Occasionally the committee will require you to give your opinion, or to vote on a motion, when you have not had time to consult with your constituency. If this happens:

• You can give an interim opinion (and state that it is such), pending consultation
• If you feel it is important, ask for time to consult. The item can then be deferred until the next meeting
• If you are unable to present the consumer view for a particular group of consumers, flag with the committee the need to undertake further consultation.

Consumer representatives can use the Australian Charter of Healthcare Rights, other consumer rights statements and consumer principles to explain the consumer perspective to the committee when they have not canvassed the views of consumers or if consumers are divided over an issue.