While the Council has set the agenda for change and provides advice in relation to problems, initiatives and actions, it has limited operational capacity and lacks the statutory authority to embed a culture of safety at all levels of the healthcare system. Statutory and regulatory responsibility and accountability for implementation lies with the Australian, State and Territory Governments and organizations in the private sector. Progress depends on coordinating the activities of Departments of Health and Human Services of nine sovereign governments.

The "levers for change" available to the Council were leadership, persuasion, advice and example, with the ability to develop strategies, frameworks, standards, tools and guidelines.

With the end of the Council's term approaching, a recent review recommended the establishment of an Australian Commission on Safety & Quality in Health Care (the Commission).

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