Committee of University Council

Established at Council meeting no. 110 on 6 December 2006 – Resolution C110/10.

Purpose

The Committee:

• Supports Council in exercising its governance responsibilities for the establishment of an appropriate and effective legislative foundation for the University; and
• Exercises governance responsibilities on behalf of Council in receiving and reviewing advice in relation to legal matters as required. 

Terms of Reference

The Committee advises Council on:

• proposed amendments to the University of Canberra Act 1989 (ACT) and any other matters relating to the Act;
• the appropriate legislative foundation of the University, comprising statutes and rules made under the University of Canberra Act 1989, and other statutory instruments as may be appropriate ;
• the outcome of reviews of the statutes and rules of the University, which the Committee undertakes as necessary and at least within a three year cycle;
• the objects, provisions and text of individual statutes and rules;
• significant legal and compliance risks and the mitigation of those risks; and
• any legal matter referred to the Committee by Council.

The Committee may determine, on the delegated authority of Council:

• policy or action strategies in relation to legal matters or in response to legal advice.

(Revised Purpose and Terms of Reference approved at Council meeting No. 136 on 6 August 2010)

Meeting Dates

The Committee meets on Fridays beginning at 11.00am.

Dates for 2012 are:

• Friday 16 March
• Friday 10 August 

Legislation Committee Composition

Category	Member	Period of appointment
Member of Council with relevant expertise as Chair	Mr Tom Calma	5 December 2008- 20 October 2011
One of two other members of Council	Mr Jason Paris	17 February 2012- 31 December 2012
One of two other members of Council	Professor George Cho	5 December 2008- 31 December 2012
Professor Stephen Parker	Vice-Chancellor (ex officio)

Staff Advisory Member

A member of staff with legal expertise

Professor Maree Sainsbury

Secretariat

Secretary - Secretary of Council	Ms Maria Storti
Minutes Secretary	Ms Maria Storti

Members will be appointed by Council and will hold office for two years, or in the case of student members, one year. Members may be appointed for an additional term. Membership will be staggered. Subject to Council’s approval the committee may co-opt an additional advisory member to ensure an appropriate level of expertise or gender representation. The Chair will decide whom to invite to be in attendance with speaking rights.