Fundamental legislative principles

Principles of good legislation: OQPC guide to FLPs

The Principles of good legislation: OQPC guide to FLPs is a resource being prepared by OQPC and progressively published as separate chapters. The guide includes information about fundamental legislative principles and the application of those principles in Queensland legislation. The guide is intended to help departmental policy officers and others involved in developing legislation. 

OQPC welcomes feedback on the guide and the published chapters at feedback@oqpc.qld.gov.au.

The following chapters have been published—

Clear meaning
This chapter considers legislation that is unambiguous and drafted in a sufficiently clear and precise way.  The chapter is current as at 14 February 2014.

Criminal history
This chapter considers disclosure of a person’s criminal history.  The chapter is current as at 19 June 2013.

Institutional integrity of courts and judicial independence
This chapter considers legislation that interferes with the institutional integrity of the courts and the independence of the judiciary. The chapter is current as at 30 June 2014.

Retrospectivity
This chapter considers legislation that applies retrospectively.  The chapter is current as at 19 June 2013.

Reversal of onus of proof
This chapter considers the reversal of the onus of proof in criminal proceedings.  The chapter is current as at 19 June 2013.

Self-incrimination
This chapter considers legislative abrogation of the privilege against self-incrimination.  The chapter is current as at 19 June 2013.

The institution of Parliament—subordinate legislation
This chapter considers the content of subordinate legislation and whether it has sufficient regard to the institution of Parliament. The chapter is current as at 27 June 2014.

The OQPC Notebook

Contains information about the operation of fundamental legislative principles in Queensland. 

The OQPC Notebook [PDF 1050k] (Last updated January 2008)