Veterinary Surgeons Act 1987

The Veterinary Board constituted under the repealed Act is abolished and there is constituted by this Act a Board to be known as the Veterinary Board of Tasmania.

The Board – is a body corporate, with perpetual succession; shall have a seal; may sue and be sued in its corporate name; may do and be subject to all other things that corporations may do and be subject to and that are necessary for or incidental to the purpose for which it was constituted; and has the functions imposed, and the powers conferred, on it by or under this or any other Act.

All courts, judges, and persons acting judicially shall take judicial notice of the seal of the Board affixed to a document and, unless the contrary is established, shall presume that it was duly affixed.

The Board shall consist of 5 persons appointed by the Minister by instrument in writing of whom – one shall be an officer of the Department who is registered as a veterinary surgeon under Part IV and who is nominated by the Secretary of the Department;4 are to be appointed from a panel of 7 persons nominated by a selection committee appointed by the Minister.

The selection committee referred to in subsection (4)(b) is to be made up of – a representative from the Australian Veterinary Association (Tasmanian Division) or another organisation representing the veterinary profession; and a representative of the government; and a representative of consumers of veterinary services; and such other persons as the Minister considers appropriate.

Of the 4 persons referred to in subsection (4)(b) – 3 must – be registered as veterinary surgeons under Part IV; and have their primary place of business in Tasmania; and one must be a consumer of veterinary services.

For the purposes of subsection (4)(a), the Secretary of the Department may, if he is a registered veterinary surgeon, nominate himself.

If the selection committee referred to in paragraph (b) of subsection (4) fails to make a nomination as required by that paragraph within 30 days after it is requested by the Minister to do so, the Minister may appoint 3 registered veterinary surgeons as members of the Board.

If the association referred to in paragraph (a) of subsection (4A) changes its name to another name or ceases to exist under the name referred to in that paragraph, the Governor may, by order, amend that paragraph by substituting for the name of that association – that other name; or the name of some other association or organization that he is satisfied represents substantially the same interests as those represented by that association.

Schedule 1 has effect with respect to the membership of the Board.

Schedule 2 has effect with respect to the meetings of the Board.