16Committees

16 Committees

(1) The Institute shall appoint a committee to be known as the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare Ethics Committee. (2) The functions and composition of the Ethics Committee shall be as prescribed. (3) Regulations for the purpose of subsection (2) must not be inconsistent with recommendations of the CEO of the National Health and Medical Research Council. (4) The Institute may appoint such other committees as it thinks fit to assist it in performing its functions. (5) The functions and composition of a committee appointed under subsection (4) shall be as determined from time to time in writing by the Institute. (6) The succeeding subsections of this section apply in relation to a committee appointed under subsection (1) or (4). (7) The members of a committee may include members of the Board. (8) A member of a committee holds office for such period as is specified in the instrument of appointment. (9) A member of a committee may resign by instrument in writing delivered to the Institute. (10) Except where the Minister otherwise directs in writing, a member of a committee shall be paid such remuneration as is determined by the Remuneration Tribunal. (11) A member of a committee (other than a member of the Board) shall be paid such allowances as are prescribed. (12) Subsections (9) and (10) have effect subject to the Remuneration Tribunal Act 1973. (13) A member of a committee must disclose at a meeting of the committee any pecuniary or other interest: (a) that the member has directly or indirectly in a matter being considered, or about to be considered by the committee; and (b) that would conflict with the proper performance of the member’s functions in relation to the consideration of the matter. The member must make the disclosure as soon as practicable after he or she knows of the relevant facts. (14) The disclosure must be recorded in the minutes of the meeting. (15) Subsection (13) does not apply to an interest held by a member of the Board who is an official of a State or Territory agency, merely because the member is an official of the State or Territory agency.