11Policy directions

11 Policy directions

11 Policy directions

(1) The Ministerial Council may give directions to the National Agency about the policies to be applied by the National Agency in exercising its functions under this Law.

(2) The Ministerial Council may give directions to a National Board about the policies to be applied by the National Board in exercising its functions under this Law.

(3) Without limiting subsections (1) and (2), a direction under this section may relate to—

(a) a matter relevant to the policies of the National Agency or a National Board; or

(b) an administrative process of the National Agency or a National Board; or

(c) a procedure of the National Agency or a National Board; or

(d) a particular proposed accreditation standard, or a particular proposed amendment of an accreditation standard, for a health profession.

(4) However, the Ministerial Council may give a National Board a direction under subsection (3)(d) only if—

(a) in the Council’s opinion, the proposed accreditation standard or amendment will have a substantive and negative impact on the recruitment or supply of health practitioners; and

(b) the Council has first given consideration to the potential impact of the Council’s direction on the quality and safety of health care.

(5) A direction under this section cannot be about—

(a) a particular person; or

(b) a particular qualification; or

(c) a particular application, notification or proceeding.

(6) The National Agency or a National Board must comply with a direction given to it by the Ministerial Council under this section.