply with any relevant procedures required by the registering authority for the purpose of registering or recording the transfer or other dealing.\n(sec.68-ssec.3) In this section— registering authority means the registrar of titles or another entity required or authorised by law to register or record transactions affecting assets, liabilities or instruments.","sortOrder":116},{"sectionNumber":"sec.69","sectionType":"section","heading":"Matters relating to employment","content":"### sec.69 Matters relating to employment\n\nOn the commencement—\na person who, immediately before the commencement, is employed by QATC on a permanent full-time or permanent part-time basis, other than the principal executive officer or a college director, becomes a public service employee of the department; and\na work performance arrangement, under section 15 of the repealed Act, between QATC and another government entity ends; and\ndespite the provisions of the Industrial Relations Act 2016 , the following instruments stop having effect—\nthe instrument called the ‘Queensland Agricultural Training Colleges Certified Agreement 2016’;\nthe instrument called the ‘Queensland Agricultural Colleges Award—State 2015’.\nThe change of employer under subsection (1)(a) does not—\ninterrupt a person’s continuity of service; or\nprejudice an employee’s existing or accruing right to long service leave; or\nconstitute a termination of employment by QATC, retrenchment or redundancy; or\nentitle a person to a payment or other benefit merely because the person is no longer employed by QATC.\ns 69 ins 2020 No. 3 s 128B\n(sec.69-ssec.1) On the commencement— a person who, immediately before the commencement, is employed by QATC on a permanent full-time or permanent part-time basis, other than the principal executive officer or a college director, becomes a public service employee of the department; and a work performance arrangement, under section 15 of the repealed Act, between QATC and another government entity ends; and despite the provisions of the Industrial Relations Act 2016 , the following instruments stop having effect— the instrument called the ‘Queensland Agricultural Training Colleges Certified Agreement 2016’; the instrument called the ‘Queensland Agricultural Colleges Award—State 2015’.\n(sec.69-ssec.2) The change of employer under subsection (1)(a) does not— interrupt a person’s continuity of service; or prejudice an employee’s existing or accruing right to long service leave; or constitute a termination of employment by QATC, retrenchment or redundancy; or entitle a person to a payment or other benefit merely because the person is no longer employed by QATC.\n- (a) a person who, immediately before the commencement, is employed by QATC on a permanent full-time or permanent part-time basis, other than the principal executive officer or a college director, becomes a public service employee of the department; and\n- (b) a work performance arrangement, under section 15 of the repealed Act, between QATC and another government entity ends; and\n- (c) despite the provisions of the Industrial Relations Act 2016 , the following instruments stop having effect— (i) the instrument called the ‘Queensland Agricultural Training Colleges Certified Agreement 2016’; (ii) the instrument called the ‘Queensland Agricultural Colleges Award—State 2015’.\n- (i) the instrument called the ‘Queensland Agricultural Training Colleges Certified Agreement 2016’;\n- (ii) the instrument called the ‘Queensland Agricultural Colleges Award—State 2015’.\n- (i) the instrument called the ‘Queensland Agricultural Training Colleges Certified Agreement 2016’;\n- (ii) the instrument called the ‘Queensland Agricultural Colleges Award—State 2015’.\n- (a) interrupt a person’s continuity of service; or\n- (b) prejudice an employee’s existing or accruing right to long service leave; or\n- (c) constitute a termination of employment by QATC, retrenchment or redundancy; or\n- (d) entitle a person to a payment or other benefit merely because the person is no longer employed by QATC.","sortOrder":117},{"sectionNumber":"sec.70","sectionType":"section","heading":"Effect on legal relationships","content":"### sec.70 Effect on legal relationships\n\nA thing done under this subdivision—\ndoes not make the State liable for a civil wrong or a contravention of a law or for a breach of a contract or confidence; and\ndoes not make the State in breach of any instrument, including an instrument prohibiting, restricting or regulating the assignment, novation or transfer of a right or liability or the disclosure of information; and\ndoes not fulfil a condition that—\nterminates, or allows a person to terminate, an instrument or obligation; or\nmodifies, or allows a person to modify, the operation or effect of an instrument or obligation; or\nallows a person to avoid or enforce an obligation or liability contained in an instrument or requires a person to perform an obligation contained in an instrument; or\nrequires any money to be paid before its stated maturity; and\ndoes not release a surety or other obligee, wholly or partly, from an obligation.