Public Bodies Review Committee

Full description

Establishment and Function

The Public Bodies Review Committee was established under the Parliamentary Committees (Public Bodies Review) Act 1980 which was an amendment to the Parliamentary Committees Act 1968. The purpose of the committee was to ".. review each public body for review and report to the Parliament on the question whether or not the body should cease to exist" [S.48c.(1)].

The Committee is a joint committee of the Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council. The Committee's eight members are appointed by the Houses for the life of the Parliament in session.

Public Body Reviews

Public bodies can be nominated for review by the committee as a result of either a resolution of either House or by an order of the Governor-in-Council. Reviews are conducted with respect to a number of factors set out in S.48c(5) of the original Act. These include whether the objects of the body are worth pursuing in contemporary society, whether the body's operations are in the public interest and whether activities are conducted in an efficient, economical and effective manner.

The Committee must table a report containing its findings and recommendations before both Houses of Parliament. Bodies recommended for closure must cease operations within a year of the tabling of the report. Bodies not recommended for closure cannot be reviewed for a further five years, although the Committee can make a number of recommendations advocating changes to that body's functions, powers, structure, membership or duties.

Public Bodies Subject to Review

The following public bodies have been reviewed by the Committee:

State Rivers and Water Supply Commission and each constituted water, sewerage, drainage and river improvement trust or authority other than the Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works.

Albury Wodonga (Victoria) Corporation
Small Business Development Corporation
Victoria's Ambulance Services
Victorian Wheat Advisory Committee
Stock Medicines Board
Tobacco Leaf Marketing Board
Tobacco Quota Committee
Tobacco Quota Appeals Tribunal
Victorian Broiler Industry Negotiating Committee
Tomato Processing Industry Negotiating Committee
Wine Grape Industry Negotiating Committee
Poultry Farmer Licensing Committee
Poultry Farmer Licensing Review Committee
Victorian Egg Marketing Board
Victorian Dried Fruits Board
Victorian Dairy Industry Authority
Western Metropolitan Market Trust
Melbourne Wholesale Fruit and Vegetable Market Trust
Victorian Abattoir and Meat Inspection Authority
Film Victoria
Corporatisation of the State Electricity Commission of Victoria
Melbourne Fire Brigade.

Location of Records

Records of the Public Bodies Review Committee are listed below.

**Special Access Conditions**

Although records transferred from this agency are available for public inspection, special access conditions apply. The records have been transferred to the Public Record Office on the understanding that they remain the property of the Parliament of Victoria. Parliamentary records are transferred on condition that all requests for access will be referred to the Clerk of the Legislative Council/Legislative Assembly as appropriate, for determination in each case.

Application to inspect the records should be made to the appropriate officer and written authorisation must be presented at the Public Record Office Search Rooms before records can be made available for inspection.