The Premier's Memorandum to all Ministers No. 95-18 introduced new arrangements for appointments to Government boards and committees. These arrangements have been reviewed in the light of progress to date and with the aim of improving the handling of nominations for appointments. A major consideration is the Government's commitment to the principles of equity and merit in selections and appointments to public bodies.

The standard report form used for appointments has been modified with a view to achieving greater consistency in the information supplied. If the report form is copied onto an internal computer system it should be identical to the form attached. A template for Microsoft Word may be obtained by email from the contacts named in this circular.

This circular replaces Public Employment Office Circulars 96-11 and 96-42 and the versions of the appointment form issued with them. The following is a summary of the arrangements which now apply:

1. All proposed appointments and re-appointments to Government boards and committees are still to be referred to Cabinet. This includes full time statutory appointments to boards and committees and full or part time membership of boards, commissions, trusts and committees. It is emphasised that omission of any information will cause delays in submission to Cabinet.
2. The standard reports signed by the Minister and any other formal documentation for proposed appointments, are to be submitted to the Premier's Department two weeks before the weekly Cabinet meeting at which it is proposed the appointment is to be considered.
3. Names of people no longer on a board or committee must be advised in response to question 4 on the form, even if they are being replaced some time after the expiry of their term.
4. The information provided on these forms concerning board members' identity as being of non-English speaking background, Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent or having a disability is used for statistical purposes. It should be checked with the nominee and if it is to be withheld the question should be answered 'No'.
5. The information concerning positions on other Government boards and committees should also be checked with the nominee at each reappointment and not taken from a curriculum vitae which may be out of date. Members have a responsibility to the boards and committees which they represent and should not over-commit themselves by being appointed to many organisations.
6. Following clearance, the documentation will be forwarded to Cabinet Office for submission to Cabinet. Written advice of both the clearance and the result of Cabinet consideration of the appointment will be issued.
7. The name and number of a contact officer within the organisation should be advised.

Premier's Department will continue to contact Ministers' offices in advance of vacancies occurring to highlight imbalances in board membership, particularly in the numbers of women.

You are reminded of the Premier's Department Register which is available to assist with location of suitable people for board and committee positions. Searches of the Register can be arranged by contacting one of the officers named below.

C. Gellatly
Director-General