Section 390SH — Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999: Establishment of expert panel

(1) As soon as is practicable after making a final declaration under section 390SF declaring that a specified commercial fishing activity is a declared commercial fishing activity, the Minister must: (a) appoint, in writing, one or more persons (the members) as an expert panel to conduct an assessment and report to the Minister about the commercial fishing activity; and (b) with the agreement of the Fisheries Minister, specify in writing (the terms of reference): (i) the matters relating to the commercial fishing activity that are to be the subject of the assessment and report; and (ii) the date by which the panel must report to the Minister. Note: The Minister may revoke an appointment: see subsection 33(3) of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901. (2) The Minister may specify in the terms of reference the manner in which the expert panel is to carry out the assessment. (3) The Minister may, in writing, vary or revoke the terms of reference with the agreement of the Fisheries Minister. (4) The Minister must: (a) publish a copy of the terms of reference on the Department’s website as soon as is practicable after the Minister specifies or varies them; and (b) cause a copy of the terms of reference to be laid before each House of the Parliament within 15 sitting days of that House after the day the Minister specifies or varies them.