2.3 Categories of Government Boards

Queensland Government Boards can be divided into six broad functional categories: trading, governing, policy/review/specialist, regulatory/registration/appeal, trustees and advisory/consultative.

It should be noted that some Government Boards perform functions across more than one of the listed categories. e.g., the Electoral Commission of Queensland reviews the number of electoral districts in Queensland in addition to performing advisory and specialist research functions. The following classifications are based on the primary function of these Boards. Additional information should be obtained from the enabling legislation for each particular Government Board (where applicable).

Trading

Boards of public trading enterprises engaged in commercial activities - e.g. Port Authorities, South Bank Corporation and the Queensland Bulk Water Supply Authority¹.

Governing

Boards of Statutory Authorities which govern the operation of an agency - e.g. University Councils, Legal Aid Board and Legal Aid Queensland, Queensland Art Gallery Board of Trustees and the Queensland Theatre Company.

Policy/Review/Specialist

State level committees with a policy or coordination role - e.g. Local Government Grants Commission.

Boards and committees with a review role - e.g. Non-State Schools Accreditation Board and the Public Records Review Committee.

Expert committees with a specialist, scientific or research role - e.g. Radiation Advisory Council and the Horse Trails Scientific Advisory Committee.

Regulatory/Registration/Appeal

Boards with a regulatory or registration role - e.g. Dental Board of Queensland, Board of the Queensland College of Teachers and the Queensland Gaming Commission. Boards and tribunals with a quasi-judicial, complaints or appeals role - e.g. Energy Ombudsman Queensland and Referral Panel (Moratorium).

Trustees

Boards which manage public trusts - e.g. Anzac Day Trust and Boards of Trustees of Grammar Schools.

Advisory/Consultative

Boards and committees with an advisory or consultative role - e.g. Crocodile Management Advisory Committee, Multicultural Community Ministerial Advisory Committee and the Animal Welfare Advisory Committee.

The primary role of trading and governing Government Boards is to guide and direct the organisation. They set performance goals, ensure corporate compliance and management accountability, endorse strategic plans and approve operating budgets. They ensure that the organisation has the resources necessary to achieve goals, monitor progress and report outcomes.

Regulatory, registration and appeal Government Boards determine standards, monitor and regulate practice, grant licences, investigate complaints, review decisions and make judgements. In some instances, they can also have a governing role if they are responsible for a public sector entity, e.g. Building Services Authority.

Policy/review/specialist committees facilitate policies, plans or projects within and across portfolios.

Advisory committees advise and make recommendations to Ministers and agencies on policies, plans and practices or issues referred to the committee for comment.

Some roles are common to most Government Boards, namely to:

• be strategic - adopt a long term perspective, anticipate and respond to changes in the external environment and integrate various corporate functions
• be client focused - be aware of community and government opinion and needs; balance the demands of different stakeholders
• ensure the highest standards of financial accountability and ethical behaviour
• maintain effective planning, information and control systems to monitor progress.

1. In some cases these trading enterprises may be Government Owned Corporations (GOCs). GOCs are covered briefly in Chapter 11 of this Guide.

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