{"id":"tas:act-1996-022","name":"Parliamentary (Disclosure of Interests) Act 1996","slug":"parliamentary-disclosure-of-interests-act-1996","collection":"act","jurisdiction":"tas","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":"22 of 1996","makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":106053,"registerId":"tas-act-1996-022-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-03","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"Part 1","sectionType":"part","heading":"Preliminary","content":"# Part 1 Preliminary","sortOrder":0},{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Short title","content":"### 1 Short title\n\n> This Act may be cited as the [Parliamentary (Disclosure of Interests) Act 1996](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1996-022) .","sortOrder":1},{"sectionNumber":"2","sectionType":"section","heading":"Commencement","content":"### 2 Commencement\n\n> This Act commences on the day after the day on which it receives the Royal Assent.","sortOrder":2},{"sectionNumber":"3","sectionType":"section","heading":"Interpretation","content":"### 3 Interpretation\n\n> In this Act –[*\\[Section 3 Amended by No. 41 of 2017, s. 4, Applied:01 Dec 2017\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2017-12-01/act-2017-041#GS4@Hpa@EN)\n> \n> > [*\\[Section 3 Amended by No. 41 of 2017, s. 4, Applied:01 Dec 2017\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2017-12-01/act-2017-041#GS4@Hpa@EN) ***address*** means –\n> > \n> > > > (a) in relation to a natural person or a property, the suburb or locality in which the person resides or the property is located; and\n> > > \n> > > > (b) in relation to a corporation, means the address of the registered office of the corporation or the address of the principal office of the corporation in the place in which it is incorporated;\n> \n> > [*\\[Section 3 Amended by No. 41 of 2017, s. 4, Applied:01 Dec 2017\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2017-12-01/act-2017-041#GS4@Hpa@EN) ***annual return*** means a return referred to in [section 5](#GS5@EN) ;\n> \n> > [*\\[Section 3 Amended by No. 41 of 2017, s. 4, Applied:01 Dec 2017\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2017-12-01/act-2017-041#GS4@Hpa@EN) ***annual return period***, in relation to an annual return lodged by a Member in any year, means –\n> > \n> > > > (a) if the last return lodged by the Member was an annual return, the period of 12 months ending on 30 June in that year; or\n> > > \n> > > > (b) if the last return lodged by the Member was a primary return, the period commencing on the first day after the primary return date in relation to the Member and ending on 30 June in that year;\n> \n> > ***approved form*** means a form approved by the Premier;\n> \n> > ***Clerk*** means –\n> > \n> > > > (a) in relation to a Member of the Legislative Council, the Clerk of the Legislative Council; or\n> > > \n> > > > (b) in relation to a Member of the House of Assembly, the Clerk of the House of Assembly;\n> \n> > ***commencement day*** means the day on which this Act commences;\n> \n> > ***debt*** means a debt arising from –\n> > \n> > > > (a) a loan of money; or\n> > > \n> > > > (b) the supply of goods or services;\n> \n> > ***disposition of property*** means any of the following:\n> > \n> > > > (a) any conveyance, transfer, assignment, settlement, delivery, payment or other alienation of real property or money;\n> > > \n> > > > (b) the creation of a trust in respect of real property or money;\n> > > \n> > > > (c) the grant or creation of any lease, mortgage, charge, easement, licence, power, partnership or interest in respect of real property or money;\n> > > \n> > > > (d) the release, discharge, surrender, forfeiture or abandonment, at law or in equity, of any interest in any real property or money;\n> > > \n> > > > (e) the exercise of a general power of appointment over real property in favour of a person;\n> > > \n> > > > (f) any transaction entered into by a person with the intent to –\n> > > > \n> > > > > > (i) diminish, directly or indirectly, the value of any real property of that person; and\n> > > > > \n> > > > > > (ii) increase the value of any real property of another person who is not a relative;\n> \n> > ***donor*** means a person who makes a gift;\n> \n> > ***general election*** means –\n> > \n> > > > (a) in relation to a Member of the Legislative Council, a periodic election of Members of the Legislative Council; or\n> > > \n> > > > (b) in relation to a Member of the House of Assembly, a general election of Members of the House of Assembly;\n> \n> [*\\[Section 3 Amended by No. 41 of 2017, s. 4, Applied:01 Dec 2017\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2017-12-01/act-2017-041#GS4@Hpb@EN)\n> \n> > [*\\[Section 3 Amended by No. 41 of 2017, s. 4, Applied:01 Dec 2017\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2017-12-01/act-2017-041#GS4@Hpb@EN) ***gift*** means a disposition of real or personal property, or the conferral of a financial or other benefit, other than any financial or other contribution to travel, that is –\n> > \n> > > > (a) free of charge; or\n> > > \n> > > > (b) for a substantially discounted value;\n> \n> > ***House of Parliament*** means –\n> > \n> > > > (a) the Legislative Council; or\n> > > \n> > > > (b) the House of Assembly;\n> \n> > [*\\[Section 3 Amended by No. 41 of 2017, s. 4, Applied:01 Dec 2017\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2017-12-01/act-2017-041#GS4@Hpc@EN) ***income*** means assessable income within the meaning of the [Income Tax Assessment Act 1936](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-9999-999) of the Commonwealth, whether or not derived in Tasmania;\n> \n> > ***interest*** means –\n> > \n> > > > (a) in relation to any property, any estate, interest, right or power, at law or in equity, in or over the property, whether or not it is situated in Tasmania; or\n> > > \n> > > > (b) [*\\[Section 3 Amended by No. 42 of 2001, Sched. 