The Board's Conflict of Interest and Bias Policy

The Sentence Administration Board (the Board) has adopted a Conflict of Interest and Bias Policy to further support its independence and lawful decision making.

The Crimes (Sentence Administration) Act 2005 (the CSA Act) provides the framework for the Board to make various decisions about the granting and management of parole orders, breaches of parole orders, and breaches and the re-instatement of intensive correction orders (supervisory functions).  The exercise of supervisory functions by the Board is subject to the Human Rights Act 2004, and natural justice must be observed (s196 (1) CSA Act).  The twin pillars of natural justice are; firstly, a fair opportunity to be heard, and secondly, to have a case considered by a fair-minded person and body open to its merits.  The aim of the Policy is to ensure the Board and its members meet the standards associated with the second pillar of natural justice.

MEMBERSHIP OF THE BOARD

The Board consists of a Chair, at least one Deputy Chair, and not more than eight other members.  The Minister appoints members for a period not exceeding three years (s174 CSA Act).  The Chair and Deputy Chair are judicial members, who have been "a legal practitioner for not less than 5 years" (s174 (8) CSA Act).  The current Chair and Deputy Chair of the Board each have extensive experience across many aspects of the criminal justice system.

Membership of the Board is currently as follows: