Yes, the Australian Government is undertaking a significant reform of its administrative review system, with the primary goal of improving its user-friendliness, efficiency, accessibility, independence, and fairness.
The key aspects of this reform include:
- Abolishing the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT): The AAT will be disbanded and replaced with a new federal administrative review body.
- Transparent and Merit-Based Appointments: The reform will establish a transparent and merit-based process for appointing and reappointing members to the new administrative review body. This process will include public advertisements to solicit expressions of interest and the selection of members based on specific criteria.
- Addressing Backlogs: Additional members will be appointed to the existing AAT to tackle the existing case backlogs.
- Sustainable Funding: Sustainable funding arrangements will be put in place to ensure the efficient operation of the new administrative review body.
- Case Management System: A single, updated case management system will be implemented to address critical business risks within the administrative review process.
- Efficiency and Process Improvements: Procedural efficiencies and process improvements will be introduced to streamline the administrative review process.
- Support Services and Early Resolution: Support services will be provided, with an emphasis on early resolution wherever possible.
- New Appointment Guidelines: New AAT Appointment Guidelines will be established to guide the appointment and reappointment of members. These guidelines will ensure a transparent and merit-based approach and involve an assessment panel to evaluate candidates against the specified criteria.
- Legislation Development: Legislation is planned to be introduced in 2023 to formalize the abolition of the AAT and the creation of the new federal administrative review body. A dedicated task force within the government is overseeing the implementation of these reforms and ensuring a smooth transition to the new system.
In summary, the Australian Government’s administrative review reform aims to enhance the system’s effectiveness and fairness through transparent appointments, streamlined processes, increased resources, and improved services, all culminating in the creation of a new federal administrative review body.