44Approval of strategic plan

44 Approval of strategic plan

(1) The CEO must give a copy of a strategic plan to the Minister for approval on or before: (a) for the first strategic plan—the end of 4 months after the day this section commences; and (b) for later strategic plans—either: (i) 31 January in the last year of the 5‑year period to which the previous plan related; or (ii) a later day, but not later than 31 March, in the last year of the 5‑year period to which the previous plan related, as allowed by the Minister. (2) The Minister must not approve a strategic plan unless the Ministerial Council has agreed to the plan. (3) However, the Minister may approve an interim strategic plan if the Ministerial Council does not agree: (a) to the first strategic plan by the end of 6 months after the day this section commences; or (b) to a later strategic plan by 31 May in the last year of the 5‑year period to which the previous plan related. (4) A strategic plan or interim strategic plan comes into force on: (a) the day on which it is approved by the Minister; or (b) the first day of the period to which it relates; whichever is the later.