Victorian Legislation: introduction
Introduction:
Parliament of Victoria Explains How a Law is Made This Parliament of Victoria website provides a series of videos on topics including : How a Law is Made
The Legislative Process Handbook (PDF) (Office of the Chief Parliamentary Counsel, Victoria). The handbook has two main components. The first component (in Chapters 1 & 2) is a guide to navigating an Act of Parliament. The second component sets out the process for obtaining authority to draft a Bill, the role of the drafter and the drafting process, procedures for introducing Bills into Parliament, the role of the Scrutiny of Acts and Regulations Committee, and steps through the procedure for the passage of Bills through Parliament.
Interpretation of Legislation Act 1984 (Vic) s 35(b) .... consideration may be given to any matter or document that is relevant including but not limited to: (i) all indications provided by the Act or subordinate instrument as printed by authority, including punctuation.
Victorian Acts and Regulations: Official Version
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NOTE: The Victorian Legislation and Parliamentary Documents Database contains 'authorised electronic versions' of Victorian Acts and Statutory Rules which have the same evidentiary value as a hardcopy Act or Statutory Rule printed by the Victorian Government Printer, under the Interpretation of Legislation Act 1984 (Vic) s 64. |
Use the databases linked below to access the 'authorised electronic versions' of Victorian Acts & Statutory Rules in full text.
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Victorian Legislation and Parliamentary DocumentsAuthorised electronic versions of consolidatoin and as-passed Victorian Acts and Statutory Rules, are published on this website, from 1 January 2011 to current.
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Lawlex PremiumSearch for legislation in Jurisdiction - Victoria and click through to the authorised version the Act or Regulation on the Victorian Legislation website.
Victorian Acts and Regulations: unofficial online versions
The databases linked below provide unofficial, unauthorised online verions Victorian Acts & Statutory Rules in full text. These databases can be useful for research purposes but they do not provide authorised versions of Victorian legislation.
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Victorian Acts and Regulations (AustLII)Victorian Current Acts consolidated
Victorian Numbered Acts 2004-
Victorian Repealed Acts
Victorian Current Regulations consolidated
Victorian Numbered Regulations 2004-
Victorian Repealed Regulations
Victorian Historical Legislation
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Victorian Historical Acts - 1851-1995 (AustLII)This database contains Victorian Historical Acts and is based on data supplied by the Office of the Chief Parliamentary Counsel. Browse by year and by Act title.
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Legislation of the Anglican Church in Victoria - 1903-2010 (AustLII)This database contains Legislation of the Anglican Church in Victoria from t he Synods of the following dioceses: Ballarat Diocese, Melbourne Diocese: Consolidated Acts - Consolidated Regulations - Numbered Acts Wangaratta Diocese.
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Victorian Government Gazette 1836-1997 (State Library of Victoria)The first issue of the Victoria Government Gazette was published on 9 July 1851. Before then, material about Victoria was published in the New South Wales Government Gazette, the Port Phillip Government Notices and the Port Phillip Government Gazette. (SLV website)
This website contains:
Victoria Government Gazette (July 1851 - 1997)
Port Phillip Government Gazette (1844 - July 1851)
Port Phillip Government Notices (January - 12 July 1843)
New South Wales Government Gazette (1836 - 1851)
Find Victorian Acts & Subordinate Legislation on a Subject
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Lawlex PremiumAdvanced Search - Search Legislation: Search in Title or Full-text search.
Browse Legislation: Select Jurisdiction, subject Category and Sub-Category.
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Subject Index for Victorian Acts and Statutory Rules (Office of the Chief Parliamentary Counsel)This is a subject index for Acts and Statutory Rules currently in force in Victoria. Updated monthly. PDF format; approximately 200 pages.
GO TO Legislative Information >> Subject Index.
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Halsbury's Laws of AustraliaHalsbury's Laws of Australia is a comprehensive legal encyclopaedia written in a clear, concise form covering all Australian law.
