Terms of Reference and Membership

The States and Territories MOU Group exists as a conduit for the free flow of information and needs between the states and territories and NICNAS on OHS, environmental and health matters relating to the use of chemicals in Australia.

Each jurisdiction has a representative nominated as a member of the MOU. That person liases with contacts from various departments with a role in chemical safety, such as environment, health, and Workcover within their state or territory. This allows those regulating and controlling chemicals to raise issues of concern regarding chemicals with the Australian Government through their MOU representative and for NICNAS and its partner agencies to pass information to those involved in the day-to-day implementation of chemical regulation.

The MOU was signed in 1991 with the intention of formally recording arrangements to facilitate the operation of the Act, under which NICNAS was established, and states and territories legislation relating to industrial chemicals. Under the MOU, each state and territory is to consider and wherever possible implement each recommendation in an assessment report published by the Director, NICNAS and to inform the Director of any consequential action taken in respect of any recommendations. The agreement also provides mechanisms in relation to facilitating the operation of specific sections of the Act relating to new and existing chemicals.

MOU Group membership as at 30 June 2007 and attendance at 2006-07 meetings

Members	Representing	29 September 2005	23 February 2007
Dr Roshini Jayewardene (Chair)	NICNAS	b	b
Dr Usha St George	NSW	b	b
Mr Errol Conroy	QLD	b	b
Mr Bill Brodie	ACT	X	b
Mr Ross Bootes	VIC	b	b
Dr Jeff Langley	WA	b	b
Mr Joe Crea	SA	b	b
Mr Ian Graham	TAS	X ¹	b
Mr Stuart Beams	TAS	b ¹	x
Mr Lewis Norman (Secretariat)	NICNAS	b	b

1. Mr Beams attended the September 2006 meeting in place of Mr Graham.