\nIf, apart from this subsection, the advice, consent or approval of a person would be necessary to do something under this subdivision, the advice is taken to have been obtained or the consent or approval is taken to have been given unconditionally.\nIf giving notice to a person would be necessary to do something under this subdivision, the notice is taken to have been given.\nA reference in this section to the State includes an employee or agent of the State.\ns 70 ins 2020 No. 3 s 128B\n(sec.70-ssec.1) A thing done under this subdivision— does not make the State liable for a civil wrong or a contravention of a law or for a breach of a contract or confidence; and does not make the State in breach of any instrument, including an instrument prohibiting, restricting or regulating the assignment, novation or transfer of a right or liability or the disclosure of information; and does not fulfil a condition that— terminates, or allows a person to terminate, an instrument or obligation; or modifies, or allows a person to modify, the operation or effect of an instrument or obligation; or allows a person to avoid or enforce an obligation or liability contained in an instrument or requires a person to perform an obligation contained in an instrument; or requires any money to be paid before its stated maturity; and does not release a surety or other obligee, wholly or partly, from an obligation.\n(sec.70-ssec.2) If, apart from this subsection, the advice, consent or approval of a person would be necessary to do something under this subdivision, the advice is taken to have been obtained or the consent or approval is taken to have been given unconditionally.\n(sec.70-ssec.3) If giving notice to a person would be necessary to do something under this subdivision, the notice is taken to have been given.\n(sec.70-ssec.4) A reference in this section to the State includes an employee or agent of the State.\n- (a) does not make the State liable for a civil wrong or a contravention of a law or for a breach of a contract or confidence; and\n- (b) does not make the State in breach of any instrument, including an instrument prohibiting, restricting or regulating the assignment, novation or transfer of a right or liability or the disclosure of information; and\n- (c) does not fulfil a condition that— (i) terminates, or allows a person to terminate, an instrument or obligation; or (ii) modifies, or allows a person to modify, the operation or effect of an instrument or obligation; or (iii) allows a person to avoid or enforce an obligation or liability contained in an instrument or requires a person to perform an obligation contained in an instrument; or (iv) requires any money to be paid before its stated maturity; and\n- (i) terminates, or allows a person to terminate, an instrument or obligation; or\n- (ii) modifies, or allows a person to modify, the operation or effect of an instrument or obligation; or\n- (iii) allows a person to avoid or enforce an obligation or liability contained in an instrument or requires a person to perform an obligation contained in an instrument; or\n- (iv) requires any money to be paid before its stated maturity; and\n- (d) does not release a surety or other obligee, wholly or partly, from an obligation.\n- (i) terminates, or allows a person to terminate, an instrument or obligation; or\n- (ii) modifies, or allows a person to modify, the operation or effect of an instrument or obligation; or\n- (iii) allows a person to avoid or enforce an obligation or liability contained in an instrument or requires a person to perform an obligation contained in an instrument; or\n- (iv) requires any money to be paid before its stated maturity; and","sortOrder":118}],"analysis":{"summary":{"complexity_score":6,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The original 1994 Act focused narrowly on rural adjustment assistance for primary producers. Over time, through multiple amendments (notably 2004, 2008, 2013, 2017, and 2020), scope expanded significantly to include: small businesses, regional communities, sporting and cultural organisations, authorised interstate and Commonwealth schemes, mandatory biennial rural debt surveys with coercive information-gathering powers from banks, a dedicated Farm Debt Restructure Office, and the absorption of the Queensland Agricultural Training Colleges (QATC) dissolution. The authority was also renamed from 'Queensland Rural Adjustment Authority' (QRAA) to 'Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority' (QRIDA), reflecting this broader mandate."