What it does
The Social Welfare Commission Act 1973 (Cth) establishes a statutory body called the Social Welfare Commission as a body corporate. The Act sets out the Commission’s composition, governance, functions, powers, reporting obligations and the secrecy regime that applies to its members and staff.
The Commission is not an operational service delivery agency. Its statutory role is advisory, investigative and evaluative. Section 14 defines the functions. The Commission must:
- ascertain and report to the Minister on the social welfare needs of the community and make recommendations in respect of those needs;
- make recommendations for furthering a nationally integrated social welfare plan, including recommendations on priorities, regionalised administration, participation by affected persons, coordination across State, local government and voluntary organisations, adjustment of programs over time and avoidance of duplication;
- estimate and report on the likely cost of proposed social welfare programs and advise on relative priorities;
- keep social welfare programs under constant review and re-assess them in light of experience;
- propose measures to give organisations access to information and technical assistance;
- consider and report on measures to provide skilled staff for program implementation; and
- perform any other functions in connection with social welfare programs that the Minister approves.
The Commission may conduct inquiries, including public inquiries, and may engage persons or institutions to carry out research or make submissions. However, it may not incur expenditure except on behalf of Australia and only with the Minister’s approval.
Reports from the Commission to the Minister must be tabled in Parliament as soon as practicable. The Minister may also direct the Commission to furnish particular reports.