Terms of reference—Queensland Accessible Transport Advisory Council
The Queensland Government established the Queensland Accessible Transport Advisory Council (QATAC), as an independent advisory council to advise the government on building better accessibility on transport and roads projects across Queensland.
Foundation Council members were appointed on 11 March 2021, through an announcement by the Minister for Transport and Main Roads in the Queensland Parliament.
On this page:
- Background
- Key objectives
- Key roles and responsibilities
- Membership
- Roles and responsibilities
- Meetings
- Governance activities (including annual reporting)
- Terms of reference—amendment or variation
Background
The Disability Discrimination Act 1992 requires that people with disability be given equal opportunity to participate in and contribute to the full range of life activities, including access to the goods, services and facilities provided by government departments and agencies.
The Department of Transport and Main Roads is committed to reducing barriers for people with disability, which includes the provision of safe, accessible passenger transport services for all.
Key objectives
- To contribute towards the delivery of a single integrated transport network accessible to everyone.1
- To ensure early engagement with the disability sector and broader community, particularly during the design process to ensure that the product or service meets the needs of public transport customers.2
- To raise matters of concern or innovation important to public transport customers.
Key roles and responsibilities
The role of the Queensland Accessible Transport Advisory Council is to provide independent and strategic advice to:
- the Minister for Transport and Main Roads
- Department of Transport and Main Roads
- Queensland Rail.
The advice will include strategic policy and accessibility advice on significant products, services, information and infrastructure projects across the Queensland Government transport portfolio. This will help deliver an integrated transport network accessible to everyone.
The Council will also be available for consultation to the broader Queensland Government, delivery partners and local authorities upon request.
Council membership will include subject matter experts who are also representatives of marginalised community groups and/or people with lived experience.
In doing so, the Council will:
- provide strategic advice that complies with:
- provide frank, independent and strategic advice to the Minister and department and statutory bodies on:
- major policy, program and practice initiatives
- systemic issues impacting people with disability, their families and carers, with an emphasis on the experiences of people as they use public transport
- provide strategic advice to and supports significant transport projects led by the Department of Transport and Main Roads and Queensland Rail—this could include a range of elements including but not limited to:
- procurement activities
- feedback on infrastructure and conveyance projects
- awareness raising and training content development and the provision of expert advice
- act as a consultative forum as part of engagement processes during development of specific policy and program initiatives by government agencies, where the government or Minister request stakeholder views or where the Council decides it is appropriate to do so
- ensure focus groups are established to facilitate consultation regarding equivalent access or direct assistance and advise focus groups when needed
- produce reports to provide feedback to the Department of Transport and Main Roads and Queensland Rail, detailing activities and advice from the meetings and relevant focus groups.
Membership
The Queensland Accessible Transport Advisory Council will consist of:
- the Chair
- Department of Transport and Main Roads 1 representative
- Queensland Rail 1 representative
- 7 independent members appointed by the Minister for Transport and Main Roads for a term of up to 3 years.
All appointments to the Council will be made in accordance with the requirements of the Queensland Cabinet Handbook.
The 7 independent members will be expected to have:
- lived experience of disability, or belong to or be an established representative from 1 or more marginalised community groups
- subject matter expertise in a professional discipline relevant to the procurement, design and delivery of accessible public transport products, services, information and infrastructure
- an understanding of the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth), Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport 2002 (Cth), Human Rights Act 2019 and Anti-Discrimination Act 1991
- an understanding of universal design and co-design, in addition to Equivalent Access as outlined in the Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport 2002 (Cth).
The lived experiences may be drawn from the following population groups:
- blind or low vision
- deaf or hard of hearing
- physical disability or mobility impairment
- cognitive impairment
- elderly user groups
- parent groups
- youth justice groups.
The Council will be jointly administered by the Department of Transport and Main Roads and Queensland Rail.
If specialist expertise outside of the the Council's capability is required to provide advice for a project or focus group, the Council may engage external experts.
Expected member behaviours
To help maximise the best outcomes, all members need to demonstrate professionalism and abide by the following principles:
- openness and respect between members and of each other's comments
- sharing of information, data and resources in good faith
- consideration of alternative positions and views
- actively listen to all comments and points of view.
The Council is intended to be a safe environment for all to have the opportunity to raise discussion points. Members should not monopolise discussions or interrupt and speak over other members.
Term of appointment
The Chair and members will be appointed for up to a 3-year term.
Recruitment of Council members
An expression of interest will be called for members of the community to request to become members of the Queensland Accessible Transport Advisory Council.
Resignation
Members may resign their appointment by notice in writing to the Minister.
Removal from office
The Minister may remove the Chair or a member from the Council if they are unable or unwilling to operate within these terms of reference.
Filling vacancies
During the term the Minister may fill any vacancy on the Council. At the first instance, the previous round of nominations will be reviewed for a suitable member. If a previous nomination is not suitable, a public nomination process will take place to replace the member. Members that fill any vacancy will serve the remainder of the outgoing member's term.
Appointments to fill casual vacancies on the Council will be made in accordance with the requirements of the Queensland Cabinet Handbook.
Remuneration
Non-government members of the Council will be remunerated in accordance with the Remuneration Procedures for Part-time Chairs and Members of Queensland Government Bodies (Remuneration Procedures).
Public sector employees (federal, state or local governments) appointed to the Council generally will not be remunerated for such appointments unless approved by government.