1, Applied:15 Jul 2001\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2001-07-15/act-2001-042#JS1@Ja48@GC1@EN) in relation to any corporation, any relevant interest within the meaning of the Corporations Act in any securities issued or made available by the corporation, whether or not it is taken to be registered in Tasmania under the Corporations Act;\n> \n> > ***Member*** means –\n> > \n> > > > (a) a Member of the Legislative Council; or\n> > > \n> > > > (b) a Member of the House of Assembly;\n> \n> > ***occupation*** includes trade, profession and vocation;\n> \n> [*\\[Section 3 Amended by No. 41 of 2017, s. 4, Applied:01 Dec 2017\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2017-12-01/act-2017-041#GS4@Hpd@EN)\n> \n> > ***political party*** means a body or organisation, whether incorporated or unincorporated, having as one of its objects or activities the promotion of the election to the Parliament of Tasmania of any candidate endorsed by it;\n> \n> > ***primary return*** means a return referred to in [section 4](#GS4@EN) ;\n> \n> > ***primary return date*** means –\n> > \n> > > > (a) in relation to a person who is a Member on the commencement day, that day; or\n> > > \n> > > > (b) [*\\[Section 3 Amended by No. 8 of 2015, s. 13, Applied:15 May 2015\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2015-05-15/act-2015-008#GS13@EN) in relation to a person who becomes a Member after that day, other than a re-elected Member, the day on which the person takes the oath of allegiance as required under an Act to be taken in relation to the office of Member;\n> \n> > ***professional or business association*** means a body or organisation, whether incorporated or unincorporated, having as one of its objects or activities the promotion of the economic interests of its members in any occupation;\n> \n> > ***public company*** means a company whose shares are listed for quotation on the stock market of a stock exchange in Tasmania;\n> \n> > ***re-elected Member*** means a person who –\n> > \n> > > > (a) ceased to be a Member of a House of Parliament by reason of the termination, either by dissolution or expiry, of that House immediately preceding a general election; and\n> > > \n> > > > (b) is re-elected as a Member of that House at that general election;\n> \n> > ***register*** means –\n> > \n> > > > (a) in relation to the Legislative Council, the Register of Interests of Members of the Legislative Council referred to in [section 15](#GS15@EN) ; or\n> > > \n> > > > (b) in relation to the House of Assembly, the Register of Interests of Members of the House of Assembly referred to in [section 16](#GS16@EN) ;\n> \n> > ***relative*** means any of the following:\n> > \n> > > > (a) [*\\[Section 3 Amended by No. 31 of 2012, s. 16, Applied:01 May 2013\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2013-05-01/act-2012-031#GS16@Hpa@EN) the parent, grandparent, brother, sister, uncle, aunt, nephew, niece, lineal descendant, surrogate child or adopted child of a Member or of a Member's spouse; or\n> > > \n> > > > (b) the spouse of a Member or of any other person specified in [paragraph (a)](#GS3@Nd24@Hpa@EN) ;\n> \n> > ***return*** means –\n> > \n> > > > (a) a primary return; or\n> > > \n> > > > (b) [*\\[Section 3 Amended by No. 41 of 2017, s. 4, Applied:01 Dec 2017\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2017-12-01/act-2017-041#GS4@Hpe@EN) an annual return;\n> \n> > [*\\[Section 3 Amended by No. 42 of 2001, Sched. 1, Applied:15 Jul 2001\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2001-07-15/act-2001-042#JS1@Ja48@GC1@Hpc@EN) ***securities*** has the meaning ascribed to that expression in the Corporations Act;\n> \n> > [*\\[Section 3 Amended by No. 45 of 2003, Sched. 1, Applied:01 Jan 2004\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2004-01-01/act-2003-045#JS1@Ja46@GC1@EN) ***spouse***, in relation to a person, includes the person who is in a significant relationship, within the meaning of the [Relationships Act 2003](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-2003-044) , with that person;\n> \n> > [*\\[Section 3 Amended by No. 31 of 2012, s. 16, Applied:01 May 2013\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2013-05-01/act-2012-031#GS16@Hpb@EN) ***surrogate child***, in relation to another person, means a person –\n> > \n> > > > (a) who is a child of the other person by virtue of the operation of [section 26(1)](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-2012-034#GS26@EN) of the [Surrogacy Act 2012](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-2012-034) , or a law, of another State or a Territory or a foreign country, that corresponds to that Act; and\n> > > \n> > > > (b) who has not ceased to be a child of the other person under that Act or law;\n> \n> > ***travel*** includes accommodation incidental to a journey.","sortOrder":3},{"sectionNumber":"Part 2","sectionType":"part","heading":"Returns","content":"# Part 2 Returns","sortOrder":4},{"sectionNumber":"4","sectionType":"section","heading":"Primary returns","content":"### 4 Primary returns\n\n> > (1)  [*\\[Section 4 Subsection (1) omitted by No. 41 of 2017, s. 5, Applied:01 Dec 2017\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2017-12-01/act-2017-041#GS5@Hpa@EN) .