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Domestic and Family Violence Advisory Council

Terms of Reference

The Domestic and Family Violence Advisory Council [D&FV Advisory Council] is charged with providing high level and independent advice to Government on implementation of the Domestic and Family Violence Strategies, particularly in relation to regional and community issues. Council reports direct to Minister for Women, Young People and Senior Territorians.

A Domestic and Family Violence Interdepartmental Committee has also been formed. Its role is to coordinate and monitor implementation across the public sector.  The D&FV Advisory Council works closely with the D&FV Interdepartmental Committee with joint agendas and common key areas of focus.

Membership

The Advisory Council comprises 8 members plus the Chair.

The Minister for Women, Young People and Senior Territorians appoints the Chair and members for a two-year term. A member can be appointed to fill the balance of a two-year term as a casual vacancy.  However, the term being filled casually will not be less than a six-month period of time.

Members receive Sitting Fees and reimbursement for travel and accommodation, plus a standard travel allowance.

Meetings

The Advisory Council meets up to four times annually. Usually two meetings are held in Darwin and two in other regions. Additional teleconferences may be called, as required.

Subcommittees may be formed to undertake specific projects. The Chair appoints members of subcommittees, which may include co-opted persons with relevant experience.

From time to time, guests or observers may be invited to provide input, present to, discuss and work with the Advisory Council on particular issues. The Chair invites guests or advisers on behalf of the Advisory Council.

Terms of Reference

Provide advice to Government on:

1. Implementation of the Domestic and Family Violence Strategies in a Territory-wide context.
2. Improving cross-agency and community partnerships and alliances.
3. Designing, implementing and reviewing family violence programs and agreements between the NT and the Australian Governments, as well as making a contribution to schedules in overarching agreements.
4. Implementation of the revised Strategic Framework to manage resource shifts and improve reporting on domestic and family violence programs.
5. Problems at the local level and how to get early warning of these issues.
6. Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats relating to strategies and local program delivery.
7. Building better systems at the community and government level.

Role of the Chair

The Chair is responsible for:

• Managing the conduct of Advisory Council meetings.
• Ensuring that the Advisory Council is working within its Terms of Reference.
• Ensuring follow up action is taken on all decisions.
• Reporting to the D&FV Chief Executive Reference Group on behalf of the Advisory Council.
• Advising the Director of Community Engagement Division on conflicts of interest
• Working collaboratively to enhance the work of NT Government domestic and family violence programs.

Responsibility of Members

Members are required to:

• Develop effective partnerships with stakeholders.
• Provide strategic advice on domestic and family violence issues.
• Act as a conduit for the NT community, so that relevant information is provided to and from Council.
• Adopt a strategic focus and not advocate the interests of one particular group, sector, or organisation.
• Take an active role in furthering the work of the Council, both within and outside meetings.

If a member is unable to attend two consecutive meetings, that position will be deemed to be vacant, unless exceptional circumstances prevail.

Conflict of Interest

Advisory Council members have been appointed to provide independent advice on the implementation of the Domestic and Family Violence Strategies, in a Territory-wide context. Advisory Council members are required to consider the best interests of the Strategies, over and above any personal views or interests, and any association with a particular organisation, institution, agency or group.

Where a member experiences any conflict of interest, this must be immediately declared to the Chair.

Correspondence

Correspondence to the Advisory Council should be addressed to:

The Chair
Domestic and Family Violence Advisory Council
Community Engagement Division
Department of the Chief Minister
GPO Box 4396
DARWIN  NT  0801

Email: socialpolicy.dcm@nt.gov.au

Membership List

Click here to view the list of members