Industry Shorts

It's an ever-changing landscape when you work in the aquatics and recreation industry.  This month's 'Industry Shorts' gives you an update on the Children’s Services Regulations Forum, Food Safety Reforms, the Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008 and amendments to the Associations Incorporation Act 1981 (Vic).
 
Children’s Services Regulations Forum
 
The next forum on the rollout of the new Children’s Services Regulations for the Eastern Metropolitan Region will be held on Tuesday 18 August at the Glen Waverley regional office in Melbourne.  For more details on the new regulations and forums visit: www.education.vic.gov.au or call your regional Department of Education and Early Childhood Development office.
 
Food Safety Reforms
 
A new Food Amendment (Regulation Reform) Bill 2009 has been introduced into Parliament.  The focus of the changes are aimed at reducing the administrative burden for food businesses and community organisations.  Further information on the phasing in of the new framework is available at www.health.vic.gov.au/foodsafety or by contacting the Municipal Association of Victoria.
 
Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008
 
New public health and wellbeing laws will operate in Victoria from 1 January 2010.  The new legislation has been designed to cover a range of risk areas including the operation and monitoring of water quality in community aquatic and recreation facilities.  The new Act will repeal the current Health Act 1958 and the sets of regulations made under it.  A single set of regulations is being drafted and is due to be published in August / September this year.
 
Key stakeholders will be invited to provide comment before the proposed Regulation comes into operation in 2010.  ARV will keep you advised of this process and will co-ordinate an industry response as required.
 
Amendments to the Associations Incorporation Act 1981 (Vic)
 
The first stage of reforms to the Act are aimed at enhancing the rights of members of incorporated associations and improve internal governance.  These changes are expected to take effect in December 2009 and cover:
  • merging the roles of Public Officer and Secretary
  • how meeting minutes are to be prepared and accessed by members
  • how the association’s rules can be enforced by a member
  • the creation of a new right for members to claim “oppressive conduct” against the association
  • the ability of the court to appoint a statutory manager in the interests of the association’s members, creditors or the public
  • rules regarding surplus assets on the winding up of an association
Future reforms will address financial and annual reporting requirements, audit thresholds and external dispute resolution mechanisms.  As these changes will affect many community, sporting and recreation clubs, it is recommended that the respective committees should ensure they review governance and management procedures to ensure compliance with the amendments.