Find Commencement dates, Amendments and Repeals
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Lawlex PremiumCommencement Tables: provide commencement information for Acts and Regulations in all jurisdictions, for specific years.
Act and Regulation homepage: in all jurisdictions, also provides commencement information. Go to Lawlex Premium Research > View the Commencement Information and View the History of Amendments to this Title.
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Acts Currently in Force (Victoria, Office of Chief Parliamentary Counsel)Current principal Acts and section-by-section amendment history listed in alphabetical order of principal Acts. Updated.
GO TO Legislative information > Acts currently in force -
Victorian Acts Commencements Information (Office of the Chief Parliamentary Counsel)Go to Legislative Information > Commencement Information Acts.
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Victorian Statutory Rules Commencements Information (Office of the Chief Parliamentary Counsel)GO TO Legislative Information > Commencement Information Statutory Rules.
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Victorian Government Gazette 1997 - (State Government of Victoria)The Victorian Government Gazette (VGG) provides official notification of decisions or actions taken by, or information from, the Governor of Victoria, Government authorities, Government Departments, local councils, companies and individuals. The VGG notifies of proclamations of Acts, commencement of Acts and of the making and availability of Statutory Rules. From 1997 to current.
SEARCH for Victorian Government Gazette notices (including Proclamations of commencement) under an Act title OR by keywords and dates.
Find Subordinate Legislation enabled under a Principal Act
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Lawlex PremiumSearch or browse for the principal Act > on the Act page click on View Regulations under this Act.
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Victorian Statutory Rules currently in force (Office of the Chief Parliamentary Counsel)Go to Legislative Information > Statutory Rules (SRs) currently in force.
Victorian Annotated Legislation
Annotated legislation titles provide (i) the text of the Act, Regulation or Rule, (ii) a section by section legislative history (ie commencements, amendments, repeals) and (iii) some annotated legisalation titles provide commentary and case references.
Examples of Victorian annotated legislation titles include:
- County Court Act 1958 (Vic): Victorian Courts (Westlaw AU)
- Crimes Act 1958 (Vic): Bourkes Criminal Law Victoria (LexisNexisAU)
- Property Law Act 1958 (Vic): Victorian Conveyancing Legislation (CCH IntelliConnect)
- Sale of Land Act 1962 (Vic): Victorian Conveyancing Legislation (CCH IntelliConnect)
- Supreme Court Act 1986 (Vic): Williams' Civil Procedure Victoria (LexisNexisAU)
- Supreme Court Act 1986 ((Vic): Victorian Courts (Westlaw AU)
The following databases provide annotated legislation:
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CCH IntelliConnectCCH publications include Australian tax, law, accounting, human resources & industrial relations, occupational health & safety, financial planning, business management and superannuation resources.
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Lexis Advance PacificAustralian legal database including law reports, legislation, law journals, commentary and texts. Key titles include Halsbury’s Laws of Australia, Encyclopaedic Australian Legal Dictionary, CaseBase, and the Australian Law Reports (ALRs).
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Westlaw AUAccess to legislation, case law, commentary, journals, news and precedents that are easy to find and apply, providing you with the detail and insight you need to make better decisions.
Find Equivalent Legislation in Other Australian Jurisdictions
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Halsbury's Laws of Australia (LexisNexisAU)Halsbury's Laws of Australia identifies equivalent legislation for the Commonwealth and the States and Territories for each topic with applicable legislation. .SEE: the Footnotes identifying relevant Acts, and sections. NOTE: the currency date for the paragraph.
Keeping up to date with Victorian legislation ....
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Law Institute of Victoria (LIV) - Student MemberJoin the LIV as a student member and subscribe to free law alert services including:
1. eLegal sent fortnightly, covering judgements and legislation updates, as well as the latest news from LIV practice sections and interest groups.
2. Friday Facts: a weekly update of the latest news within the legal sector, member benefits and community news.
NOTE: Student membership to LIV is free but you do need to register online. -
Victorian Legislation Update (Office of the Chief Parliamentary Counsel)Published every Friday, this update is a summary of the past week’s changes for Victorian legislation.
