{"id":"tas:act-2007-035","name":"Charter of Budget Responsibility Act 2007","slug":"charter-of-budget-responsibility-act-2007","collection":"act","jurisdiction":"tas","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":"35 of 2007","makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":71560,"registerId":"tas-act-2007-035-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-02","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Short title","content":"### 1 Short title\n\n> This Act may be cited as the [Charter of Budget Responsibility Act 2007](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-2007-035) .","sortOrder":0},{"sectionNumber":"2","sectionType":"section","heading":"Commencement","content":"### 2 Commencement\n\n> This Act commences on the day on which this Act receives the Royal Assent.","sortOrder":1},{"sectionNumber":"3","sectionType":"section","heading":"The Charter of Budget Responsibility","content":"### 3 The Charter of Budget Responsibility\n\n> > (1)  The Charter of Budget Responsibility is set out in [Schedule 1](#JS1@EN) .\n> \n> > (2)  Nothing in the Charter of Budget Responsibility creates rights or duties that are enforceable in judicial or other proceedings.","sortOrder":2},{"sectionNumber":"4","sectionType":"section","heading":"Administration of Act","content":"### 4 Administration of Act\n\n> Until provision is made in relation to this Act by order under [section 4 of the](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1990-004#GS4@EN) [Administrative Arrangements Act 1990](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1990-004)  –\n> \n> > > (a) the administration of this Act is assigned to the Treasurer; and\n> > \n> > > (b) the department responsible to the Treasurer in relation to the administration of this Act is the Department of Treasury and Finance.","sortOrder":3},{"sectionNumber":"5.","sectionType":"section","heading":null,"content":"### 5.\n\n> See [Schedule 2](#JS2@EN) .","sortOrder":4},{"sectionNumber":"SCHEDULE 1 - Charter of Budget","sectionType":"part","heading":"SCHEDULE 1 - Charter of Budget Responsibility","content":"# SCHEDULE 1 - Charter of Budget SCHEDULE 1 - Charter of Budget Responsibility\n\n[Section 3](#GS3@EN)","sortOrder":5},{"sectionNumber":"Part 1","sectionType":"part","heading":"Purpose of Charter","content":"# Part 1 Purpose of Charter\n\n> **1.   **Purpose of Charter****\n> \n> > The Charter of Budget Responsibility provides a framework to improve fiscal policy outcomes by requiring –\n> > \n> > > > (a) a fiscal strategy statement based on principles of sound fiscal management; and\n> > > \n> > > > (b) regular reports to provide for the assessment of the Government's fiscal performance; and\n> > > \n> > > > (c) the publication of a pre-election financial outlook report; and\n> > > \n> > > > (d) a process for costing the election policies of parties represented in the House of Assembly.","sortOrder":6},{"sectionNumber":"Part 2","sectionType":"part","heading":"Interpretation","content":"# Part 2 Interpretation\n\n> **2.   **Interpretation****\n> \n> > > (1) In this Schedule, unless the contrary intention appears –\n> > > \n> > > > ***budget*** means an annual State budget;\n> > > \n> > > > [*\\[Part 2 of Schedule 1 Amended by No. 4 of 2017, Sched. 1, Applied:01 Jul 2019\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2019-07-01/act-2017-004#JS1@Ja16@GC1@Hpa@EN) ***budget papers*** means the papers tabled in Parliament in connection with the Bill for the annual appropriation of money out of the Public Account for the service of a financial year;\n> > > \n> > > > ***budget year*** means the financial year to which a budget relates;\n> > > \n> > > [*\\[Part 2 of Schedule 1 Amended by No. 34 of 2011, s. 4, Applied:25 Oct 2011\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2011-10-25/act-2011-034#GS4@Hpa@EN) [*\\[Part 2 of Schedule 1 Amended by No. 37 of 2015, s. 4, Applied:13 Oct 2015\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2015-10-13/act-2015-037#GS4@Hpa@EN)\n> > > \n> > > > [*\\[Part 2 of Schedule 1 Amended by No. 34 of 2011, s. 4, Applied:25 Oct 2011\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2011-10-25/act-2011-034#GS4@Hpb@EN) ***day*** means a day other than a non-business day;\n> > > \n> > > > [*\\[Part 2 of Schedule 1 Amended by No. 37 of 2015, s. 4, Applied:13 Oct 2015\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2015-10-13/act-2015-037#GS4@Hpb@EN) ***election costing period*** means, in relation to an election for the House of Assembly, the period commencing on the dissolution, or expiry by effluxion of time, of the House of Assembly and ending at the close of the poll on the polling day for the election;\n> > > \n> > > > ***fiscal strategy statement*** means a statement that complies with [clauses 7](#JS1@HS4@GC7@EN) and [8](#JS1@HS4@GC8@EN) ;\n> > > \n> > > > ***general government sector body*** means –\n> > > > \n> > > > > > (a) a Government department within the meaning of the [State Service Act 2000](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-2000-085) ; and\n> > > > > \n> > > > > > (b) any other State authority classified as an entity within the general government sector in the Treasurer's annual report;\n> > > \n> > > > ***GFS Australia*** means the publication of the Australian Bureau of Statistics known as Government Finance Statistics Australia: Concepts, Sources and Methods, as updated from time to time;\n> > > > \n> > > > | Note. This updating takes 2 forms: |\n> > > > | (a) from time to time, a new version of the publication is produced; and |\n> > > > | (b) from time to time, material in the current version of the publication is updated by other publications of the Australian Bureau of Statistics. |\n> > > \n> > > > ***Government*** means the Government of this State;\n> > > \n> > > > ***Government Business Enterprise*** means a statutory authority specified in [Schedule 1 to the](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1995-022#JS1@EN) [Government Business Enterprises Act 1995](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1995-022) ;\n> > > \n> > > > ***Leader of an Opposition party*** means the Leader of an Opposition party in the House of Assembly;\n> > > \n> > > > [*\\[Part 2 of Schedule 1 Amended by No. 34 of 2011, s. 4, Applied:25 Oct 2011\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2011-10-25/act-2011-034#GS4@Hpc@EN) ***non-business day*** means a Saturday, Sunday, statutory holiday as defined in the [Statutory Holidays Act 2000](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-2000-096) or a public holiday throughout the State;\n> > > \n> > > > [*\\[Part 2 of Schedule 1 Amended by No. 34 of 2011, s. 4, Applied:25 Oct 2011\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2011-10-25/act-2011-034#GS4@Hpc@EN) ***polling day*** means a day, including a non-business day, on which an election for the House of Assembly is held;\n> > > \n> > > > ***principles of sound fiscal management*** means the principles set out in [clause 3](#JS1@HS3@GC3@EN) ;\n> > > \n> > > > ***publicly release*** includes publishing on the website of the Department;\n> > > \n> > > > ***report*** means a pre-election financial outlook report;\n> > > \n> > > > [*\\[Part 2 of Schedule 1 Amended by No. 4 of 2017, Sched. 1, Applied:01 Jul 2019\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2019-07-01/act-2017-004#JS1@Ja16@GC1@Hpb@EN) ***revised estimates report*** means the revised estimates report published by the Treasurer under [section 36 of the](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-2016-042#GS36@EN) [Financial Management Act 2016](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-2016-042) ;\n> > > \n> > > > ***Secretary*** means Secretary of the Department;\n> > > \n> > > > ***State authority*** means a body or authority, whether incorporated or not, that is established or constituted under a written law or under the royal prerogative, being a body or authority which, or of which the governing authority, wholly or partly comprises a person or persons appointed by the Governor, a Minister or another State authority, but does not include a Government department within the meaning of the [State Service Act 2000](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-2000-085) ;\n> > > \n> > > > ***State-owned company*** means a company incorporated under the Corporations Act which is controlled by –\n> > > > \n> > > > > > (a) the Crown; or\n> > > > > \n> > > > > > (b) a State authority; or\n> > > > > \n> > > > > > (c) another company which is itself controlled by the Crown or a State authority;\n> > > \n> > > > ***table*** means table in each House of Parliament;\n> > > \n> > > [*\\[Part 2 of Schedule 1 Amended by No. 24 of 2012, s. 8, Applied:12 Jul 2012\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2012-07-12/act-2012-024#GS8@Hpa@EN) [*\\[Part 2 of Schedule 1 Amended by No. 4 of 2017, Sched. 1, Applied:01 Jul 2019\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2019-07-01/act-2017-004#JS1@Ja16@GC1@Hpc@EN) [*\\[Part 2 of Schedule 1 Amended by No. 24 of 2012, s. 8, Applied:12 Jul 2012\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2012-07-12/act-2012-024#GS8@Hpb@EN) [*\\[Part 2 of Schedule 1 Amended by No. 4 of 2017, Sched. 1, Applied:01 Jul 2019\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2019-07-01/act-2017-004#JS1@Ja16@GC1@Hpc@EN)\n> > > \n> > > > [*\\[Part 2 of Schedule 1 Amended by No. 4 of 2017, Sched. 1, Applied:01 Jul 2019\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2019-07-01/act-2017-004#JS1@Ja16@GC1@Hpc@EN) ***Treasurer's annual report*** means the annual financial report prepared by the Treasurer under [section 40 of the](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-2016-042#GS40@EN) [Financial Management Act 2016](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-2016-042) .