Tasmanian Legislative Council
Tasmanian's upper house is unique in Australian politics, in that historically it is the only chamber in any state parliament to be significantly non-partisan.[6] The Council has the power to block supply and force a government to election but cannot itself be dissolved early, because there is nothing in the Tasmanian constitution to allow that.The constitution can only be altered by a vote in each house of parliament, so the Council's rights cannot be reduced, and it cannot be abolished, without its agreement.However, the party has often tacitly backed independent conservatives, many of whom had previously been Liberal candidates or members at state or federal level.Candidates for Legislative Council elections are required by law to restrict their expenditure to a specified limit ($10,000 in 2005; increasing by $500 per year).Other than at elections for the Australian Capital Territory Legislative Assembly, no other jurisdiction imposes expenditure limits on candidates.The Legislative Council consisted of six members chosen by the Lieutenant-Governor, who continued to report to the Governor of New South Wales.On 24 October 1856, an Act was proclaimed permitting the introduction of a bicameral, representative Parliament with the creation of the Tasmanian House of Assembly, where the power of the executive government resided, and the abolition of nominee positions on the Council.Reforms in 1907 saw the House of Assembly switch to using the Hare-Clark system with multi-member seats, and introduced preferential voting to the Council.Others including the Morling Report[7] proposed abolishing the Council and merging some of the electorates into the Tasmanian House of Assembly.This composition is unique in Australia where most Public Accounts Committees are dominated by lower house members.[16] It has the power to look into any issue pertaining to the financials of the State, including government agencies, to ensure that money is going where it is intended.Sessional Committees are always sitting and can examine any issue relating to the Ministry for which they are responsible, or any bill referred to it by the Legislative Council.Select Committees are established to conduct an inquiry on one specific issue and then normally cease to exist once they have tabled their final report.The Estimates committees are established by the Legislative Council Standing Orders as a way to ‘examine and report’ on the proposed expenditure in an appropriation (money) bill.
51st ParliamentUpper houseParliament of TasmaniaPresidentCraig FarrellRuth ForrestLeonie HiscuttLiberalSarah LovellGreensIndependent4 May 20243 May 2025Parliament HouseHobartTasmaniaAustraliaConstitutionMonarchyMonarchCharles IIIGovernorBarbara BakerExecutivePremierJeremy RockliffDeputy PremierGuy BarnettSecond Rockliff MinistryCabinetLegislatureTasmanian ParliamentHouse of AssemblySpeakerMichelle O'ByrneLeaderEric AbetzOppositionDean WinterShadow MinistryJudiciarySupreme Court of TasmaniaChief JusticeChristopher ShanahanList of judgesMagistrates Court of TasmaniaChief MagistrateLocal governmentCouncils in Tasmaniachamberspreferentialstaggerednon-partisanindependentsTasmanian House of AssemblyTasmanianLabor PartyLiberal PartyPeter McKay2009 Pembroke by-electionVanessa GoodwinTasmanian Greens2024 Tasmanian Legislative Council periodic electionAustralian Capital Territory Legislative AssemblyNew South Wales Act 1823British ParliamentVan Diemen's LandNew South WalesBritish CrownPrivy CouncilLieutenant-Governor of Van Diemen's LandGovernor of New South WalesAustralian Colonies Government ActfranchiseColonial OfficeRichard Drybicameralfirst-past-the-postLauncestonby-electionHare-Clarkpreferential votingMargaret McIntyrePhyllis BenjaminTony Rundleland district or countyCassy O'ConnorTasmanian Legislative Council electorateselectoral divisions of the Tasmanian Legislative CouncilDerwentElwickMcIntyreMerseyMontgomeryMurchisonNelsonPembrokeProsserRosevearsRumneyWindermereApsleyWestern TiersMembers of the Tasmanian Legislative Council, 2023–20292024 Tasmanian Legislative Council periodic electionsPresident of the Tasmanian Legislative Councilsubordinate legislationMembers of the Tasmanian Legislative CouncilParliaments of the Australian states and territoriesLeonie Hiscutt, MLC for MontgomeryNick Duigan, MLC for WindermereKerry Vincent, MLC for ProsserJo Palmer, MLC for RosevearsCraig Farrell, MLC for DerwentLuke Edmunds, MLC for PembrokeSarah Lovell, MLC for RumneyRosemary ArmitageMike GaffneyDean HarrissTania RattrayBec ThomasMeg WebbWayback MachineFederalSenateHouse of Rep.