This is a single section from Chapter 20. Read the full chapter here.

Is legislation required to create a new public body?

Legislation should be used to create a new public body only when it is necessary in order to ensure that the body possesses the necessary powers, authority, and appropriate governance arrangements.

Legislation is required to establish a new tribunal, Crown agent, autonomous crown entity, or independent crown entity (see 20.3 for a discussion of these forms). However, it is not always necessary to establish a public service department, a departmental agency, or any of the other organisational forms mentioned below. Whether or not legislation is required must be assessed on a case-by-case basis, having regard to the need to:

  • confer a particular function (whether statutory or otherwise);
  • grant the entity powers it would not otherwise have by virtue of being a legal person;
  • establish appropriate governance and accountability arrangements;
  • give effect to international obligations;
  • give statutory recognition to the body; and
  • establish a statutory officer within a public sector agency who will have the task of exercising specific statutory functions or powers.

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