23Establishment of Disability Inclusion Advisory Council

23 Establishment of Disability Inclusion Advisory Council

(1)  The Disability Inclusion Advisory Council is established.

(2)  The Disability Inclusion Advisory Council consists of at least 9 but not more than 11 persons appointed by the Minister on the recommendation of the Commissioner.

(3)  In appointing the members of the Disability Inclusion Advisory Council, the Minister is to ensure that –

(a) a majority of the members of the Disability Inclusion Advisory Council are people with disability; and

(b) the Disability Inclusion Advisory Council reflects the diversity of backgrounds and experiences of people with disability; and

(c) the Disability Inclusion Advisory Council has members with appropriate skills, knowledge and experience in matters relevant to the interests of people with disability.

(4)  Without limiting the persons that may be appointed to the Disability Inclusion Advisory Council, members may include –

(a) family members of people with disability; and

(b) carers of people with disability; and

(c) representatives of disability advocacy organisations, disability peak bodies and disability representative organisations.

(5)  The Minister is to appoint a member of the Disability Inclusion Advisory Council who is a person with disability as chairperson.

(6)  The members of the Disability Inclusion Advisory Council are to elect a deputy chairperson from the members of the Disability Inclusion Advisory Council.

(7)  If the office of chairperson is vacant, the deputy chairperson is to act as chairperson during the vacancy and, while so acting, may perform the functions and exercise the powers of the chairperson as fully and effectively as the chairperson.

(8)  Before appointing a person as a member of the Disability Inclusion Advisory Council, the Minister is to publicly invite, by diverse and accessible means, expressions of interest in the appointment.

(9)  The Minister need not comply with subsection (8) if re-appointing a person as a member of the Disability Inclusion Advisory Council for a consecutive term.