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2008-2009 THE PARLIAMENT OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES RURAL ADJUSTMENT AMENDMENT BILL 2009 EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM (Circulated by authority of the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, the Hon. Tony Burke MP)RURAL ADJUSTMENT AMENDMENT BILL 2009 OUTLINE This Bill amends clause 7 of the Rural Adjustment Act 1992 to allow for the appointment of National Rural Advisory Council (NRAC) members for three terms. The proposed amendment will remove the current provision that a person may, on one occasion only, be re-appointed as a member. The Rural Adjustment Act 1992 specifies that NRAC's main role is to provide advice on rural adjustment and regional issues including whether areas should be assessed as being in exceptional circumstances (EC). This Bill will ensure that current or previous members who have developed considerable expertise in undertaking EC assessments through membership for two terms can serve an additional, third, term and continue to contribute to NRAC. FINANCIAL IMPACT STATEMENT There are no financial impacts. 2
NOTES ON CLAUSE Clause 1: Short title 1. This clause is a formal provision specifying the short title of the Act as the Rural Adjustment Amendment Act 2009. Clause 2: Comme ncement 2. This clause provides the commencement date for the Act. The provision listed in the Bill commences on the day on which it receives Royal Assent. Clause 3: Schedule(s) 3. Clause 3 provides that the legislation and regulations referred to in each schedule of the Bill will be amended or repealed in accordance with the items in that schedule. Schedule 1 to the Bill repeals subsection 7(2) of the Rural Adjustment Act 1992. SCHEDULE 1 - Amendment Item 1: Subsection 7(2) This item is an amendment to allow a person to be appointed as a member of the National Rural Advisory Council for a maximum of 3 periods. 3