Public Lending Right Committee
Under the Public Lending Right Act 1985 a committee representing Australian authors, publishers and libraries is appointed by the Minister for the Arts.
The Public Lending Right Committee has number of responsibility under the Public Lending Right Act including determining the eligibility of claimants, the amount of payment to a claimant, approving payments under the scheme, and providing recommendations and advice to the Minister about the operation of the Public Lending Right scheme.
Current membership of the Public Lending Right Committee:
Chairperson
- Ms Evelyn Woodberry
Pro Vice-Chancellor (Academic), University of New England
Representatives of Australian authors
- Dr Georgia Blain
Representative of Australian libraries
- Ms Christine Mackenzie
Chief Executive Officer, Yarra Plenty Regional Library
Representative of Australian publishers
- Mr Michael Heyward
National Library of Australia representative
- Ms Christine Foster
Attorney-General's Department representative
- Ms Kirsti Haipola
Review of decisions of the Public Lending Right Committee
Section 20 of the Public Lending Right Act 1985 (the Act) provides for reconsideration by the Public Lending Right Committee (the Committee) of its decisions, and if necessary, by the Commonwealth Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT).
Reconsideration of decisions by the Committee
In accordance with subsection 20(3) of the Act, if you are dissatisfied with a decision of the Committee you have the right to request that it reconsider the decision.
A request for reconsideration must be made in writing within 28 days after receipt of the original decision. The Committee may extend this time limit. A late application should say why you consider the time limit should be extended.
There is no fee for reconsideration. Your request should quote the reference number (your claimant number) and in accordance with subsection 20(4) of the Act must set out the grounds on which you consider the decision should be reconsidered.
The Committee may then confirm the original decision, vary the original decision or set it aside and make a new decision.
Requests for a reconsideration of a decision by the Committee should be addressed to:
Public Lending Right Committee
C/o Lending Rights team
GPO Box 3241
Canberra ACT 2601
Toll free: 1800 672 842
Fax: 02 6210 2907
Email:plr.mail@pmc.gov.au
elr.mail@pmc.gov.au
Review of decisions by the AAT
If you make a request for reconsideration of a decision by the PLRC under subsection 20(3) of the Act and a decision is not made within 90 days of receiving the request, the decision is deemed to have been confirmed. In that case, or if you are dissatisfied with any reconsideration decision of the PLRC, then subject to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal Act 1975 you may apply to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) for a review of the original decision or any reconsideration decision.
The AAT is an independent body with broad powers, including the power to make a fresh decision. Further information on making an application to the AAT is available by phoning the AAT on 1800 366 700.