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  \n> \n> > (2)  [*\\[Section 4 Subsection (2) amended by No. 41 of 2017, s. 5, Applied:01 Dec 2017\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2017-12-01/act-2017-041#GS5@Hpb@EN) [*\\[Section 4 Subsection (2) amended by No. 8 of 2015, s. 14, Applied:15 May 2015\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2015-05-15/act-2015-008#GS14@EN) A person who becomes a Member, other than a re-elected Member, must lodge a primary return with the Clerk within 3 months after the day on which the Member takes the oath of allegiance as required under an Act to be taken in relation to the office of Member.\n> \n> > (3)  A primary return –\n> > \n> > > > (a) is to be in an approved form; and\n> > > \n> > > > (b) must contain the information specified in [section 6](#GS6@EN) .","sortOrder":5},{"sectionNumber":"5","sectionType":"section","heading":"Annual returns","content":"### 5 Annual returns\n\n> > (1)  [*\\[Section 5 Subsection (1) amended by No. 41 of 2017, s. 6, Applied:01 Dec 2017\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2017-12-01/act-2017-041#GS6@Hpb@EN) [*\\[Section 5 Subsection (1) amended by No. 41 of 2017, s. 6, Applied:01 Dec 2017\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2017-12-01/act-2017-041#GS6@Hpa@EN) A Member must lodge with the Clerk an annual return on or before 1 October in any year unless the primary return date for the Member is after 30 April in that year.\n> \n> > (2)  [*\\[Section 5 Subsection (2) amended by No. 41 of 2017, s. 6, Applied:01 Dec 2017\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2017-12-01/act-2017-041#GS6@Hpc@EN) An annual return–\n> > \n> > > > (a) is to be in an approved form; and\n> > > \n> > > > (b) must contain the information specified in [section 7](#GS7@EN) .","sortOrder":6},{"sectionNumber":"Part 3","sectionType":"part","heading":"Interests to be Disclosed","content":"# Part 3 Interests to be Disclosed","sortOrder":7},{"sectionNumber":"Division 1","sectionType":"division","heading":"Disclosures","content":"## Division 1 Disclosures","sortOrder":8},{"sectionNumber":"6","sectionType":"section","heading":"Disclosure in primary returns","content":"### 6 Disclosure in primary returns\n\n> [*\\[Section 6 Substituted by No. 41 of 2017, s. 7, Applied:01 Dec 2017\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2017-12-01/act-2017-041#GS7@EN) Subject to [Division 2](#HP3@HD2@EN) , a Member must disclose in a primary return the following:\n> \n> > > (a) in respect of each source of income that the Member or a spouse of the Member has received or reasonably expects to receive during the period starting on the first day after the primary return date and ending on the next following 30 June –\n> > > \n> > > > > (i) the person or other entity from which the income was received or is to be received; and\n> > > > \n> > > > > (ii) why the income was received or is to be received;\n> > \n> > > (b) the legal nature of any interest that the Member or a spouse of the Member holds in real property on the primary return date and the address of that property;\n> > \n> > > (c) the nature of any interest, or description of any position, whether remunerated or not, that the Member or a spouse of the Member holds in any corporation on the primary return date and the name and address of that corporation;\n> > \n> > > (d) a description of any position that the Member or a spouse of the Member holds in any trade union or professional or business association, whether remunerated or not, on the primary return date and the name of that trade union or association;\n> > \n> > > (e) the name and address of any person or other entity to whom the Member or the spouse of the Member is liable to pay any debt as at the primary return date, whether or not the debt was due and payable on that date.","sortOrder":9},{"sectionNumber":"7","sectionType":"section","heading":"Disclosure in annual returns","content":"### 7 Disclosure in annual returns\n\n> [*\\[Section 7 Substituted by No. 41 of 2017, s. 7, Applied:01 Dec 2017\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2017-12-01/act-2017-041#GS7@EN) Subject to [Division 2](#HP3@HD2@EN) , a Member must disclose in an annual return the following:\n> \n> > > (a) in respect of each source of income that the Member or a spouse of the Member received during the annual return period –\n> > > \n> > > > > (i) the person or other entity from which the income was received; and\n> > > > \n> > > > > (ii) why the income was received;\n> > \n> > > (b) the legal nature of any interest that the Member or a spouse of the Member held in real property during the annual return period and the address of that property;\n> > \n> > > (c) the nature of any interest, or description of any position, whether remunerated or not, that the Member or a spouse of the Member holds in any corporation during the annual return period and the name and address of that corporation;\n> > \n> > > (d) a description of any position that the Member or a spouse of the Member holds in any trade union or professional or business association, whether remunerated or not, during the annual return period and the name of that trade union or association;\n> > \n> > > (e) the name and