\n> > \n> > > (2) Other expressions used in this Act that are given a meaning by GFS Australia have the meanings so given.","sortOrder":7},{"sectionNumber":"Part 3","sectionType":"part","heading":"Principles of sound fiscal management","content":"# Part 3 Principles of sound fiscal management\n\n> **3.   **The principles of sound fiscal management****\n> \n> > [*\\[Part 3 of Schedule 1 Amended by No. 37 of 2015, s. 4, Applied:13 Oct 2015\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2015-10-13/act-2015-037#GS4@Hpc@EN) The principles of sound fiscal management are to –\n> > \n> > > > (a) manage the State's finances responsibly for the wellbeing of all Tasmanians; and\n> > > \n> > > > (b) provide for the future for the next generation of Tasmanians; and\n> > > \n> > > > (c) prepare for unexpected events by building a robust financial position; and\n> > > \n> > > > (d) improve services to Tasmanians by building a strong economy and efficiently allocating public resources to gain the maximum community benefit; and\n> > > \n> > > > (e) formulate spending and taxation policies that ensure a reasonable degree of equity, stability and predictability; and\n> > > \n> > > > (f) ensure transparency and accountability in developing, implementing and reporting on fiscal objectives.","sortOrder":8},{"sectionNumber":"Part 4","sectionType":"part","heading":"Fiscal strategy statement","content":"# Part 4 Fiscal strategy statement\n\n> **4.   **Purpose of fiscal strategy statement****\n> \n> > The purpose of a fiscal strategy statement is to –\n> > \n> > > > (a) establish a benchmark for evaluating the Government's fiscal performance; and\n> > > \n> > > > (b) increase public awareness of the fiscal policies of the Government and Opposition parties.\n\n> **5.   **Public announcement and tabling of Government's fiscal strategy statement****\n> \n> > > (1) The Treasurer is to publicly announce and table the first fiscal strategy statement for a particular Government at or before the time of the Government's first budget.\n> > \n> > > (2) If the Government wants to change its fiscal strategy statement, it may do so at any time by the Treasurer publicly announcing and tabling a new fiscal strategy statement.\n> > \n> > > (3) If a House of Parliament is not sitting when a fiscal strategy statement is publicly announced –\n> > > \n> > > > > (a) the statement still takes effect from its public announcement; and\n> > > > \n> > > > > (b) the Treasurer is to table the statement in that House of Parliament as soon as practicable after it next sits.\n\n> **6.   **Public announcement before election of party's fiscal strategy statement****\n> \n> > [*\\[Part 4 of Schedule 1 Amended by No. 34 of 2011, s. 4, Applied:25 Oct 2011\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2011-10-25/act-2011-034#GS4@Hpd@EN) [*\\[Part 4 of Schedule 1 Amended by No. 37 of 2015, s. 4, Applied:13 Oct 2015\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2015-10-13/act-2015-037#GS4@Hpd@EN)\n> > \n> > > (1) The Premier is to publicly announce a fiscal strategy statement, and provide a copy of the statement to the Secretary, within 15 days of the commencement of the election costing period.\n> > \n> > > (2) The Leader of an Opposition party is to publicly announce a fiscal strategy statement, and provide a copy of the statement to the Secretary, within 15 days of the commencement of the election costing period.\n> > \n> > > (3) A fiscal strategy statement that is publicly announced and provided by the Premier to the Secretary under [subclause (1)](#JS1@HS4@GC6@Gc1@EN) is to be taken to be a fiscal strategy statement publicly announced and tabled under [clause 5(2)](#JS1@HS4@GC5@Gc2@EN) .\n\n> **7.   **Fiscal strategy statement to be based on principles of sound fiscal management****\n> \n> > A fiscal strategy statement is to be based on the principles of sound fiscal management.\n\n> **8.   **Contents of a fiscal strategy statement****\n> \n> > > (1) A fiscal strategy statement is to –\n> > > \n> > > > > (a) specify the long-term objectives within which budgets will be framed; and\n> > > > \n> > > > > (b) specify the key fiscal measures against which fiscal policy will be set and assessed; and\n> > > > \n> > > > > (c) specify the fiscal objectives and targets for the budget year and the following 3 financial years; and\n> > > > \n> > > > > (d) identify how the fiscal objectives and strategic priorities relate to the principles of sound fiscal management.