208Appointment of senior members and general members

#### 208 Appointment of senior members and general members Appointment by Governor‑General (1) A senior member or general member is to be appointed by the Governor‑General, by written instrument, on the recommendation of the Minister. (2) Before the Minister makes a recommendation to the Governor‑General, the Minister must: (a) seek, and take into account, the advice of the President in relation to: (i) whether the appointment would meet the operational needs of the Tribunal; and (ii) the financial capacity of the Tribunal for the appointment; and (iii) the effect of the appointment on the number of senior members and general members relative to the number of Non‑Judicial Deputy Presidents; and (b) be satisfied that the person was assessed, by a panel established under section 209, as suitable for the appointment through an assessment process that: (i) was merit‑based; and (ii) included public advertising of the position; and (iii) complied with the requirements (if any) prescribed by the regulations. Qualification for appointment—senior member (3) A person must not be appointed as a senior member unless: (a) the person is enrolled as a legal practitioner and has been so enrolled for at least 7 years; or (b) the Minister is satisfied that the person has at least 7 years’ specialised training or experience in a subject matter relevant to the jurisdiction of the Tribunal. Qualification for appointment—general member (4) A person must not be appointed as a general member unless: (a) the person is enrolled as a legal practitioner and has been so enrolled for at least 5 years; or (b) the Minister is satisfied that the person has at least 5 years’ specialised training or experience in a subject matter relevant to the jurisdiction of the Tribunal. Period of appointment (5) A senior member or general member holds office for a period of 5 years unless a shorter period is specified in the instrument of appointment. (6) If the instrument of appointment specifies a shorter period, the instrument must state the reasons why the shorter period is specified. Basis of appointment (7) A senior member or general member may be appointed on a salaried or sessional basis. Reappointment (8) A person may be reappointed as a senior member or general member by written instrument made within 6 months before the end of the period specified in the person’s instrument of appointment. (9) Before a person is reappointed as a senior member or general member, the Minister must seek, and take into account, the advice of the President in relation to the person’s performance against the performance standard. (10) Paragraph (2)(b) applies only in relation to every second reappointment of a person to an office after the person’s first appointment to that office under subsection (1).