GO TO Legislative Information >> Victorian Legislation Update. -
Lawlex Legislative AlertsACU staff only email alerts on new and changed legislation.
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Legal Express (LexisNexisAU)Free registration to receive updates on cases, legislation and journal articles.
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Tracker News CCH IntelliConnectOn the CCH IntelliConnect homepage look for the “Tracker News” link in the tool bar at the top of the left browse/contents panel. Click on the “Tracker News” link, then > Click 'here' to configure Trackers. Select the Trackers you wish to receive. You will be prompted to enter your email address and name.
Quick Llinks
to Key Victorian Legislation Databases
Victorian Bills, EMs & Statements of Compatibility
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s 35(b) .... consideration may be given to any matter or document that is relevant including but not limited to: (iii) explanatory memoranda or other documents laid before r otherwise presented to any House of the Parliament; |
The databases linked below provide Victorian Bills & Explanatory Memoranda in full text.
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Bills and EMs CURRENT Parliament - (Victorian Legislation and Parliamentary Documents)Bill Status reports, Explanatory Memoranda and Statements of Compatibility. (see Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006 (Vic) s 28).
Coverage: the current Parliament. -
Bills and EMs ARCHIVE - (Victorian Legislation and Parliamentary Documents)ARCHIVE: Bills Status reports are appended to most Bills. Explanatory Memoranda for archived Bills are only available online from 2003 onwards. Statements of Compatibility are available for Bills introduced on or after 1 January 2007. (see Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006 (Vic) s 28).
Coverage: Bills and EMs, where available from 1996 - . -
Parliament of Victoria Bills homepage (Parliament of Victoria)This website provides links to: "Bills this Week", Bills from the current year and their current status, the Bill Status List which details the current status of all Bills considered by the Parliament this year, and the Bills Archive from 1996.
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Victorian Bills 1967 - (AustLII)This database contains copies of Victorian Bills from 1967 onward. Browse by year.
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Victorian Bills Explanatory Memoranda 1967 - (AustLII)This database contains copies of Victorian Bills Explanatory Memoranda from 1967 onwards. Browse by year.
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Lawlex PremiumBills to Principal amd Amending Acts: Go to Lawlex Premium Research > View the Bill. Coverage: Bills selectively from 1995 - .
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Capital Monitor - LexisNexisLexisNexis Capital Monitor provides parliamentary, political, legislative, regulatory and judicial news and information almost as soon as it is available. Coverage includes federal, state and territory Parliaments, government departments, agencies, courts and key stakeholders in public policy, including industry, associations and not-for-profits.
Victorian Parliamentary Debates (Hansard)
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Interpretation of Legislation Act 1984 (Vic) s 35(b) .... consideration may be given to any matter or document that is relevant including but not limited to: (ii) reports of proceedings in any House of the Parliament; |
LawNow (LexisNexisAU) and Lawlex Legislative Alerts & Premium Research also provide access to 2nd Reading Speeches from 1995/1996 - . Find the Act or Bill and click through to the 2nd Reading Speech full text.
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Parliament of Victoria Hansard 1999 -BROWSE the Parliament of Victoria Hansard. Download the daily Hansard documents from both Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council from 1999 -
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Parliament of Victoria Hansard 1991 -SEARCH Parliament of Victoria Hansard, for the Legislative Assembly and the Legislative Council, from 1991 -
SEARCH by date, name and keywords.
Victorian Parliament - Minutes of Proceedings and Votes & Proceedings
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Interpretation of Legislation Act 1984 (Vic) s 35(b) .... consideration may be given to any matter or document that is relevant including but not limited to: (ii) reports of proceedings in any House of the Parliament; |
Minutes of the Proceedings are the official record of proceedings of the Victorian Legislative Council. While Hansard is the official record of what was actually said or debated by the Members, the Minutes are a summary of all the formal actions and decisions of the House.
