7Functions of the Authority

#### 7 Functions of the Authority (1) The functions of the Authority are: (a) to make recommendations to the Minister in relation to the care and development of the Marine Park including recommendations, from time to time, as to: (i) the areas that should be declared to be parts of the Marine Park; and (ii) the regulations that should be made under this Act; (b) to carry out, by itself or in co‑operation with other institutions and persons, and to arrange for any other institutions or persons to carry out, research and investigations relevant to the Marine Park; (c) to prepare zoning plans for the Marine Park in accordance with Division 2 of Part V; (caa) to make plans of management for the Marine Park in accordance with Part VB; (ca) to furnish information and advice to the Minister in respect of matters relating to the Marine Park, including: (i) information and advice in relation to any agreement (including any proposed agreement) between the Commonwealth and Queensland on such matters; (ii) information and advice on the following matters: (A) whether the Commonwealth should grant financial assistance to Queensland in respect of a matter relating to the Marine Park; (B) the amount and allocation of such assistance; (C) the terms and conditions (if any) on which such assistance should be granted; and (iii) information and advice on the following matters: (A) whether it is desirable that Queensland should make a payment to the Authority in respect of a matter relating to the Marine Park; (B) the amount and allocation of such payment; (C) the terms and conditions (if any) on which such payment should be given; (cb) to receive and disburse moneys appropriated by the Parliament for the purpose of payment of the moneys to Queensland by way of financial assistance to Queensland in respect of matters that relate to the Marine Park; (cc) to receive and disburse moneys paid to the Authority by Queensland under an agreement between: (i) the Commonwealth and Queensland; (ii) Queensland and the Authority; or (iii) the Commonwealth, Queensland and the Authority; (cd) to provide, and arrange for the provision of, educational, advisory and informational services relating to the Marine Park; (d) such functions relating to the Marine Park as are: (i) conferred on the Authority under this or any other Act; or (ii) provided for by the regulations; (daa) to exercise any powers, and perform any functions, relating to the Marine Park that have been delegated to the Authority under this or any other Act; (da) to provide assistance to other institutions and persons in accordance with section 7A; and (e) to do anything incidental or conducive to the performance of any of the foregoing functions. (1A) For the purposes of this section but without limiting the generality of paragraph (1)(ca), (cb), (cd), (d) or (daa), a matter shall be taken to relate to the Marine Park if it relates to: (a) the use or management of an area (which may be a Queensland national park or a Queensland marine park) the use or management of which would or might affect the Marine Park; or (b) the use of a place outside the Marine Park for a purpose relating to the Marine Park. (1B) The Authority is responsible for the management of the Marine Park. (2) The Authority shall perform its functions in accordance with any general directions given by the Minister not inconsistent with this Act. (3) In managing the Marine Park and performing its other functions, the Authority must have regard to, and seek to act in a way that is consistent with: (a) the objects of this Act in section 2A; and (b) the principles of ecologically sustainable use; and (c) the protection of the world heritage values of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area. (4) The Authority may prepare and publish plans and policies about: (a) the way in which the Authority intends to manage the Marine Park or perform its other functions; and (b) the way in which the Authority considers that this Act or a zoning plan applies: (i) in relation to persons generally or a class of persons; or (ii) in relation to persons generally, or a class of persons, in relation to particular circumstances. (5) A plan or policy prepared under subsection (4) is not a legislative instrument.