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State Policy Council meets for first time

16 Oct 2009

The inaugural meeting of the Livestock Health and Pest Authorities State Policy Council was held yesterday in Orange, with the appointment process for the State Management Council the main agenda item.

The newly formed State Policy Council is the body responsible for selecting and appointing members of the State Management Council, and providing policy direction to authorities and policy guidance to the State Council.

Central North LHPA director Lawrie Donoghue was elected chairman of the State Policy Council, while Mac Wilson from the Tablelands LHPA was elected deputy chairman.

Mr Donoghue says he is pleased with the outcomes from yesterday's meeting.

"The inaugural meeting of the State Policy Council marked a significant step in the Livestock Health and Pest Authorities' reform process," Mr Donoghue said.

"Several key governance items were covered at the meeting including the appointment process for the State Management Council, and the Policy Council's constitution and subscription formula.

"It was also an opportunity to discuss current operational issues, such as the expected locust swarms in the Central West, increasing rabbit numbers and the sheep lice policy which is under review."

The State Policy Council is made up of members from each of the 14 Livestock Health and Pest Authorities.

The functions of the State Policy Council include:

the determination of general policies to be implemented by authorities for the protection of rural lands
the determination of primary policies to guide the State Council in carrying out its functions
the selection on merit, and appointment, of members of the State Council
the determination of the amount payable by each authority as a portion of the annual State Council budget.

The formation of the State Policy Council was one of the recommendations in the IMC review of the former Rural Lands Protection Board system.

The next meeting of the State Policy Council is scheduled for December.

Media contact: Suzie Robinson 6391 3720 / 0428 465 378