Work plan
(1) The Commission must prepare a work plan during each financial year and give it to the Minister.
(2) The work plan must set out the Commission's priorities for work to be undertaken during the next 3 financial years.
(3) As soon as practicable after receiving a work plan under subsection (1), the Minister must give a copy of the work plan to each participating State/Territory Health Minister.
Consultation on draft work plan
(4) Before preparing a work plan under subsection (1) during a financial year, the Commission must:
(a) prepare a draft of the work plan and give it to the Minister; and
(b) do so during the period that starts at the beginning of the financial year and ends:
(i) at the end of 31 October in the financial year; or
(ii) if another day in the financial year is specified in a written instrument made by the Minister--at the end of that other day.
(5) As soon as practicable after receiving a draft work plan under subsection (4), the Minister must:
(a) give a copy of the draft work plan to each participating State/Territory Health Minister; and
(b) invite each participating State/Territory Health Minister to make a written submission to the Commission about the draft work plan within:
(i) 90 days after the invitation is given; or
(ii) if another period is specified in the invitation--that other period.
(6) In preparing a work plan under subsection (1), the Commission must have regard to any submissions made by participating State/Territory Health Ministers under paragraph (5)(b) in relation to the draft of the work plan.
Legislative instrument
(7) An instrument under subparagraph (4)(b)(ii) is not a legislative instrument.