8DProcedure of Joint Authorities

#### 8D Procedure of Joint Authorities (1) The business of a Joint Authority consisting of 2 members may be conducted at meetings of the Joint Authority or by written or other communication between the members of the Joint Authority. (2) If a Joint Authority consists of 2 members and they disagree with respect to the decision to be made on a matter within the functions of the Joint Authority or the State Minister or the Northern Territory Minister (as the case may be) has not stated to the Commonwealth Minister his opinion as to the decision to be made on such a matter after having been given by the Commonwealth Minister not less than 30 days notice in writing of the opinion of the Commonwealth Minister as to the decision that should be made on the matter, the Commonwealth Minister may decide the matter and that decision shall have effect as the decision of the Joint Authority. (3) If a Joint Authority consists of 2 members, a reference in this Act to the opinion or state of mind of the Joint Authority shall be read as a reference to the opinion or state of mind of the 2 members of the Joint Authority or, in the event of their disagreement, the opinion or state of mind of the Commonwealth Minister. (4) The Designated Authority shall cause written records to be kept of the decisions of a Joint Authority and such a record, if signed by a person who was a member of the Joint Authority at the time of the decision, is prima facie evidence that the decision, as recorded, was duly made. (5) A document signed, on behalf of the Joint Authority, by the Designated Authority shall be deemed to be duly executed by the Joint Authority and, unless the contrary is proved, shall be deemed to be in accordance with a decision of the Joint Authority. (6) All communications to or by the Joint Authority shall be made through the Designated Authority. (7) All courts shall take judicial notice of the signature of a person who is or has been a member of a Joint Authority and of the fact that he is, or was at a particular time, such a member. (8) In this section, court includes any Federal or State court or a court of a Territory and all persons authorized by the law of the Commonwealth, of a State, or of a Territory or by consent of parties to receive evidence.