Legislation
Parliament of Tasmania Education Office
Current Bills
Follow the passage of a Bill through the Houses of Parliament
It is important that Tasmanians know and understand the laws that apply to them. This includes proposals for new or amended Tasmanian laws (Bills). Like society, laws are not static, they evolve over time. The Parliament of Tasmania aims to provide access to the Bills currently before Parliament to ensure everyone is up-to-date with laws.
Statute Law
Under the Westminster parliamentary system, a Bill must pass through a series of steps before it can become an Act of Parliament. Each Bill must pass a three reading process in the House of Assembly and the Legislative Council before receiving Royal Assent from the Governor of Tasmania.
For a more detailed description of the passage of legislation see here.
The Tasmanian Legislation website provides free public access to Tasmanian legislation, including shortcuts to recently passed or amended legislation. The website is maintained by the Office of Parliamentary Counsel.
Subordinate Legislation
Subordinate legislation (also known as delegated legislation) is legislation made not directly in an Act of Parliament but under the authority of an Act of the Parliament. In essence, the Parliament delegates limited power to the Executive Government to make certain regulations. Subordinate legislation is necessary and often justified for its capacity to adjust administrative or technical details with undue delay. This is particularly useful for matters likely to change frequently.
However, Parliament not the Executive Government is the supreme legislative authority. As such, the Joint Standing Committee on Subordinate Legislation scrutinises delegated legislation on behalf of the Parliament.
Local Governments and by-laws
The Local Government Act 1993 gives Tasmanian local governments, limited powers to make by-laws for their municipality. Under the responsibility of the Tasmanian Government, the Local Government Division of the Department of Premier and Cabinet has more details on local government legislation.
Additional Resources
The following links may help teachers and students understand Tasmanian political history by locating historic or passed legislation:
Annual List of Tasmanian Bills
The annual list of Bills is a tool for following the progress of any Bill introduced into the Parliament of Tasmania since 2002.
Assented Tasmanian Bills
The Tasmanian Legislation website provides free public access to Tasmanian legislation, including shortcuts to recently passed or amended legislation. The website is maintained by the Office of Parliamentary Counsel.
Australasian Legal Information Institute
Teachers may find the AustLII website a useful search tool for accessing Australasian case law, legislation, law journals, scholarships, Australian treaties and law libraries.
Australian Constitution Centre
The Australian Constitution Centre is a collaboration between the Constitution Education Fund and High Court of Australia to support the teaching of the Australian Constitution. In addition to explaining the role of the High Court, this website
provides teachers with High Court case studies to support the teaching of the rule of law and the separation of powers.
Constitution Education Fund
The Constitution Education Fund is a not-for-profit organisation that exists to increase public understanding, awareness and appreciation of the constitutional framework of Australia. The fund’s website has education resources for teachers including on how to run a
school Parliament.
Federal Register of Legislation
The Federal Register of Legislation (the Legislation Register) is the authorised whole-of-government website for Commonwealth legislation and related documents.
Museum of Australian Democracy (MoAD)
Located in the Old Parliament House in Canberra, the Museum of Australian Democracy has a range of education materials to help teachers and students to understand Australia’s social and political history.