Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs and Other Legislation Amendment (Miscellaneous Measures) Act 2010 (33 of 2010)

Schedule 1   Amendments relating to the Social Security Appeals Tribunal

A New Tax System (Family Assistance) (Administration) Act 1999

10   After section 126

Insert:

Subdivision BA - Submissions from agency heads

126A Submissions from agency heads

(1) The head of an agency that is a party to a review of a decision may make written submissions to the SSAT.

Agency head may request permission to make oral submissions etc.

(2) The head of the agency may, by writing, request the Executive Director for permission to make:

(a) oral submissions to the SSAT; or

(b) both oral and written submissions to the SSAT.

The request must explain how such submissions would assist the SSAT.

(3) The Executive Director may, by writing, grant the request if, in the opinion of the Executive Director having regard to the objective laid down by section 110, such submissions would assist the SSAT.

SSAT may order agency head to make oral submissions etc.

(4) The Executive Director may order the head of the agency to make:

(a) oral submissions to the SSAT; or

(b) both oral and written submissions to the SSAT;

if, in the opinion of the Executive Director having regard to the objective laid down by section 110, such submissions would assist the SSAT.

Oral submissions by telephone etc.

(5) For the purposes of subsections (3) and (4), the Executive Director may determine that oral submissions to the SSAT by the head of the agency are to be made by telephone or by means of other electronic communications equipment.

(6) Subsection (5) does not limit subsection (3) or (4).