Legislation

An Act is cited by its short title and year in italics, then the jurisdiction in round brackets, then any pinpoint. The year is part of the italic title, not a separate element. Rules 3.1 and 3.5 govern Acts.

The jurisdiction abbreviation names the parliament that passed the Act. Cth for the Commonwealth, then NSW, Vic, Qld, SA, WA, Tas, NT and ACT for the States and Territories.

A bill is not yet law, so its title is not italicised. Everything else mirrors an Act, except pinpoints use clauses rather than sections. Rule 3.2 applies.

Regulations, rules and other instruments made under an Act follow the same italic title form as an Act. The pinpoint abbreviation changes to match the instrument, so regulations pinpoint with reg and rules with r. Rule 3.4 applies. This is also why a planning instrument is cited like an Act rather than like a report.

The Australian Constitution is cited by that italic name alone, with a section pinpoint. It needs no year and no jurisdiction. Rule 3.6 applies. Foreign constitutions follow the foreign jurisdiction chapters instead.

An explanatory memorandum is cited with the label Explanatory Memorandum, then the bill it explains in the bill’s unitalicised form, then a page pinpoint. Rule 3.7 applies. The same pattern covers explanatory statements and notes, with the label changed to match the document. A second reading speech is not an explanatory memorandum. It is Hansard, cited under rule 7.5.1.

Rule 3.9 sweeps up the quasi legislative material that sits around the statute book. Gazette notices follow rule 3.9.1. Orders and rulings of government bodies, like a broadcasting determination or a tax ruling, follow rule 3.9.2. Binding rules made by bodies outside government, like ASX listing rules, follow rule 3.9.3. Court practice notes follow rule 3.9.4.