address of any person or other entity to whom the Member or a spouse of the Member is liable to pay any debt during the annual return period, whether or not the debt is due and payable during that period;\n> > \n> > > (f) particulars of any disposition of property made by the Member or a spouse of the Member during the annual return period whereby, either wholly or in part, the Member or a spouse of the Member retained the use or benefit of the property or the right to acquire the property at a later date;\n> > \n> > > (g) particulars of any disposition of property made by a person during the annual return period to another person under an arrangement made by the Member or a spouse of the Member whereby, either wholly or in part, the Member or a spouse of the Member obtained the use or benefit of the property;\n> > \n> > > (h) the name and address of any person or other entity who made any financial or other contribution (including free or upgraded accommodation, transport or hospitality) to any travel undertaken by the Member or a spouse of the Member during the annual return period;\n> > \n> > > (i) details of the contribution referred to in [paragraph (h)](#GS7@Hph@EN) and the dates on which, and places to and from which, the relevant travel was undertaken;\n> > \n> > > (j) a description of any gift received by the Member or a spouse of the Member during the annual return period and the name and address of the donor of the gift.","sortOrder":10},{"sectionNumber":"8.","sectionType":"section","heading":null,"content":"### 8.\n\n[*\\[Section 8 Repealed by No. 41 of 2017, s. 7, Applied:01 Dec 2017\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2017-12-01/act-2017-041#GS7@EN)","sortOrder":11},{"sectionNumber":"9","sectionType":"section","heading":"Discretionary disclosure","content":"### 9 Discretionary disclosure\n\n> A Member may disclose in any return any direct or indirect benefits, advantages or liabilities, whether pecuniary or not, that –\n> \n> > > (a) are not required to be disclosed under this Act; or\n> > \n> > > (b) the Member considers may raise a conflict between the Member's private interests and his or her duties as a Member.","sortOrder":12},{"sectionNumber":"Division 2","sectionType":"division","heading":"Exceptions to disclosure","content":"## Division 2 Exceptions to disclosure","sortOrder":13},{"sectionNumber":"9A","sectionType":"section","heading":"Income","content":"### 9A Income\n\n> [*\\[Section 9A Inserted by No. 41 of 2017, s. 8, Applied:01 Dec 2017\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2017-12-01/act-2017-041#GS8@EN) A Member is not required to disclose any income received by the Member or a spouse of the Member if it –\n> \n> > > (a) is received as remuneration under the [Parliamentary Salaries, Superannuation and Allowances Act 2012](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-2012-018) ; or\n> > \n> > > (b) does not exceed $500 from a single source within the return period.","sortOrder":14},{"sectionNumber":"10","sectionType":"section","heading":"Real property","content":"### 10 Real property\n\n> [*\\[Section 10 Amended by No. 41 of 2017, s. 9, Applied:01 Dec 2017\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2017-12-01/act-2017-041#GS9@Hpa@EN) A Member is not required to disclose any interest in property if the Member or a spouse of the Member holds the interest only–\n> \n> > > (a) [*\\[Section 10 Amended by No. 41 of 2017, s. 9, Applied:01 Dec 2017\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2017-12-01/act-2017-041#GS9@Hpb@EN) in the capacity as the executor or administrator of the estate of a deceased person and the Member or a spouse of the Member is not a beneficiary under the will or intestacy; or\n> > \n> > > (b) [*\\[Section 10 Amended by No. 41 of 2017, s. 9, Applied:01 Dec 2017\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2017-12-01/act-2017-041#GS9@Hpc@EN) in the capacity as a trustee and the interest was acquired in the ordinary course of any occupation of the Member that is not related to his or her duties as a Member, or in the ordinary course of any occupation of a spouse of the Member.","sortOrder":15},{"sectionNumber":"11","sectionType":"section","heading":"Corporation","content":"### 11 Corporation\n\n> [*\\[Section 11 Amended by No. 41 of 2017, s. 10, Applied:01 Dec 2017\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2017-12-01/act-2017-041#GS10@EN) A Member is not required to disclose any interest or position held by the Member or a spouse of the Member in a corporation if the corporation–\n> \n> > > (a) is formed–\n> > > \n> > > > > (i) to provide recreation or amusement; or\n> > > > \n> > > > > (ii) to promote commerce, industry, art, science, religion or charity; or\n> > > > \n> > > > > (iii) for any other community purpose; and\n> > \n> > > (b) is required to apply any of its profits or other income in promoting its objects; and\n> > \n> > > (c) is prohibited from paying any dividend to its members.","sortOrder":16},{"sectionNumber":"12","sectionType":"section","heading":"Debt","content":"### 12 Debt\n\n> [*\\[Section 12 Amended by No. 41 of 2017, s. 11, Applied:01 Dec 2017\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2017-12-01/act-2017-041#GS11@Hpa@EN) A Member is not required to disclose a liability or information relating to a liability to pay a debt owed by the Member or a spouse of the Member if–\n> \n> > > (a) the amount of the debt did not exceed $500 unless–\n> > > \n> > > > > (i) [*\\[Section 12 Amended by No. 41 of 2017, s. 11, Applied:01 Dec 2017\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2017-12-01/act-2017-041#GS11@EN) the debt was one of 2 or more debts that the Member or a spouse of the Member is liable to pay to one person as at the primary return date or during the annual return period; and\n> > > > \n> > > > > (ii) the amounts to be paid exceeded, in the aggregate, $500; or\n> > \n> > > (b) [*\\[Section 12 Amended by No. 41 of 2017, s. 11, Applied:01 Dec 2017\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2017-12-01/act-2017-041#GS11@Hpd@EN) the debt is payable to a relative of the Member; or\n> > \n> > > (c) the debt arises from a loan of money and–\n> > > \n> > > > > (i) [*\\[Section 12 Amended by No. 74 of 1999, Sched. 