\n> > \n> > > (2) If particular information required to be included in the statement is unchanged from information set out in full in an earlier fiscal strategy statement, the statement may instead summarise the information and state that it is unchanged from what was set out in the earlier statement.","sortOrder":9},{"sectionNumber":"Part 5","sectionType":"part","heading":"Pre-election financial outlook report","content":"# Part 5 Pre-election financial outlook report\n\n> **9.   **Purpose of pre-election financial outlook report****\n> \n> > The purpose of a report is to provide updated information on the estimates disclosed in the budget papers for the current budget year and the following 3 financial years.\n\n> **10.   **Assessment of the need for, and public release of, a report****\n> \n> > > (1) [*\\[Part 5 of Schedule 1 Amended by No. 37 of 2015, s. 4, Applied:13 Oct 2015\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2015-10-13/act-2015-037#GS4@Hpe@EN) [*\\[Part 5 of Schedule 1 Amended by No. 34 of 2011, s. 4, Applied:25 Oct 2011\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2011-10-25/act-2011-034#GS4@Hpe@EN) Within 5 days of the commencement of the election costing period, the Secretary is to review the estimates referred to in [clause 9](#JS1@HS5@GC9@EN) .\n> > \n> > > (2) [*\\[Part 5 of Schedule 1 Amended by No. 4 of 2017, Sched. 1, Applied:01 Jul 2019\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2019-07-01/act-2017-004#JS1@Ja16@GC1@Hpd@EN) If the estimates do not vary materially from the information presented in either the revised estimates report or budget papers, whichever is the more recent, the Secretary must inform the Premier and publicly release a notice that no report will be issued.\n> > \n> > > (3) [*\\[Part 5 of Schedule 1 Amended by No. 4 of 2017, Sched. 1, Applied:01 Jul 2019\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2019-07-01/act-2017-004#JS1@Ja16@GC1@Hpe@EN) [*\\[Part 5 of Schedule 1 Amended by No. 37 of 2015, s. 4, Applied:13 Oct 2015\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2015-10-13/act-2015-037#GS4@Hpf@EN) [*\\[Part 5 of Schedule 1 Amended by No. 34 of 2011, s. 4, Applied:25 Oct 2011\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2011-10-25/act-2011-034#GS4@Hpf@EN) If the estimates do vary materially from the information presented in either the revised estimates report or budget papers, whichever is the more recent, the Secretary must prepare a report within 10 days of the commencement of the election costing period.\n> > \n> > > (4) The Secretary must submit the report to the Premier and publicly release the report.\n> > \n> > > (5) The Secretary is to determine the format of the report.\n\n> **11.   **Treasurer to provide information to help prepare report****\n> \n> > > (1) [*\\[Part 5 of Schedule 1 Amended by No. 37 of 2015, s. 4, Applied:13 Oct 2015\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2015-10-13/act-2015-037#GS4@Hpg@EN) [*\\[Part 5 of Schedule 1 Amended by No. 34 of 2011, s. 4, Applied:25 Oct 2011\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2011-10-25/act-2011-034#GS4@Hpg@EN) The Treasurer is to disclose to the Secretary details of any Government decision, or any other circumstance, that was in existence before the commencement of the election costing period –\n> > > \n> > > > > (a) that has, or could have, material financial implications for the estimates referred to in [clause 9](#JS1@HS5@GC9@EN) ; and\n> > > > \n> > > > > (b) that the Secretary could not reasonably be expected to know about.\n> > \n> > > (2) [*\\[Part 5 of Schedule 1 Amended by No. 37 of 2015, s. 4, Applied:13 Oct 2015\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2015-10-13/act-2015-037#GS4@Hph@EN) [*\\[Part 5 of Schedule 1 Amended by No. 34 of 2011, s. 4, Applied:25 Oct 2011\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2011-10-25/act-2011-034#GS4@Hph@EN) The Treasurer is to disclose the details within 2 days of the commencement of the election costing period.","sortOrder":10},{"sectionNumber":"Part 6","sectionType":"part","heading":"Costing of election policies","content":"# Part 6 Costing of election policies\n\n> **12.   **Requests for costing of election policies****\n> \n> > > (1) [*\\[Part 6 of Schedule 1 Amended by No. 37 of 2015, s. 4, Applied:13 Oct 2015\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2015-10-13/act-2015-037#GS4@Hpi@EN) During the election costing period for an election of the House of Assembly –\n> > > \n> > > > > (a) the Premier may request the Secretary to prepare costings of publicly announced Government policies; and\n> > > > \n> > > > > (b) the Leader of an Opposition party may request the Secretary to prepare costings of the party's publicly announced policies.\n> > \n> > > (2) A request is to –\n> > > \n> > > > > (a) be in writing; and\n> > > > \n> > > > > (b) outline fully the policy to be costed, giving relevant details; and\n> > > > \n> > > > > (c) state the purpose or intention of the policy.