Administrative Review Council

A guide to standards of conduct for tribunal members

For a copy of this publication click here for PDF version or here  for Word Version orhere for HTML version

Summary of the Guide

The Guide was launched by the Commonwealth Attorney General, the Hon Daryl Williams AM QC MP, on 3 October 2000.  As it is not a report of Council, the Guide was not tabled in the Parliament.

The Guide was developed by the Council following an extensive consultation process including the release of an Exposure Draft, Principles of Conduct for Members of Merits Review Tribunals, and discussion forums with tribunal heads, members, agencies and other stakeholders. 

Having regard to the values of lawfulness, fairness, openness and efficiency underpinning our administrative system, the Guide suggests a number of principles of conduct against which the professional conduct and public respect of administrative tribunals may be measured and maintained.  The principles seek to reinforce the importance of respect for the law and for other others, fairness, independence, integrity and diligence, transparency, accountability and timeliness.

Each principle is supplemented by explanatory comments, focussing particularly on issues that prompted discussion during the consultation process.

The Guide was not developed with any particular tribunal in mind.  As well as providing direction on standards of conduct for Commonwealth tribunal members, the Guide can also be of assistance to members of State and Territory tribunals.

Response to the Guide

A Government response to the Guide was not required as it is not a report of Council and contains no recommendations to Government.