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 2000–01 is available on the Board Members page.

Meetings

The Council met on 1 August 2000 (Melbourne), 31 October 2000 (Canberra), 2 March 2001 (Adelaide), and 1 June 2001 (Perth).

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 development, implementation and assessment.

During 2000–01, 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

Email: ausindia.council@dfat.gov.au

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

Australian High Commission, New Delhi

The Council funds a locally engaged project manager, and a project officer on a part-time basis, 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 2000–01 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 Council Annual Report 2000–2001

Next: Appendix: Australia–India Trust Account Financial Statements 2000–2001

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