The Votes and Proceedings are the official record of all that is done in the Legislative Assembly, or in effect the minutes of the Assembly. They should not be confused with Hansard which is the record of what is said in the debates in the Assembly.
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Minutes of Proceedings of the Legislative Council 2010 -Minutes of the Proceedings from 2010 to current.
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Minutes of Proceedings of the Legislative Council - ArchiveParliamentary Documents Archive. Coverage 1996 - 2010.
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Votes & Proceedings of the Legislative Assembly - ArchiveParliamentary Documents Archive. Coverage 1996 - 2010.
Victorian Parliamentary Committees - Reports
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Interpretation of Legislation Act 1984 (Vic) s 35(b) .... consideration may be given to any matter or document that is relevant including but not limited to: (iv) reports of .... Parliamentary Committees ....; |
Introduction: The history, purpose and procedure of Victorian Parliamentary Committees
There are 3 main types of Victorian Parliamentary Committees:
- Joint Investigatory Committees including the Scrutiny of Acts & Regulations Committee (SARC)
- Legislative Assembly Committees
- Legislative Council Committees
Online reports of Victorian Parliamentary Committees:
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Committees homepage (Parliament of Victoria)The Committees homepage provides:
1. Links to the "Latest Reports"
2. Links to Committees. Go to "Inquiries" > "Past Inquiries" of the Committee to access Reports tabled from 1993 - . -
Committee Reports Master Folder (Parliament of Victoria)This website provides a Committee Reports Master Folder which can be sorted by A-Z and date created. Coverage from 2002 - .
Reports of Royal Commissions, Law Reform Commissions, Boards of Inquiry or other similar bodies
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Interpretation of Legislation Act 1984 (Vic) s 35(b) .... consideration may be given to any matter or document that is relevant including but not limited to: (iv) reports of Royal Commissions, .... , Law Reform Commissioners and Commissions, Boards of Inquiry or other similar bodies. |
Use the following databases and websites to find online reports of Royal Commissions, Law Reform Commissions and similar bodies:
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Victorian Parliamentary Papers DatabaseThis database include PDF documents back to 1851. Common parliamentary papers are: parliamentary committee reports, Ombudsman’s reports, Auditor General’s reports and royal commissions.
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Recent Victorian Royal Commission: Royal Commission into Family ViolenceThe Royal Commission into Family Violence report was tabled in Parliament on Wednesday, 30 March 2016. The Report is available on this website.
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Victorian Law Reform Commission - Final Reports (VLRC)For each inquiry, the Commission produces a final report, which is submitted to government and subsequently tabled in the Victorian Parliament. This page lists all reports relating to specific inquiries produced by the Commission. Click on the "Inquiries" tab to view Current Inquiries, other Inquiry documents and submissions. Inquiries are grouped under : The Person, Society, Courts and Processes and Criminal.
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Other Library Catalogues & CollectionsUse other Library Catalogues available on this page, including
* TROVE - the National Library of Australia catalogue - provides links to freely available online publications
* Libraries Australia - a combined library catalogue for all Australian universities, State Libraries, the National Library and other libraries
Treaties and international agreements
The full text of a treaty or international agreement that is referred to in an Act may be appended in a schedule to the Act, if not
- Search the Australian Treaty Series (ATS) database for the full text of treaties or international agreements to which Australia is a party
To find examples of treaties or international agreements referred to in Victorian legislation:
- Search full text Acts or Regulations, using Lawlex Search Legislation or Victorian Legislation Search, for the treaty or international agreement title (eg Biological Diversity Convention (short title))
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Finding the full text of Treaties to which Australia is a party (Public International Law Subject Guide)Typically, each country publishes a "Treaty Series" and provides a database of the treaties to which they are a party. The Australian treaties databases linked below include additional explanatory materials. The treaties to which Australia is a party are also available via the UN Treaties database and other multilateral and bilaterial treaty databases, as appropriate.