},"complexity_factors":["Multiple interacting Parts covering establishment, functions, financial assistance, debt surveys, governance, staffing, and transitional matters","Assistance is only available through 'approved schemes' set out in separate regulations — the Act itself does not specify what assistance is available, requiring readers to consult subordinate legislation","Multiple layers of oversight: Ministerial directions, board governance, quarterly reporting, annual business plans, and mandatory reviews","Interaction with numerous other Acts (Financial Accountability Act 2009, Statutory Bodies Financial Arrangements Act 1982, Crime and Corruption Act 2001, Public Sector Act 2022, Acts Interpretation Act 1954, Ombudsman Act 2001)","Transitional provisions spanning multiple amendments (2004, 2017, 2020) including dissolution of a separate entity (QATC) and renaming of the authority","Power to compel information from banks and financial institutions with nuanced exemptions (confidentiality, self-incrimination, commercial sensitivity)","Interstate and Commonwealth scheme administration requires Ministerial authorisation with specific criteria","Conflict of interest rules apply to both directors and staff, with definitions of 'related persons' found in the regulations rather than the Act itself","Penalties expressed in 'penalty units' rather than dollar amounts, requiring cross-reference to calculate actual fines"],"plain_english_summary":"## What This Law Does\n\nThis Queensland law establishes and governs the **Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority (QRIDA)** — a government body that administers financial assistance programs for farmers, small businesses, rural communities, and regional Queensland more broadly.\n\n## Who It Affects\n\n- **Farmers and primary producers** (people who grow crops, raise livestock, etc.) who may need loans or financial support, especially in hard times\n- **Small businesses** in regional Queensland experiencing financial difficulty\n- **Rural and regional communities** more broadly, including sporting clubs and community organisations\n- **Banks and financial institutions** that lend to farmers (they can be required to provide information for debt surveys)\n- **Anyone applying for financial assistance** under schemes administered by QRIDA\n\n## What QRIDA Can Do\n\n- **Give out financial assistance** (including loans) through formally approved government schemes\n- **Help farmers restructure debt** through a dedicated Farm Debt Restructure Office — a specialist team to assist farmers in financial trouble\n- **Survey rural debt levels** across Queensland every two years, collecting data from lenders to understand how much farmers owe and how financially stressed they are\n- **Advise the government** on rural and regional economic conditions\n- **Administer interstate schemes** for the Commonwealth or other states (with Ministerial approval)\n- **Partner with banks and financial advisors** to deliver assistance\n\n## Approved Assistance Schemes\n\nQRIDA can only give financial assistance through **formally \"approved schemes\"** — these are programs set out in detail in government regulations (subordinate laws). The scheme must clearly state:\n- What the assistance is for\n- Who can get it\n- Any conditions attached\n\n## Review Rights\n\nIf you apply for assistance and are rejected (or have assistance cancelled or conditions imposed), you can ask for an **internal review** within 20 business days. The chief executive officer must decide within 30 business days. While the review is pending, the original decision is put on hold.\n\n## Key Rules and Penalties\n\n- **Don't lie on your application** — giving false or misleading information to get assistance is an offence (up to 200 penalty units, roughly $27,500 in Queensland). If you obtained assistance through fraud, QRIDA can demand immediate repayment.\n- **Confidentiality** — staff cannot share your information except in limited circumstances (e.g., legal proceedings, with your consent). Breaching this carries a 100 penalty unit fine.\n- **Directors and officers must act honestly** — 200 penalty unit maximum penalty for dishonest conduct.\n\n## Governance\n\nQRIDA is run by a **Board of Directors** that includes senior public servants and up to 5 externally appointed experts (with skills in finance, business planning, and rural industries). A CEO manages day-to-day operations. The Minister can direct QRIDA in the public interest, but must consult first and publish any such directions publicly.\n\n## Why It Matters\n\nThis law is the backbone of Queensland's government support system for farmers and rural communities. If you're a farmer struggling with debt, a small business in a regional area doing it tough, or a community organisation in rural Queensland, QRIDA is the body that decides whether you get government financial help — and under what conditions."},"issue_detection":{"absurdities":[{"type":"retroactive_impossibility","section":"sec.13D(1)","severity":"high","reasoning":"Section 13D was inserted by the Farm Business Debt Mediation Act 2017 (2017 No. 7). The survey period mandated under s.13D(1)(a) starts on 1 January 2012 — five years before the enabling legislation was enacted. The authority cannot retroactively conduct a survey for a period that had already passed. While this may have been intended as a savings/validation provision for surveys already underway, the mandatory language ('must ensure a survey... is conducted for the period') creates an impossible obligation for any period prior to commencement.","confidence":0.82,"description":"The authority is mandated to conduct a rural debt survey 'for the period starting on 1 January 2012 and ending on 31 December 2017', but this obligation was inserted by 2017 No. 7, meaning the authority is retrospectively required to conduct a survey covering a period that had already mostly or entirely elapsed before the obligation was created."