6Approved programs

6 Approved programs

(1)  The Secretary, if requested to do so by the Minister, is to develop programs to assist in the support and development of the cultural and creative industries.

(2)  The Secretary may consult with an expert panel, or any person or body he or she considers appropriate, in the development of a program.

(3)  Without limiting the matters that a program may include, a program may include any or all of the following:

(a) details of the area of the cultural and creative industries that is the subject of the program;

(b) information to enable potential applicants to determine their eligibility to apply for assistance under the program;

(c) the criteria on which an application for assistance will be assessed;

(d) the type and level of assistance that may be provided;

(e) whether or not an application, or group of applications, will be considered by an expert panel;

(f) the terms and conditions on which any assistance under the program may be provided;

(g) such other matters that the Secretary considers appropriate.

(4)  The Secretary is to submit a draft of a program to the Minister for approval.

(5)  If a program submitted under subsection (4) provides for an application, or a group of applications, to be considered without an expert panel, the Secretary must provide the Minister with written reasons as to why an expert panel is not required.

(6)  The Minister must not approve a program under which the consideration of an application or group of applications is to be undertaken without an expert panel unless he or she is satisfied, based on the reasons provided by the Secretary, that an expert panel is not required.

(7)  Subject to subsection (6) , the Minister may approve a program with, or without, alterations.

(8)  Without limiting subsection (7) , the Minister may alter a draft program to provide that an application or group of applications for assistance be assessed by an expert panel.