2, Applied:01 Jan 2000\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2000-01-01/act-1999-074#JS2@Ja39@GC1@EN) [*\\[Section 12 Amended by No. 41 of 2017, s. 11, Applied:01 Dec 2017\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2017-12-01/act-2017-041#GS11@Hpe@EN) the Member or a spouse of the Member is liable to pay the debt to an authorised deposit-taking institution or other person whose ordinary business includes the lending of money; and\n> > > > \n> > > > > (ii) the loan was made in the ordinary course of business of the lender; or\n> > \n> > > (d) the debt arises from the supply of goods or services that were supplied–\n> > > \n> > > > > (i) [*\\[Section 12 Amended by No. 41 of 2017, s. 11, Applied:01 Dec 2017\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2017-12-01/act-2017-041#GS11@Hpf@EN) during the period of 12 months immediately preceding the primary return date or during the annual return period; and\n> > > > \n> > > > > (ii) [*\\[Section 12 Amended by No. 41 of 2017, s. 11, Applied:01 Dec 2017\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2017-12-01/act-2017-041#GS11@Hpg@EN) in the ordinary course of any occupation of the Member that is not related to his or her duties as a Member or in the ordinary course of any occupation of a spouse of the Member.","sortOrder":17},{"sectionNumber":"13","sectionType":"section","heading":"Contribution to travel","content":"### 13 Contribution to travel\n\n> > (1)  [*\\[Section 13 Subsection (1) amended by No. 41 of 2017, s. 12, Applied:01 Dec 2017\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2017-12-01/act-2017-041#GS12@Hpa@EN) A Member is not required to disclose a financial or other contribution to any travel of the Member or a spouse of the Member if–\n> > \n> > > > (a) the contribution–\n> > > > \n> > > > > > (i) was made from public funds; or\n> > > > > \n> > > > > > (ii) arose from travel on free passes issued under any Act; or\n> > > > > \n> > > > > > (iii) arose from travel in government vehicles; or\n> > > \n> > > > (b) the contribution was made by a relative of the Member; or\n> > > \n> > > > (c) [*\\[Section 13 Subsection (1) amended by No. 41 of 2017, s. 12, Applied:01 Dec 2017\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2017-12-01/act-2017-041#GS12@Hpb@EN) the contribution was made in the ordinary course of any occupation of the Member which is not related to his or her duties as a Member or in the ordinary course of any occupation of a spouse of the Member; or\n> > > \n> > > > (d) the amount of the contribution did not exceed $250 unless–\n> > > > \n> > > > > > (i) [*\\[Section 13 Subsection (1) amended by No. 41 of 2017, s. 12, Applied:01 Dec 2017\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2017-12-01/act-2017-041#GS12@Hpc@EN) the contribution was one of 2 or more contributions made by one person during the annual return period; and\n> > > > > \n> > > > > > (ii) the amount of those 2 or more contributions exceeded, in the aggregate, $250; or\n> > > \n> > > > (da) [*\\[Section 13 Subsection (1) amended by No. 41 of 2017, s. 12, Applied:01 Dec 2017\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2017-12-01/act-2017-041#GS12@Hpd@EN) the contribution was made in a personal capacity and could not reasonably be perceived to have been made in relation to the Member's role or duties; or\n> > > \n> > > > (e) the contribution was made by a political party of which the Member was a member and the travel was undertaken–\n> > > > \n> > > > > > (i) for the purpose of political activity of the party in Tasmania; or\n> > > > > \n> > > > > > (ii) to enable the Member to represent the party within Australia.\n> \n> > (2)  The amount of a contribution that is not a financial contribution is taken to be an amount equal to the value of the contribution.","sortOrder":18},{"sectionNumber":"14","sectionType":"section","heading":"Gifts","content":"### 14 Gifts\n\n> > (1)  [*\\[Section 14 Subsection (1) substituted by No. 41 of 2017, s. 13, Applied:01 Dec 2017\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2017-12-01/act-2017-041#GS13@EN) A Member is not required to disclose any gift received by the Member or a spouse of the Member, if –\n> > \n> > > > (a) the amount of the gift did not exceed $500 unless –\n> > > > \n> > > > > > (i) the gift was one of 2 or more gifts given by one person during the annual return period; and\n> > > > > \n> > > > > > (ii) the amount of those 2 or more gifts exceeded, in the aggregate, $500; or\n> > > \n> > > > (b) the donor was a relative of the Member; or\n> > > \n> > > > (c) the gift was given in a personal capacity and could not reasonably be perceived to have been given in relation to the Member's role or duties.