},{"type":"impossible_compliance","section":"sec.13G(2)","severity":"medium","reasoning":"Section 13G(2) imposes a mandatory obligation ('must compare') to compare results against previous surveys. For the first survey required under the Act, no prior surveys exist under this legislative framework. The provision contains no carve-out or qualification for an inaugural survey, creating an impossible compliance situation. While prior surveys may have existed under other frameworks, the Act provides no mechanism to treat such surveys as 'previous rural debt surveys' for this purpose.","confidence":0.75,"description":"The authority's rural debt survey report 'must compare the results of the rural debt survey to the results of previous rural debt surveys', but for the very first survey mandated under the Act there are no previous rural debt surveys conducted under the Act to compare against, making compliance with this obligation impossible for the inaugural survey."},{"type":"circular_definition","section":"sec.8(2)(f)","severity":"low","reasoning":"The authority is given a function (partnering with lenders) whose purpose includes performing 'another function under this subsection'. Since partnering is itself a function under this subsection, the provision is at least partially circular. The partnering function partially justifies itself by reference to itself. While the other limb (s.8(2)(f)(ii) — furthering the object of the Act) provides independent content, the self-referential limb adds no discernible legal obligation.","confidence":0.65,"description":"Section 8(2)(f)(i) lists as a function of the authority 'to partner with commercial lenders and financial advisors to perform another function under this subsection'. This is partially self-referential: the partnering function exists to perform other functions including itself, creating a circular or at minimum vacuous sub-function."},{"type":"circular_definition","section":"sec.8(2)(h)","severity":"low","reasoning":"Incidental functions clauses are typically expressed as powers ancillary to primary functions. Elevating 'incidental functions' to a listed function in their own right means the authority has a function to perform incidental functions — but what counts as incidental is defined only by reference to other listed functions, making the provision's independent content nil. It is logically dependent on but formally co-equal with the functions it is incidental to.","confidence":0.6,"description":"Section 8(2)(h) grants the authority a function 'to perform functions incidental to a function under another paragraph of this subsection'. This is an incidental powers clause drafted as a substantive function, creating a logical oddity where the authority has a function whose entire content is defined by reference to other functions, including potentially itself."},{"type":"impossible_compliance","section":"sec.17(1A)","severity":"low","reasoning":"With a maximum of 5 appointed directors, a strict 50/50 split is impossible when the board has an odd number of members (1, 3, or 5). The qualification 'as far as practicable' somewhat mitigates this, but the underlying arithmetic conflict between 'half' and an odd maximum number creates an inherent tension. The provision as drafted cannot be perfectly complied with at common board sizes.","confidence":0.7,"description":"The staggering requirement that 'half the directors' terms end every 18 months' is mathematically problematic given that the board has 'not more than 5' appointed directors under s.16(1)(c). An odd maximum number cannot be evenly halved, making precise compliance with the staggering requirement impossible in all configurations."},{"type":"impossible_compliance","section":"sec.13F(4)(e)","severity":"medium","reasoning":"The rural debt survey's utility depends on obtaining financial data from lenders. However, s.13F(4)(e) allows any entity to withhold information that is 'confidential' or whose disclosure 'might be to the detriment' of commercial interests. Virtually all loan-level data held by financial institutions is confidential and potentially commercially sensitive. This exemption, read broadly, effectively nullifies the compulsory information-gathering power in s.13F(2), making comprehensive rural debt surveys practically unachievable through legal compulsion.","confidence":0.72,"description":"A relevant entity is exempt from providing information required for a rural debt survey if 'the relevant material is confidential to the entity or the giving of the relevant material might be to the detriment of the entity's commercial or other interests'. This exemption is so broad it could swallow the entire information-gathering power, since almost all commercially sensitive lending information could plausibly satisfy either limb."