\n> > \n> > > (3) The Premier or the Leader of an Opposition party may, at any time, withdraw a request that he or she has made.\n> > \n> > > (4) A withdrawal by the Premier or the Leader of an Opposition party is to be by notice in writing given to the Secretary.\n\n> **13.   **How policy costings are to be prepared****\n> \n> > > (1) The Secretary is to issue written guidelines for preparing costings of publicly announced policies.\n> > \n> > > (2) The Secretary may, in writing, request the Premier or the Leader of the relevant Opposition party for additional information in relation to a costing of a publicly announced policy.\n\n> **14.   **Public release of policy costings****\n> \n> > > (1) As soon as practicable after a request in relation to the costing of a publicly announced policy has been made and before polling day for the election, the Secretary is to give the costing of the policy to the Premier or the Leader of the relevant Opposition party, as the case may require.\n> > \n> > > (2) As soon as practicable after the costing of a publicly announced policy has been given to the Premier or the Leader of the relevant Opposition party, as the case may require, and before polling day for the election, the Secretary is to publicly release a costing of the policy.\n> > \n> > > (3) If the Secretary does not have sufficient information, or has not had sufficient time, to prepare and publicly release a costing of a publicly announced policy before polling day for the election, the Secretary is to publicly release a statement to that effect before that day.\n> > \n> > > (4) The Secretary is not obliged or authorised to take any further action, in relation to a request for the costing of a publicly announced policy, on or after polling day for the election.","sortOrder":11},{"sectionNumber":"Part 6A","sectionType":"part","heading":"Report on Sustainability of State Finances","content":"# Part 6A Report on Sustainability of State Finances\n\n[*\\[Part 6A of Schedule 1 Inserted by No. 37 of 2015, s. 4, Applied:13 Oct 2015\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2015-10-13/act-2015-037#GS4@Hpj@EN)\n\n> **14A.   **Treasurer to table report on sustainability of State finances****\n> \n> > > (1) The Treasurer is to table in both Houses of Parliament a report that relates to the long-term sustainability of the State's finances, with specific regard to –\n> > > \n> > > > > (a) the policies of the Government; and\n> > > > \n> > > > > (b) the financial impact of anticipated changes to the demographics of Tasmania.\n> > \n> > > (2) A report referred to in [subclause (1)](#JS1@HS6A@GC14A@Gc1@EN) is to be in the form, and in respect of the matters, determined by the Secretary.\n> > \n> > > (3) The first report referred to in [subclause (1)](#JS1@HS6A@GC14A@Gc1@EN) is to be tabled in both Houses of Parliament no later than 30 June 2016 and each subsequent report is to be so tabled no later than 30 June of each year that is 5 years after the date of the previous report.","sortOrder":12},{"sectionNumber":"Part 7","sectionType":"part","heading":"Miscellaneous","content":"# Part 7 Miscellaneous\n\n> **15.   **General government sector bodies to provide information to help prepare report and policy costings****\n> \n> > > (1) To help the Secretary to prepare a report or a costing in response to a request referred to in [clause 12](#JS1@HS6@GC12@EN) , the Secretary may request a general government sector body to provide information.\n> > \n> > > (2) A general government sector body must comply with a request from the Secretary within the time specified by the Secretary unless it is not practicable for the body to do so.\n> > \n> > > (3) If it is not practicable for a general government sector body to provide information within the specified time, the head of that body must inform the Secretary in writing within 2 days of receiving the request from the Secretary.\n> > \n> > > (4) The general government sector body need not provide information if doing so would contravene another law, but must inform the Secretary in writing in such a case.\n\n> **16.   **Reporting progress against the fiscal strategy statement****\n> \n> > [*\\[Part 7 of Schedule 1 Amended by No. 4 of 2017, Sched. 1, Applied:01 Jul 2019\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2019-07-01/act-2017-004#JS1@Ja16@GC1@Hpf@EN) The Treasurer is to provide information within the budget, the revised estimates report and the Treasurer's annual report to allow assessment of the Government's fiscal performance against the fiscal strategy set out in its current fiscal strategy statement.\n\n> **17.   **Timing of first fiscal strategy statement****\n> \n> > The Treasurer must submit a fiscal strategy statement in accordance with this Act prior to, or on the day of the first budget after, this Act commences.","sortOrder":13},{"sectionNumber":"SCHEDULE 2 - Consequential Ame","sectionType":"part","heading":"SCHEDULE 2 - Consequential Amendments","content":"# SCHEDULE 2 - Consequential Ame SCHEDULE 2 - Consequential Amendments\n\n[Section 5](#GS5@EN) [Financial Management and Audit Act 1990](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1990-028)","sortOrder":14}],"analysis":{"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"A positive credit balance is required for all requests, including BYOK, so fallback providers remain available. Add credits at https://vercel.com/d?to=%2F%5Bteam%5D%2F%7E%2Fai%3Fmodal%3Dtop-up to continue.","source":"analysis-cron"},"issue_detection":{"absurdities":[],"contradictions":[]},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The instrument's scope has been expanded over time by amendments recorded in the text. Notably, Part 6A (clause 14A) requiring a tabled report on long‑term sustainability was inserted (see annotation: Inserted by No. 37 of 2015, applied 13 Oct 2015). Other annotations show amendments to definitions, election‑period procedures and reporting (annotations referring to 2011, 2012, 2015, 2017), which broadened reporting duties, tightened election‑period timelines and updated definitional links to external standards (see Part 2 notes and cl.10, cl.14A)."},"complexity_factors":["Multiple tightly timed obligations during the election costing period (e.g. Premier/Leader must announce fiscal statements within 15 days: cl.6), which create operational pressure for rapid review and publication (cl.10).","Detailed definitional regime that governs scope (budget, budget papers, general government sector body, election costing period, principles) and links to external standards (GFS Australia), increasing interpretive tasks (Part 2).","Separation of roles and delegated discretion: Treasurer makes public announcements and discloses decisions (cls 5, 11) while the Secretary determines report format, issues costing guidelines, requests further information and decides publication timing (cls 11, 13, 14).","Mandatory information‑sharing duties on general government sector bodies, with limited defences (must comply unless impracticable or prohibited by other law; timeframe and notice requirements: cl.15).","Non‑justiciability clause: Charter does not create enforceable rights or duties in proceedings (s.3(2)), affecting remedies and compliance incentives.","Recurring and staggered reporting cadence: fiscal strategy at first budget and thereafter as changed (cl.5); sustainability report first by 30 June 2016 and then at 5‑year intervals (cl.14A), requiring long‑term planning and recordkeeping.","Public‑release and transparency requirements for policy costings and pre‑election reports, with specific publication duties and contingency statements if costings cannot be completed before polling day (cls 10, 14).","Interplay with other legislation and consequential amendments (Schedule 2 and cross‑references to the Financial Management Act 2016 and Government Business Enterprises Act 1995) increases compliance mapping across statutes."],"plain_english_summary":"This Act requires the Treasurer and Secretary to set out and publish a fiscal strategy, produce a pre‑election financial outlook and provide independent costings of publicly announced party policies during election periods, and to table periodic long‑term sustainability reports. It binds government departments to supply information on request. It affects the Treasurer, Secretary, government agencies, party leaders and the public by creating timelines, public‑release duties and information‑sharing obligations (see cls 5–6, 10–16, 14A). It matters because it structures transparency, imposes compliance costs and shapes incentives around fiscal signalling."},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The original Act established fiscal strategy statements, pre-election financial outlook reports, and election policy costing. However, Part 6A (Report on Sustainability of State Finances) was inserted by amendment in 2015, adding a new five-yearly reporting requirement on long-term fiscal sustainability and demographic impacts. This expanded the Act beyond its original focus on annual budget cycles and election-period transparency into long-term intergenerational fiscal planning."