217Disclosure of information for workforce planning

217 Disclosure of information for workforce planning (1) The Ministerial Council may, by written notice given to a National Board, ask the Board for information required by the Council for planning the workforce of health practitioners, or a class of practitioners, in Australia or a part of Australia. (2) If a National Board receives a request under subsection (1), the Board may, by written notice given to health practitioners registered in a health profession for which the Board is established, ask the practitioners for information relevant to the request. (3) A registered health practitioner who is asked to provide information under subsection (2) may, but is not required to, provide the information. (4) The National Board— (a) must give information received from a registered health practitioner to the Ministerial Council in a way that does not identify any registered health practitioner; and (b) must not use information received under this section that identifies a registered health practitioner for any other purpose. (5) The Ministerial Council must publish information it receives under this section in a way that is timely and ensures it is accessible to the public.