},{"type":"self_contradicting","section":"sec.16C(4) and sec.16A(3)","severity":"low","reasoning":"Section 16A(3) requires 'immediate' reporting of matters that 'may adversely affect' the authority's functions. Section 16C(4)-(5) requires reporting of matters that 'may significantly affect' the authority's functions within 1 month. The different thresholds ('adversely' vs 'significantly') and different timeframes create uncertainty about whether these are intended to be the same or different obligations. A matter that 'significantly' affects performance would typically also 'adversely' affect it, potentially triggering both obligations with conflicting deadlines.","confidence":0.68,"description":"Both section 16A(3) and section 16C(4) impose reporting obligations on the chairperson regarding matters that 'may adversely affect' or 'may significantly affect' the authority's ability to perform its functions, but use different thresholds ('adversely' vs 'significantly') and different timeframes ('immediately' vs 'as soon as practicable but within 1 month'), creating ambiguity about which obligation applies to which facts."},{"type":"other","section":"sec.9A(3)","severity":"medium","reasoning":"The procedural requirement to ask for the authority's financial interest opinion before issuing a direction creates the appearance of a constraint on Ministerial power, but s.9A(2) renders the authority's response legally irrelevant — compliance is mandatory regardless of what the authority advises. The consultation requirement is therefore purely cosmetic and creates no genuine check. This is not technically impossible but is logically absurd as a governance mechanism.","confidence":0.78,"description":"Section 9A(3) requires the Minister to consult the authority before giving a direction and to ask whether compliance would 'not be in its financial interest', but s.9A(2) mandates that the authority 'must ensure the direction or policy is complied with' regardless. The consultation is meaningless as it cannot affect the outcome — the authority must comply irrespective of its financial interest advice."}],"contradictions":[{"severity":"medium","section_a":"sec.7(1)","section_b":"sec.6(c)","confidence":0.7,"description":"Section 7(1) states the authority 'represents the State' and s.7(2) gives it 'all the privileges and immunities of the State', yet s.6(c) provides that the authority 'may sue and be sued in its corporate name'. A body with full State immunity would ordinarily not be sueable, yet the Act expressly permits suits against it, creating a tension between State immunity and legal accountability."},{"severity":"medium","section_a":"sec.13F(5)","section_b":"sec.13F(4)","confidence":0.8,"description":"Section 13F(4) lists exemptions applying to 'the relevant entity' (defined broadly in s.13F(1) as banks, financial institutions and lending entities). Section 13F(5) then requires notification of exemption claims only by a 'prescribed entity', a term that appears undefined in the provision and is narrower than 'relevant entity'. This creates an inconsistency where the exemptions apply to all relevant entities but the notification obligation applies only to the undefined subset of 'prescribed entities'."},{"severity":"low","section_a":"sec.12(1)(e)","section_b":"sec.13A","confidence":0.6,"description":"Section 12(1)(e) permits the authority to 'decline to deal with applications made by persons previously refused assistance under the scheme'. Section 13A provides that a person 'dissatisfied by a decision of the authority under section 12(1)(a) to (e)' may apply for internal review. Reading these together, a refusal to deal under s.12(1)(e) is reviewable under s.13A, but if the review confirms the decision, s.12(1)(e) permits the authority to permanently decline to deal with future applications — meaning a single original refusal can generate a perpetual and reviewable cycle of non-engagement."},{"severity":"low","section_a":"sec.3 (object)","section_b":"sec.11A(3)","confidence":0.55,"description":"The object of the Act in s.3 is to administer assistance schemes for Queensland's rural and regional sector. Section 11A(3) authorises the authority to administer interstate schemes only if the scheme's main purpose is to foster development or give assistance in 'another State'. This creates a structural contradiction where the authority can be authorised to pursue objectives for other States that are materially identical to its core Queensland mandate, potentially diverting resources from Queensland in ways inconsistent with the primary object."