Section 251 — Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999: Minister must consider advice from Scientific Committee

(1) In deciding whether to add an item to, or delete an item from, the list, the Minister must, in accordance with the regulations (if any), obtain and consider advice from the Scientific Committee on the scientific aspects of the addition or deletion of the item concerned. (2) The Minister must: (a) decide whether to add an item to, or delete an item from, the list; and (b) if the Minister decides to add or delete the item—amend the list accordingly under subsection 249(1); within 90 days after receiving the Scientific Committee’s advice on the addition or deletion of the item. (3) A member of the Scientific Committee has a duty not to disclose to any other person the advice, or any information relating to the advice, before the end of that period of 90 days unless the disclosure: (a) is for the official purposes of the Scientific Committee; or (b) relates to an addition or deletion included in an amendment of the list that has already been registered as a legislative instrument under the Legislation Act 2003. Note: Amendments of the list to add or delete an item are legislative instruments (see section 249).