\n> \n> > (2)  The amount of a gift comprising property that is not money is taken to be an amount equal to the value of the property.","sortOrder":19},{"sectionNumber":"Part 4","sectionType":"part","heading":"Register of Interests","content":"# Part 4 Register of Interests","sortOrder":20},{"sectionNumber":"15","sectionType":"section","heading":"Register of Interests of Members of Legislative Council","content":"### 15 Register of Interests of Members of Legislative Council\n\n> The Clerk of the Legislative Council is to keep all returns lodged by Members of the Legislative Council in a register to be known as the Register of Interests of Members of the Legislative Council.","sortOrder":21},{"sectionNumber":"16","sectionType":"section","heading":"Register of Interests of Members of House of Assembly","content":"### 16 Register of Interests of Members of House of Assembly\n\n> The Clerk of the House of Assembly is to keep all returns lodged by Members of the House of Assembly in a register to be known as the Register of Interests of Members of the House of Assembly.","sortOrder":22},{"sectionNumber":"17","sectionType":"section","heading":"Form of registers","content":"### 17 Form of registers\n\n> [*\\[Section 17 Substituted by No. 41 of 2017, s. 14, Applied:01 Dec 2017\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2017-12-01/act-2017-041#GS14@EN) The Register of Interests of Members of the Legislative Council and the Register of Interests of Members of the House of Assembly are to be in the prescribed form.","sortOrder":23},{"sectionNumber":"18","sectionType":"section","heading":"Inspection of registers","content":"### 18 Inspection of registers\n\n> > (1)  [*\\[Section 18 Subsection (1) substituted by No. 41 of 2017, s. 15, Applied:01 Dec 2017\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2017-12-01/act-2017-041#GS15@EN) The Clerk of each House of Parliament is to make the register available for inspection at the times, and in the manner, prescribed.\n> \n> > (2)  The Clerk of each House of Parliament is to make available the register for inspection by any Member during any time that House is sitting.","sortOrder":24},{"sectionNumber":"19","sectionType":"section","heading":"Tabling of registers","content":"### 19 Tabling of registers\n\n> > (1)  The Clerk of each House of Parliament, within 21 sitting days of that House after the last day –\n> > \n> > > > (a) for the lodgment of primary returns, is to furnish as appropriate to –\n> > > > \n> > > > > > (i) the President of the Legislative Council for tabling in the Legislative Council, a copy of the Register of Interests of Members of the Legislative Council; or\n> > > > > \n> > > > > > (ii) the Speaker of the House of Assembly for tabling in that House, a copy of the Register of Interests of Members of the House of Assembly; and\n> > > \n> > > > (b) [*\\[Section 19 Subsection (1) amended by No. 41 of 2017, s. 16, Applied:01 Dec 2017\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2017-12-01/act-2017-041#GS16@EN) for the lodgment of any annual return, is to furnish as appropriate to–\n> > > > \n> > > > > > (i) the President of the Legislative Council for tabling in the Legislative Council, a copy of that part of the Register of Interests of Members of the Legislative Council that has not been previously tabled in the Legislative Council; or\n> > > > > \n> > > > > > (ii) the Speaker of the House of Assembly for tabling in that House, a copy of that part of the Register of Interests of Members of the House of Assembly that has not been previously tabled in that House.\n> \n> > (2)  Sitting days are to be counted whether or not they occur during the same session.","sortOrder":25},{"sectionNumber":"20","sectionType":"section","heading":"Publication of registers","content":"### 20 Publication of registers\n\n> [*\\[Section 20 Amended by No. 41 of 2017, s. 17, Applied:01 Dec 2017\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2017-12-01/act-2017-041#GS17@EN) The Clerk is to cause a copy of a register or part of a register tabled under [section 19](#GS19@EN) to be published as a parliamentary paper and publicly online in accordance with the regulations.","sortOrder":26},{"sectionNumber":"21","sectionType":"section","heading":"Deletion of certain matter","content":"### 21 Deletion of certain matter\n\n> The Clerk, for the purpose of the tabling or publication of a copy of a register or part of a register, may delete –\n> \n> > > (a) any notes or directions concerning the completion of a return; and\n> > \n> > > (b) if no disclosures are made under a particular main heading in a return, any matter under that heading apart from the word \"NIL\"; and\n> > \n> > > (c) any page number; and\n> > \n> > > (ca) [*\\[Section 21 Amended by No. 41 of 2017, s. 18, Applied:01 Dec 2017\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2017-12-01/act-2017-041#GS18@EN) any information that, in the opinion of the Clerk, would, if published online, unreasonably compromise the privacy or safety of any person; and\n> > \n> > > (d) any other matter that is not relevant to any disclosure in a return.","sortOrder":27},{"sectionNumber":"22","sectionType":"section","heading":"Variation of return","content":"### 22 Variation of return\n\n> > (1)  A Member may notify the Clerk of any variation in any liability or information contained in a return lodged by that Member if the Member considers it necessary.