},{"severity":"medium","section_a":"sec.16(1)(a) and (b)","section_b":"sec.15(1)","confidence":0.65,"description":"Section 15(1) states the board is 'responsible for the way the authority performs its functions and exercises its powers'. Sections 16(1)(a) and (b) make the chief executive and the chief executive of the Finance Department ex-officio board members. Under s.16D these ex-officio directors can delegate their board functions to senior public servants. This creates a situation where the board responsible for the authority's governance can have its membership exercised by persons who are not directors and who owe primary duties to other agencies, potentially compromising the integrity of board responsibility."},{"severity":"medium","section_a":"sec.13B(3)","section_b":"sec.13C(3)","confidence":0.75,"description":"Section 13B(3) provides that the original decision 'is stayed until the chief executive makes a decision under section 13C'. Section 13C(3) provides that if the chief executive officer fails to comply with the 30-day review requirement, the chief executive officer 'is taken to have made a decision confirming the original decision'. Read together, if the chief executive officer never acts, the stay under s.13B(3) technically never ends (no decision has been 'made') yet s.13C(3) deems a confirming decision to have been made — creating ambiguity about whether the stay lifts upon the deemed decision."}]},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":5,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The Act’s operational scope has been expanded and updated in later provisions recorded in the text. Notable scope changes in the supplied text include: (1) explicit rules for the authority to administer interstate schemes and a requirement for Ministerial authorisation before the authority tenders or agrees to administer non‑approved interstate schemes (s.11A); (2) introduction of Ministerial written direction and public‑policy notice powers with consultation and reporting obligations (s.9A); (3) statutory rural debt survey duties, statutory terms of reference, powers to require information from banks and lenders (with exemptions and penalties), and mandatory reporting and tabling (s.13D–13G; s.13F); (4) establishment of a Farm Debt Restructure Office to assist farmers in financial distress (s.13H–13I); (5) confirmations that the authority is a statutory body for financial accountability and statutory‑bodies financial arrangements purposes (s.23–23A); and (6) transitional and repeal provisions transferring functions, assets, liabilities and records of other entities (e.g. QATC) to the State and the department (pt.7 and pt.8 provisions, including s.52–55 and s.60–70). These additions enlarge the authority’s data‑collection, reporting and interstate functions and add institutional oversight mechanisms (Ministerial directions, Gazettal, reporting), shifting some operational detail from the body to regulations and executive instruments (s.11; s.44)."},"complexity_factors":["Broad mix of institutional rules: establishment of a corporate State authority plus board, CEO, staff and special staffing rules (s.5–6; s.14–16; s.28; s.36).","Regulation-driven programme scope: approved assistance schemes are detailed and created by regulation, so substantive operation depends on delegated instruments (s.11; s.44).","Ministerial oversight and direction powers with imposed consultation and transparency steps (s.9A).","Significant delegated administrative discretion in scheme administration, loan terms, contracts, partnerships with lenders and internal procedures (s.9; s.8; s.12).","Statutory data-collection powers with penalties and confidentiality exceptions for rural debt surveys (s.13D–13F).","Multiple internal accountability and review processes (board reporting, CEO internal review, business plans, budgets requiring Minister approval) (s.13A–13C; s.16A–16C; s.24; s.35A).","Criminal/penalty provisions for false information, disclosure breaches and dishonest conduct with differing penalty units (s.39–42; s.13F).","Transitional and cross-Act interactions (Financial Accountability Act, Statutory Bodies Financial Arrangements Act, repeals and savings) that affect legal continuity and administrative responsibility (s.23–23A; pt.7 and pt.8 provisions)."],"plain_english_summary":"### What this Act does (mechanics)\n\n- Establishes the Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority (the authority) as a corporate State body with a seal, capacity to sue and be sued, and the privileges and immunities of the State (s.5–7).  \n- Gives the authority a primary, concrete task: put approved assistance schemes into effect — i.e. administer schemes and directly give the financial assistance those schemes provide (s.8(1); s.10).  \n- Defines approved assistance schemes as schemes that state the purpose and nature of assistance, identify eligible categories and are approved by regulation; regulations must set out approved schemes in detail (s.11). Regulations may also approve compatible Commonwealth or other-State schemes (s.11(4)–(5)).\n- Authorises the authority to exercise broad corporate powers (enter contracts, make loans, hold and dispose of property, appoint agents, charge for services, engage consultants) and to act inside or outside Queensland (s.9).\n- Requires that amounts of financial assistance paid under approved schemes be drawn from the authority’s assistance funds (s.13).