Out of pocket expenses for members will be reimbursed in line with the Remuneration Procedures.
Conflict of interest
Members will immediately inform the Chair in writing of any actual or perceived conflicts of interest with the Queensland Accessible Transport Advisory Council. Members will take all reasonable measures to ensure that they don't engage in any activity or obtain any interest which conflicts with their ability to fulfil their obligation under the terms of reference in good faith and objectively.
Upon receipt of a notice of a conflict of interest, or if the Chair otherwise identifies a conflict of interest, the Chair may:
- direct the member as to how to manage the conflict of interest and the member must comply with any reasonable direction so given by the Chair
- escalate the matter to the Minister, who may elect to remove the member from the Council.
Confidentiality
Members must keep confidential all material and information discussed or received during or in relation to a Council meeting, unless that information is:
- already in the public domain
- being communicated as a part of community consultation formally undertaken by the Council
- communicated with stakeholders as approved by the Chair.
The members must continue to keep any such material and information confidential even after ceasing to be a member of the Queensland Accessible Transport Advisory Council.
Where projects discussed at Council meetings are already in the public domain, members are free to make public comment. For projects and other initiatives that are not yet public knowledge, Council meeting discussions are expected to remain confidential. Members should not publicly share these discussions through such channels as social media either during or outside of meetings. This will enable full and frank discussion and promote meaningful engagement on potential projects and initiatives.
Members who do not demonstrate a professional respect for others and the intent of the Council may be asked to leave.
Roles and responsibilities
Secretariat
The Queensland Accessible Transport Advisory Council will be supported with a Secretariat appointed by the Department of Transport and Main Roads.
Role of the Chair
The Chair will be appointed by the Minister. The Chair's role is as follows:
- provide leadership to the Council and ensure adherence with the terms of reference
- lead meetings to ensure that the Council functions efficiently
- conduct cross-agency and industry stakeholder engagement
- provide strategic advice to the Council on agenda items and priorities
- represent the Council at events or functions, as required
- liaise with the Council secretariat regarding Council administration
- report directly to the Minister, Department of Transport and Main Roads Director-General and Queensland Rail Chief Executive Officer
- advise the Minister of any instances of Council member misconduct, conflict of interest or non-fulfilment of duties.
Administerial responsibilities of the Chair is as follows:
- schedule meetings
- establish and confirm agendas
- determine additional work time in accordance with the Remuneration Procedures (if appropriate)
- decide and invite observers and other expert consultants.
The Chair is required to possess and demonstrate the following attributes:
- lead with courage, integrity and conviction to influence positive change for vulnerable customer groups
- recognised and respected leader in the community
- distinct passion for the work and thorough understanding of Council's purpose
- emotional intelligence and the ability to balance personal opinions with those of others
- ability to chair meetings and lead conversation to achieve meaningful outcomes
- provide effective oversight of Council duties through sound administration skills
- thorough understanding of sound governance and risk management.
The Chair shall nominate a deputy from among the members to carry out the Chair's duties should the Chair be unavailable.
The Chair shall offer their resignation in writing to the Minister should they be unable to continue in the role. The deputy will fulfil the Chair's duties until a new Chair is appointed and the new Chair will serve the remainder of the outgoing Chair's term.
Meetings
Frequency of meetings
The Queensland Accessible Transport Advisory Council will meet a maximum of 12 times per year. The number of meetings for both the Council and focus groups will be determined by the Chair.
Proxies
No proxies will be accepted for the 7 independent members. Proxies only permitted for the 2 ex-officio positions for the Department of Transport and Main Roads and Queensland Rail.
Quorum
A quorum shall be 5 members including the Chair or the Chair's deputy.
Meeting agenda items
If the Department of Transport and Main Roads, Queensland Rail or any external organisation wishes to submit an item for discussion to the Council, this must be submitted to the secretariat at least 2 weeks prior to the meeting. An agenda will be distributed to members prior to the meeting. Meeting minutes will be recorded and distributed to all members.
A set amount of time will be reserved for 'Member's Input' as a standing agenda item for each meeting. Members can advise the secretariat of any items they intend to raise prior to meetings or items can be raised during meetings. It should be noted that priority will be given to those items that the secretariat has been notified of prior to meetings if there are time constraints.
Attendance of non-members
At the invitation of the Chair, guests may attend meetings to participate in discussions on issues relevant to their jurisdiction. Guests will only attend for the relevant agenda item.
Governance activities (including annual reporting)
The Queensland Accessible Transport Advisory Council will:
- identify and report on priority areas for each year of their term
- consult with and gather feedback, information and advice from members of their networks, communities and experts
- provide clear and independent feedback, views and advice for the Minister's and/or the department's consideration on these issues.
Council organisational chart
Figure 1: A flow chart representing the governance relationship between the Queensland Accessible Transport Advisory Council and other bodies.
Terms of reference—amendment or variation
The terms of reference must be agreed to by most members.
Any amendments or variation to the terms of reference must be discussed and agreed to by the Chair and majority of members.
The Minister will have the final approval.
1. Aligns with Queensland Government, Department of Transport and Main Roads, Strategic Plan 2019-23 Vision & Purpose.
2. Aligns with the New Generation Rollingstock Train Commission of Inquiry recommendation number 17.
- Last updated 18 December 2023