},"complexity_factors":["18 defined terms in the interpretation section (Schedule 1, Part 2)","Multiple cross-references to other Tasmanian legislation including the Financial Management Act 2016, State Service Act 2000, Government Business Enterprises Act 1995, and Statutory Holidays Act 2000","External document incorporation — GFS Australia (Government Finance Statistics) definitions are imported by reference","Conditional timing requirements with nested exceptions (e.g., clause 10's material variation test determining whether a pre-election report is required)","Amendment history annotations embedded throughout the text indicating changes by No. 34 of 2011, No. 37 of 2015, and No. 4 of 2017","Part 6A inserted by later amendment, showing evolutionary expansion of the Act","Dual administration provisions — section 4 contains transitional administrative arrangements pending formal order under the Administrative Arrangements Act 1990"],"plain_english_summary":"This is the **Charter of Budget Responsibility Act 2007** — a Tasmanian law that sets the rules for how the State Government manages its money and tells the public about its financial plans.\n\n**What it does:**\n\n- **Sets principles for good financial management** — things like managing money responsibly, planning for future generations, preparing for unexpected events, and being transparent about spending.\n\n- **Requires a fiscal strategy statement** — This is a public document where the Government explains its long-term budget goals, targets for the next four years, and how it will measure success. The Treasurer must release this with the first budget and can update it anytime. Opposition parties must also release their fiscal strategies during election periods.\n\n- **Creates pre-election financial outlook reports** — Before an election, the Secretary of the Department reviews whether budget estimates have changed significantly. If they have, a public report must be released within 10 days of the election being called.\n\n- **Provides independent costing of election policies** — During election campaigns, the Premier and Opposition leaders can ask the Secretary to independently cost (calculate the price of) their announced policies. These costings are made public before polling day.\n\n- **Requires long-term sustainability reports** — Every five years, the Treasurer must table a report on the long-term health of State finances, including how demographic changes (like an aging population) will affect the budget.\n\n**Who it affects:**\n\n- **The Treasurer** — must release fiscal strategies and sustainability reports.\n- **The Secretary of the Department** — prepares independent costings and pre-election reports.\n- **Political parties** — must release fiscal strategies and can request policy costings during elections.\n- **General government bodies** — must provide information when requested to help with reports and costings.\n- **The public** — gets more transparency about government finances and election promises.\n\n**Why it matters:**\n\nThis law aims to stop governments from hiding financial problems, making reckless spending promises during elections, or failing to plan for the future. It forces politicians to put their fiscal cards on the table — both in government and in opposition — and provides independent, public scrutiny of their budget plans."},"summary":{"complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"Based on the available text, there is no evidence of scope change from the Act's original intent. The law appears to have remained focused on its core purpose of fiscal transparency and budget accountability since enactment in 2007, with the current version dating from 1 July 2019 suggesting amendments have been modest and likely technical in nature."},"complexity_factors":["The legislation text provided is almost entirely metadata and status information — the substantive operative clauses are not included, limiting full analysis","Fiscal responsibility/charter-style laws can involve technical accounting and economic concepts that require explanation","Interplay with other budget and financial management legislation may add complexity in practice","Relatively narrow scope (state-level fiscal reporting obligations) keeps overall complexity low"],"plain_english_summary":"This Tasmanian Act requires the government to be more transparent and accountable about managing public money by publicly setting and reporting on its fiscal strategy, financial goals, and budget risks. It affects Tasmanian taxpayers (who gain clearer information), the Treasurer and government (who must publish and justify budget decisions), and public servants who implement the budget.\n\nNote: the source is mostly metadata, so this summary may not capture every specific legal obligation."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/charter-of-budget-responsibility-act-2007","history":"/api/acts/charter-of-budget-responsibility-act-2007/history","analysis":"/api/acts/charter-of-budget-responsibility-act-2007/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/charter-of-budget-responsibility-act-2007/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/charter-of-budget-responsibility-act-2007/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/charter-of-budget-responsibility-act-2007/documents"}}