Establishment

The Australia-India Council was established on 21 May 1992 by an
Order-in-Council of the Australian Government.

Annual report

The Council reports to the Minister for Foreign Affairs. Although not formally
required to do so, the Council regularly submits an annual report on its
activities to the Minister and to the Australian Parliament.

Auditor's report

The financial affairs of the Council are examined by the Australian National
Audit Office as part of its examination of the financial accounts of the
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Membership

Council membership consists of a Chairman and from 4 to 14 other members,
appointed by the Governor-General on the recommendation of the Minister for
Foreign Affairs. A full list of members during 1998-99 is at pages 6 to 8.

Meetings

The Council met during 1998-99 on 14 August 1998 (Sydney), 6 November 1998
(Canberra), and 20 April 1999 (Adelaide).

Remuneration

Members receive sitting fees for attendance at Council meetings and for other
agreed Council business, at rates determined under the Remuneration
Tribunal Act 1973, as amended, for part-time members of non-statutory
bodies. Members are also eligible for travel allowances at rates determined
under the Act and for reimbursement of travel costs incurred on Council
business.

Secretariat and staffing

The principal functions of the Australia-India Council secretariat are to make
recommendations to the Council's board on program expenditure and other
matters, to implement board decisions and to provide administrative support.
This support includes project identification, development and implementation.

During 1998-1999, the secretariat was located in the Mainland South-East
Asia and South Asia Branch of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, RG
Casey Building, John McEwen Crescent, Barton, ACT 0221 and was staffed by two
departmental officers, Mr John Powys (Director) and Mr Ian Black (Project
Officer).

Contact details:

Australia-India Council

PO Box 5363

Kingston ACT 2604

Telephone: (02) 6261 3833

Facsimile:(02) 6261 1304

Home page: www.dfat.gov.au/aic/aichome.html

Australian High Commission, New Delhi

The Council funds a locally engaged project manager within the Public Affairs
Section of the Australian High Commission in New Delhi to implement and manage
its programs in India, as required. The AIC project manager in New Delhi
during 1998-99 was Ms Asha Das. Contact details in New Delhi are:

Public Affairs Section

Australian High Commission

PO Box 5210

New Delhi 110 021 INDIA

Telephone:+91 11 688 8223

Facsimile:+91 11 688 2732

Industrial Democracy and Equal Employment Opportunity

Secretariat staff are covered by the Industrial Democracy and Equal Employment
Opportunity provisions formulated by the Department of Foreign Affairs and
Trade. The activities and programs of the Council also fall within the Access
and Equity plan of the Department.

Freedom of information

The Council received no applications under the Freedom of Information Act
1982 during the reporting period.

Australia-India Focus newsletter

Free subscriptions to the Australia-India Focus newsletter can be
arranged through:

Australia-India Business Council

PO Box E14

KINGSTON ACT 2604

Telephone:(02) 6273 2311

Facsimile:(02) 6273 3196

e-mail: bilats@acci.asn.au

Suggestions or material for the newsletter can be sent to:

Mr Christopher Snedden

Telephone/

Facsimile:(03) 9482 3837

Editor, Australia-India Focus

e-mail: c.snedden@alphalink.com.au