To whom does this code apply?
Board members
This code applies to all members of the board appointed under s 29X of the FCC Act.
Members of the Child Death Review Board (the Board) are required to adhere to this code in all activities related to their work as members. This includes:
- During board meetings
- When representing themselves as the Board members outside of meetings
- In all communications between members, the Chair, the secretariat and stakeholders invited or commissioned to perform work for the Board.
The Chairperson
This code applies to the Chairperson of the board (the Chair) appointed under s 29W of the Act.
The code applies to the Chair in their capacity as Chairperson and member of the Board. It does not apply to the Chair in their capacity as Commissioner or Chief Executive of the Commission.
Committees and advisory groups
The Board may appoint advisory committees, sub-committees and groups which may prepare reports and/or advice to support the Board’s work. Any person appointed to a committee (or another group) by the Board is bound by this code and will be held to the same expectations as if they were a member of the Board. Breaches of this code by committee members may be handled at the complete discretion of the Chair.
Contractors and consultants
The Board employs ‘appropriately qualified persons’ to perform work for the Board. Third parties who are engaged to perform work for the Board are bound by this code and will be held to the same expectations as if they were a member of the Board.
This includes:
- Researchers, academics and other similar parties
- Legal advisors
- Report development and writing.
These duties must be communicated to third parties in the agreements confirming their engagement. A copy of this code must also be provided to third parties before they commence work.
The Public service code
The Public service code informed the content of this document.
The Chair and other government members have primary roles in the Commission and other public service entities and they are subject to the Public service code when performing their primary roles.
However, the Board code takes precent over the Public service code in all matters where the Chair and the Board members act in their capacity as members of the Board. Non-government members are not bound by the Public service code and should always abide by the Board code.
In the unlikely event of an actual or perceived conflict between the Public service code and the Board code, the Public service code should be given precedent. It is recommended that advice should be sought from the Queensland Public Service Commission, the Attorney-General and/or Crown Law if a concern about a possible conflict between the codes arises.
The secretariat
Secretariat officers, including Senior Executives, are employed by the Commission which is a ‘public service agency’ for the purposes of the Ethics Act and they are bound by the Public service code. The Secretariat officers are not part of the Board membership and are therefore not bound by the Board code.