\n> \n> > (2)  After being notified of any variation to a return, the Clerk is to amend the return accordingly.","sortOrder":28},{"sectionNumber":"Part 5","sectionType":"part","heading":"Miscellaneous","content":"# Part 5 Miscellaneous","sortOrder":29},{"sectionNumber":"23","sectionType":"section","heading":"Nil return","content":"### 23 Nil return\n\n> If a Member does not have any interests to be disclosed in a return, the Member must lodge a nil return.","sortOrder":30},{"sectionNumber":"23A","sectionType":"section","heading":"Indexation of certain amounts","content":"### 23A Indexation of certain amounts\n\n> [*\\[Section 23A Inserted by No. 41 of 2017, s. 19, Applied:01 Dec 2017\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2017-12-01/act-2017-041#GS19@EN)\n> \n> > (1)  An amount expressed in dollar terms (***threshold amount***) in [section 9A(b)](#GS9A@Hpb@EN) , [section 12(a)](#GS12@Hpa@EN) , [section 12(a)(ii)](#GS12@Hpa@Hqii@EN) , [section 13(1)(d)](#GS13@Gs1@Hpd@EN) , [section 13(1)(d)(ii)](#GS13@Gs1@Hpd@Hqii@EN) , [section 14(1)(a)](#GS14@Gs1@Hpa@EN) or [section 14(1)(a)(ii)](#GS14@Gs1@Hpa@Hqii@EN) is to be indexed in accordance with this section.\n> \n> > (2)  For a return relating to the financial year starting on 1 July 2016, a threshold amount is not to be indexed.\n> \n> > (3)  For a return relating to the financial year starting on 1 July 2017 and for each subsequent financial year, a threshold amount is to be indexed in accordance with the following formula:\n> > \n> > [![graphic image](/image/aeqbcovd.gif)](/image/aeqbcovd.gif)\n> > \n> > where –\n> > \n> > > ***A*** is the indexed amount;\n> > \n> > > ***B*** is the threshold amount;\n> > \n> > > ***C*** is the value of the CPI figure for Hobart for the March quarter immediately preceding the financial year in which the threshold amount is to apply;\n> > \n> > > ***D*** is the value of the CPI figure for Hobart for the March quarter 2017 as published with the CPI figure for Hobart used in the determination of \"**C**\".\n> \n> > (4)  If the value of A calculated in accordance with [subsection (3)](#GS23A@Gs3@EN) is not a multiple of $50, the amount is to be rounded off to the nearest multiple of $50, with an amount that is $25 more than a multiple of $50 being rounded off to the next highest multiple of $50.\n> \n> > (5)  In this section –\n> > \n> > > ***CPI figure for Hobart*** means the Consumer Price Index (All Groups) Number for Hobart published by the Australian Statistician under the authority of the *Census and Statistics Act 1905* of the Commonwealth.","sortOrder":31},{"sectionNumber":"24","sectionType":"section","heading":"Contempt of Parliament","content":"### 24 Contempt of Parliament\n\n> > (1)  A Member is guilty of contempt of Parliament if the Member –\n> > \n> > > > (a) fails to lodge a return when required under this Act; or\n> > > \n> > > > (b) [*\\[Section 24 Subsection (1) amended by No. 41 of 2017, s. 20, Applied:01 Dec 2017\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2017-12-01/act-2017-041#GS20@Hpa@EN) subject to [subsection (1A)](#GS24@Gs1A@EN) , fails to disclose any information required under this Act; or\n> > > \n> > > > (c) provides false or misleading information on a return.\n> \n> > (1A)  [*\\[Section 24 Subsection (1A) inserted by No. 41 of 2017, s. 20, Applied:01 Dec 2017\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2017-12-01/act-2017-041#GS20@Hpb@EN) A Member does not fail to disclose any information required under this Act if, in the case of information relating to a spouse, the Member –\n> > \n> > > > (a) makes all reasonable attempts to obtain that information; or\n> > > \n> > > > (b) could not reasonably be expected to have been aware of the information.\n> \n> > (1B)  [*\\[Section 24 Subsection (1B) inserted by No. 41 of 2017, s. 20, Applied:01 Dec 2017\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2017-12-01/act-2017-041#GS20@Hpb@EN) A Member is not guilty of contempt of Parliament in respect of a return if –\n> > \n> > > > (a) it is lodged in good faith; and\n> > > \n> > > > (b) at the time it is lodged, it meets the requirements of this Act.\n> \n> > (2)  In addition to any punishment given for contempt of Parliament by a Member, the relevant House of Parliament may do any or all of the following:\n> > \n> > > > (a) admonish the Member;\n> > > \n> > > > (b) impose a fine on the Member of an amount not exceeding $10 000;\n> > > \n> > > > (c) suspend the Member for any period it determines.","sortOrder":32},{"sectionNumber":"25","sectionType":"section","heading":"Regulations","content":"### 25 Regulations\n\n> > (1)  The Governor may make regulations for the purpose of this Act.\n> \n> > (2)  Regulations may be made so as to apply differently according to any matter, condition, limitation, restriction, exception or circumstance specified in the regulations.\n> \n> > (3)  The regulations may authorise any matter to be determined, applied or regulated by any person or body.