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OPC Drafting Directions Series

Drafting Directions are instructions that are issued by First Parliamentary Counsel. They cover a wide range of topics related to drafting. All drafters are required to comply with the directions. This ensures a consistent approach is taken to amendments.

The Drafting Directions have been reorganised into a subject-based series and you can download individual documents from the following table.

No. Title Date of issue PDF RTF
  Index of Drafting Directions 1 May 2013 Download PDF version
32k
Download RTF version
159k
  Presentation and form of legislation      
1.1 Long and short title of Bills and references to proposed Acts 1 May 2006 Download PDF version
48k
Download RTF version
160k
1.1A Names of instruments and provision units of instruments 4 December 2012 Download PDF version
527k
Download RTF version
520k
1.2 Portfolio for cover page of Bill 1 May 2013 Download PDF version
46k
Download RTF version
127k
1.3 Commencement provisions 16 May 2011 Download PDF version
184k
Download RTF version
612k
1.4 Amending Forms Manual 1 May 2006 Download PDF version
9k
Download RTF version
96k
1.5 Definitions 2 October 2012 Download PDF version
447k
Download RTF version
269k
1.6 Asterisking to identify defined terms 1 May 2006 Download PDF version
49k
Download RTF version
200k
1.7 Numbering and lettering 2 October 2012 Download PDF version
269k
Download RTF version
113k
1.8 Special rules for Tax Code drafting 1 May 2006 Download PDF version
140k
Download RTF version
528k
  Usage (including plain English)
     
2.1 English usage, gender-specific and gender-neutral language, grammar, punctuation and spelling 29 October 2012 Download PDF version
389k
Download RTF version
211k
2.2 Use of various expressions in draft legislation 17 December 2012 Download PDF version
479k
Download RTF version
298k
  Content      
3.1 Constitutional law issues 2 October 2012 Download PDF version
511k
Download RTF version
318k
3.2 Taxation 1 May 2013 Download PDF version
81k
Download RTF version
192k
3.3 Application of legislation in relation to various maritime and external areas 2 October 2012 Download PDF version
304k
Download RTF version
177k
3.4 Conferral and exercise of powers (including by Governor-General) 2 October 2012 Download PDF version
303k
Download RTF version
148k
3.5 Offences, penalties, self-incrimination, secrecy provision and enforcement powers 13 February 2013 Download PDF version
471k
Download RTF version
289k
3.6 Statutory and other bodies 2 October 2012 Download PDF version
777k
Download RTF version
787k
3.7 Tribunals and other administrative bodies--various matters 2 October 2012 Download PDF version
286k
Download RTF version
166k
3.8 Subordinate instruments 1 April 2008 Download PDF version
62k
Download RTF version
247k
3.9 Evidence and proof (including oaths and affirmations) 2 October 2012 Download PDF version
297k
Download RTF version
149k
3.10 Legislation that refers to or affects Australian governments or jurisdictions 2 October 2012 Download PDF version
386k
Download RTF version
191k
3.11 Implementing Commonwealth agreements (including treaties and conventions etc.) 2 October 2012 Download PDF version
292k
Download RTF version
155k
3.12 Provisions that make the Commonwealth liable to make a pament 4 March 2008 Download PDF version
34k
Download RTF version
126k
3.13 References to cases in notes 2 October 2012 Download PDF version
82k
Download RTF version
100k
3.14 References to the Parliament 2 October 2012 Download PDF version
263k
Download RTF version
102k
  Procedural matters      
4.1 Dealings with instructors 2 October 2012 Download PDF version
285k
Download RTF version
127k
4.1A Complexity Flag System 13 May 2013 Download PDF version
84k
Download RTF version
198k
4.2 Referral of drafts to agencies 12 February 2013 Download PDF version
464k
Download RTF version
434k
4.3 Amendments requiring consultation with States and Territories under an intergovernmental agreement 2 October 2012 Download PDF version
415k
Download RTF version
310k
4.4 Statute law revision amendments 27 August 2008 Download PDF version
48k
Download RTF version
865k
4.5 Legal advice on issues arising during drafting 2 October 2012 Download PDF version
372k
Download RTF version
179k
4.6 Legislation Approval Process 2 October 2012 Download PDF version
520k
Download RTF version
372k
4.7 Clerk's and Chairman's amendments 12 October 2010 Download PDF version
35k
Download RTF version
162k
4.8 Parliamentary amendments--various matters 1 May 2013 Download PDF version
51k
Download RTF version
136k
4.9 Sections 53 and 56 of the Constitution--Bills and parliamentary amendments 1 May 2006 Download PDF version
61k
Download RTF version
1016k
4.10 Presentation of Bills for Royal Assent 14 December 2009 Download PDF version
46k
Download RTF version
822k

 

 
 


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