5.0 - BOARD MEMBERS

Board members are appointed in accordance with section 126(1)(b) of the Act. The Board is constituted both by the totality of its membership, and, when reviewing an involuntary patient or for the purpose of dealing with any particular matter, by groups of three members (one from each category). (s.129(2))

5.1 Appointment process
Expressions of interest for appointment are sought when necessary. Following receipt of expressions of interest, the applications are assessed by a panel convened by the President.

Following an interview process by the convened panel, recommendations are made to the Minister for Health. Appointments are made by the Governor in Council on the advice of the Minister for terms not exceeding three years and members are eligible for re-appointment. (Schedule 1)

The Governor of Western Australia has the authority to appoint (s.126(1)(b)) or remove persons from the Board. (Schedule 1)

Psychiatrists
Psychiatrists should be medical practitioners whose names are on the roll of psychiatrists kept by the Medical Board of Western Australia. Preference will be given to those psychiatrists who are Fellows of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists or equivalent.

Legal Practitioners
Legal Practitioners must be admitted as legal practitioners in Western Australia, and have relevant legal experience.

Community Members
Community members are to be neither psychiatrists nor legal practitioners and are selected from the general public.