Statutory committees and bodies

The Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (AWAC) is established under part 7 of the Animal Welfare Act 1999 and constituted under part 4 of the Regulations, and comprises ten members appointed by the minister.

The functions of AWAC include:

• advising the minister on animal welfare legislation and other relevant matters
• investigating and reporting on matters relevant to animal welfare referred to the committee by the minister
• participating in the development of codes of practice and review of adopted codes of practice
• providing advice to bodies, organisations or the general community on programs to improve community awareness about animal welfare
• any other functions prescribed by the regulations.

AWAC members are nominated by, and represent the interests of, the following organisations:

• Animal welfare organisation incorporated in the NT (RSPCA Darwin Regional Branch Incorporated)
• Australian Veterinary Association Ltd
• Local Government Association of the Northern Territory
• Northern Territory Cattlemen’s Association Inc.
• Charles Darwin University
• Parks and Wildlife Commission of the Northern Territory
• Pet Industry Association of Australia
• Animal Management in Rural and Remote Indigenous Communities

Under Section 24 of the Fisheries Act 1988, the minister can establish management advisory committees for each management area or managed fishery to assist the Director of Fisheries in preparing proposed plans and giving advice about management plans.

The committees must be chaired by a person nominated by the minister and may include members representing commercial, processing, wholesaling, retailing, recreational, consumer, or other interests in the area relating to fishing, fish or aquatic life.

There are currently four committees operating:

• Mud Crab Fishery Management Advisory Committee (MCFMAC)
• Offshore Snapper Fishery Management Advisory Committee (OSFMAC)
• Coastal Line Fishery Management Advisory Committee (CLFMAC)
• Recreational Fishing Advisory Committee (RFAC).

The MCFMAC, OSFMAC and CLFMAC provide advice to the director and the minister on new management actions in each of these important fisheries. Membership includes representatives from industry, fishing tourism, recreational fishing, the Northern Land Council and an environmental non‑government organisation.

The RFAC provides advice to the minister on key matters of importance related to recreational fishing. One of its primary roles is delivery of objectives in the NT Government’s Recreational Fishing Development Plan 2012‑2022. The plan identifies the key strategic issues facing recreational fishing over the next decade and contains a broad range of strategies and actions to ensure the quality of NT fisheries and recreational fishing opportunities are maintained and enhanced. The committee comprises members from around the NT with a wide range of skills and experience in recreational fishing.

The Director of Fisheries chairs the Fishing Industry Research and Development Trust Fund Advisory Committee consistent with section 52 of the Fisheries Act 1988. The trust fund receives income from commercial fishing licence fees. Expenditure from the fund supports development of the fishing industry, including research into fish, aquatic life, fishing, fisheries, the fishing environment and other related matters.

The Mining Advisory Committee is also called the statutory Mining Board, established under part 6 of the Mining Management Act 2001. Members are appointed for their individual skills and knowledge of mining or related industries to provide strategic advice to the minister on relevant issues.

The Mining Advisory Committee’s functions and powers are outlined in section 50 of the Mining Management Act 2001. Functions include the power to form a review panel if a person applies for review of a decision made under the Mining Management Act 2001 by the minister or his delegate. No reviews were required during the reporting period.

NT Fishing Industry Research and Development Trust Fund Advisory Committee

The Director of Fisheries chairs the Fishing Industry Research and Development Trust Fund Advisory Committee consistent with section 52 of the Fisheries Act 1988. The trust fund receives income from commercial fishing licence fees. Expenditure from the fund supports development of the fishing industry, including research into fish, aquatic life, fishing, fisheries, the fishing environment and other related matters.

The Veterinary Board of the Northern Territory  (the Board) was established under Part 2 of the Veterinarians Act 1994 (the Act).

The Board administers the Act, Regulations and the Code of Conduct. The Act charges the Board with responsibility for registering appropriately qualified persons as veterinary surgeons and veterinary specialists, enabling them to practice veterinary surgery in the NT.

The functions of the Board include:

• promoting high standards of professional conduct in the provision of veterinary services
• determining applications for registration from veterinarians and veterinary specialists wishing to practice in the NT
• exercising the disciplinary powers conferred by the Act
• investigating matters relating to the professional conduct of registered veterinarians or veterinary specialists, or the provision of veterinary services
• issuing guidelines in relation to standards to be observed by registered veterinarians and veterinary specialists in, and in connection with, the provision of veterinary services
• making the public aware of the Board’s existence and its functions
• giving advice, where requested, on matters relating to the professional conduct of a registered veterinarian or veterinary specialist, or the provision of veterinary services
• investigating and prosecuting suspected offences against the Act.

The Board held four meetings during 2018‑19. Elections to the Board resulted in one new veterinarian member. The Board registered 297 veterinarians and received eight complaints. Following due process, five complaints were dismissed.