\n\n### Who decides and who pays\n\n- The Minister and Governor in Council have appointment and oversight roles (appointments, chair, regulations, and some delegations — see s.16, s.24, s.44). The Minister can give written directions about performance or public sector policy if satisfied it is in the public interest; the Minister must consult the authority beforehand, ask for the authority's view on financial interest, and must Gazette the direction within 21 days; the authority must report directions in its annual report (s.9A(1)–(5)).\n- The authority’s board sets strategy and operational policies and supervises performance; the board consists of the chief executive, the relevant department chief executive, and up to five appointed directors (s.14–16).\n- The authority’s assistance funds pay for financial assistance provided under approved schemes (s.13). A scheme may provide for transfers to consolidated fund or departmental accounts, and for write-offs (s.11(3)).\n\n### Who is affected\n\n- Primary producers, small businesses and other categories identified in approved schemes are potential recipients of assistance (s.3; s.11).  \n- Commercial lenders, financial institutions and lenders to farmers are subject to specific powers when the authority conducts rural debt surveys (s.13F).  \n- Authority employees and board members are governed by governance, disclosure and conduct rules (s.16, s.21, s.28, s.36, s.38–39).\n\n### Key functions and programs described in the Act\n\n- Administer approved assistance schemes and related services (education, training, advice) and negotiate funding with all levels of government (s.8).  \n- Carry out research, develop policy and advise the Minister on issues affecting likely recipients and the financial performance/sustainability of the rural and regional sector (s.8(2)(c)).  \n- Administer authorised interstate schemes or parts of them, subject to Ministerial authorisation (s.11A; s.8(2)(g)).  \n- Conduct periodic rural debt surveys, with statutory terms of reference, powers to require information from banks and lenders (with specified exemptions), and reporting requirements (s.13D–13G, s.13F).  \n- Establish a Farm Debt Restructure Office to assist farmers in financial distress (s.13H–13I).\n\n### Compliance duties, enforcement and remedies\n\n- Entities required to provide material for the rural debt survey must comply with written notices unless specific exemptions apply; non-compliance attracts a penalty (maximum 100 penalty units) (s.13F(2)–(4)). The authority must not use the material for purposes other than the survey (s.13F(6)).\n- Officers and directors must disclose relevant financial interests and may be required to absent themselves from decisions; disclosures are to be recorded (s.21; s.38).  \n- Directors and officers must act honestly; breaches carry a penalty (s.39).  \n- False or misleading statements or documents for the Act’s purposes are offences with maximum penalties (s.41–42).  \n- If assistance was obtained by false or misleading information, the authority may call up loans and exercise security rights (s.43).\n\n### Processes for review and internal appeal\n\n- A person dissatisfied with certain authority decisions can apply for an internal review by the chief executive officer within 20 business days; the decision is stayed until review; the CEO must decide within 30 business days (s.13A–13C).\n\n### Where the Act delegates discretion and the operational trade-offs\n\n- Many practical outcomes depend on delegated design and regulation: approved schemes are created and detailed by regulation (s.11); the Governor in Council may make regulations about the Farm Debt Restructure Office (s.13I); the authority may set its own procedures in administering schemes (s.12).  \n- Ministerial directions (s.9A) introduce executive control over functions and powers but must be preceded by consultation and a financial-interest request. The Minister’s ability to direct is balanced by a transparency requirement (Gazette and annual report) (s.9A(3)–(5)).\n\n### Costs, incentives and implementation risks (mechanisms, not judgements)\n\n- Who pays: assistance is paid from the authority’s assistance funds (s.13); schemes may require transfers into consolidated fund or departmental accounts (s.11(3)(a)). The Act does not itself appropriate funds — scheme design and regulations determine funding flows (s.11).  \n- Concentrated benefits: schemes target categories defined in regulations; eligible recipients receive assistance directly from the authority (s.11; s.8(1)). The legislative mechanism concentrates decision-making with the authority (s.12) and with the Minister (s.9A, s.11A).  \n- Compliance burden: banks and lending entities may have to supply confidential commercial material to the authority for rural debt surveys, subject to specified exemptions and penalties for non-compliance (s.13F(2)–(6)).  \n- Information protection and limits: the Act restricts disclosure of information obtained under the Act to specified purposes and applies penalties for improper disclosure (s.40); survey material is restricted to survey purposes (s.13F(6)).  \n- Implementation risk and discretion: the authority has broad powers to design procedures, enter contracts and partner with commercial lenders (s.9; s.8(2)(e)–(f)), and regulatory instruments and Ministerial directions influence scope and operation (s.11; s.9A).  \n- Administrative accountability: board reporting to the Minister is required periodically and on matters that may affect the authority’s ability to perform functions (s.16A, s.16C), and the authority is subject to the Financial Accountability Act and Statutory Bodies Financial Arrangements Act (s.23–23A).\n\n### Practical effects on ordinary actors (straightforward statements)\n\n- If you are an eligible farmer or small business under an approved scheme, you can apply to the authority for assistance under the scheme (s.10–12).  \n- If you are a bank or lender, the authority can require documents or access for rural debt surveys; you have limited statutory grounds to refuse (s.13F).  \n- If you are a board member, officer or employee of the authority, you must follow disclosure, honesty and confidentiality rules and the authority’s governance arrangements (s.21; s.38–39; s.36).\n\n"},"kimi_summary":{"_metrics":{"completionTokens":643},"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":6,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The legislation has expanded significantly from its original 1994 focus on rural adjustment. Major scope expansions include: (1) 2004 amendments adding ministerial directions and enhanced governance; (2) 2008 amendments introducing interstate scheme administration; (3) 2017 amendments adding mandatory rural debt surveys and the Farm Debt Restructure Office; and (4) 2020 amendments absorbing the Queensland Agricultural Training Colleges. The body has transformed from a rural adjustment authority to a broader 'Rural and Industry Development Authority' with national reach and educational functions."},"complexity_factors":["Multiple amending acts (1996, 2004, 2008, 2013, 2017, 2020) creating layered transitional provisions","Cross-references to other Queensland legislation (Financial Accountability Act 2009, Statutory Bodies Financial Arrangements Act 1982, Public Sector Act 2022, Crime and Corruption Act 2001)","Nested conditional logic in ministerial direction requirements (section 9A: must consult, must ask for financial impact advice, must gazette within 21 days)","Detailed board composition rules with staggered terms and multiple appointment pathways","Extensive 2020 transitional provisions for dissolution of Queensland Agricultural Training Colleges (sections 57-70)","Multiple defined terms requiring reference to Schedule 1 dictionary","Conditional exemptions to information-gathering powers (section 13F: 5 specific exemptions with penalty units)","Internal review mechanism with strict timeframes (20 business days to apply, 30 business days to decide)"],"plain_english_summary":"This Act establishes the **Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority** (QRIDA), a government body that helps farmers, rural businesses and regional communities in Queensland.\n\n**What QRIDA does:**\n- **Administers financial assistance schemes** — loans and other help for primary producers, small businesses and community organisations, especially during tough times\n- **Conducts rural debt surveys** — every two years, QRIDA must survey farm debt levels across Queensland and report to Parliament\n- **Runs the Farm Debt Restructure Office** — helps farmers in financial distress with advice and support\n- **Can work interstate** — with ministerial approval, QRIDA can administer schemes for other states or the Commonwealth\n\n**How it's governed:**\n- A **board of directors** oversees the authority (including the chief executive and up to 5 appointed members)\n- A **chief executive officer** manages day-to-day operations\n- The **Minister can give directions** in the public interest, but must consult first and publish the direction\n\n**Key protections:**\n- Decisions about assistance can be **reviewed internally** within 20 business days\n- **Strict confidentiality** rules apply to information collected\n- **False or misleading applications** can result in penalties up to 200 penalty units and immediate recall of loans\n\nThe Act also includes extensive **transitional provisions** for merging functions from earlier bodies, including the Queensland Agricultural Training Colleges in 2020."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/rural-and-regional-adjustment-act-1994","history":"/api/acts/rural-and-regional-adjustment-act-1994/history","analysis":"/api/acts/rural-and-regional-adjustment-act-1994/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/rural-and-regional-adjustment-act-1994/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/rural-and-regional-adjustment-act-1994/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/rural-and-regional-adjustment-act-1994/documents"}}