\n> \n> > (4)  The regulations may confer a power and impose a duty on a specified person or a specified class of persons.","sortOrder":33},{"sectionNumber":"26","sectionType":"section","heading":"Administration of Act","content":"### 26 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 Premier; and\n> > \n> > > (b) the Department responsible to the Premier in relation to the administration of this Act is the Department of Premier and Cabinet.","sortOrder":34}],"analysis":{"issue_detection":{"absurdities":[],"contradictions":[]},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":6,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The original 1996 Act has grown significantly through amendments, particularly the 2017 overhaul (Act No. 41 of 2017). The scope expanded from basic income and property disclosure to include: (1) detailed travel contribution reporting with $250 thresholds; (2) comprehensive gift disclosure; (3) spousal/partner disclosure obligations (expanded via the Relationships Act 2003 to include de facto partners); (4) complex property disposition tracking; (5) automatic indexation of monetary thresholds; and (6) online publication requirements. The 2017 amendments also added the 'personal capacity' exceptions (sections 13(1)(da) and 14(1)(c)), which introduce subjective judgment elements not present in the original Act. The definition of 'relative' was expanded in 2012 to include surrogate children. What began as a straightforward financial disclosure regime has become a comprehensive transparency framework with intricate threshold calculations and privacy balancing mechanisms."},"complexity_factors":["24 defined terms in the interpretation section (section 3), many with nested sub-definitions","Multiple cross-references between Parts (e.g., 'Subject to Division 2' qualifications in sections 6 and 7)","Nested exceptions with multiple conditions: section 12 (debt exceptions) has 4 main paragraphs with sub-paragraphs (i) and (ii) in paragraph (a)","Complex threshold calculations with aggregation rules: sections 12, 13, and 14 require tracking multiple gifts/contributions/debts from the same person to determine if thresholds are exceeded","Mathematical indexation formula in section 23A with CPI referencing and rounding rules","Temporal complexity: different rules apply to 'primary return date' vs 'annual return period' with 12-month lookback periods","Spousal attribution rules that create joint liability for information gathering (section 24(1A) provides defences for 'reasonable attempts' to obtain spousal information)","Multiple amending acts referenced throughout (Nos. 41 of 2017, 42 of 2001, 45 of 2003, 31 of 2012, 8 of 2015, 74 of 1999) indicating layered amendments over 20+ years","Discretionary disclosure provision (section 9) creates subjective standard ('considers may raise a conflict')","Interaction with federal law: references to Commonwealth *Income Tax Assessment Act 1936* and *Corporations Act* for definitions of 'income' and 'securities'"],"plain_english_summary":"**What this law does:**\n\nThis is Tasmania's **Parliamentary (Disclosure of Interests) Act 1996**. It requires Members of the Tasmanian Parliament (both the Legislative Council and House of Assembly) to publicly declare their financial interests and other potential conflicts of interest.\n\n**Who it affects:**\n\n- **Members of Parliament (MPs)** – they must lodge detailed returns disclosing income, property, debts, corporate interests, gifts, and travel contributions\n- **Spouses of MPs** – many disclosure obligations extend to the MP's spouse or partner (including de facto partners under the *Relationships Act 2003*)\n- **The Clerks of each House** – they maintain public registers of these disclosures\n- **The public** – who can inspect these registers to see what interests their elected representatives hold\n\n**How it works:**\n\nMPs must lodge two types of returns:\n\n1. **Primary return** – within 3 months of taking office (for new MPs), disclosing current interests\n2. **Annual return** – by 1 October each year, updating changes over the past financial year\n\n**What must be disclosed:**\n\n- Sources of income over $500 (excluding parliamentary salary)\n- Real property interests (land and buildings)\n- Interests in companies and positions in trade unions or professional associations\n- Debts over $500 (with exceptions for mortgages with banks, debts to relatives, etc.)\n- Gifts over $500\n- Travel contributions over $250 (including free accommodation, transport, hospitality)\n- Certain property transfers and arrangements\n\n**Exceptions and thresholds:**\n\nThe Act includes numerous exceptions to protect privacy and avoid over-disclosure. For example:\n- Income under $500 from a single source need not be disclosed\n- Gifts from relatives are exempt\n- Debts to banks in the ordinary course of business are exempt\n- Travel contributions under $250 are exempt\n- Gifts given in a \"personal capacity\" unrelated to parliamentary duties are exempt\n\n**Why it matters:**\n\nThis law promotes **transparency and accountability** in government. It helps prevent corruption by making visible the financial interests that might influence an MP's decisions. The registers are public documents, tabled in Parliament and published online (with some privacy redactions allowed).\n\n**Penalties:**\n\nFailure to lodge returns, failure to disclose required information, or providing false information constitutes **contempt of Parliament**. The relevant House can admonish the MP, fine them up to $10,000, or suspend them from Parliament.\n\n**Recent updates:**\n\nThe Act was substantially amended in 2017 to modernise disclosure requirements, add indexation of monetary thresholds to keep pace with inflation, and clarify obligations regarding spouses and partners."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":5,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The Act as presented incorporates later amendments (particularly No. 41 of 2017 and other cited amending instruments) that altered disclosure content and definitions and added procedural and monetary rules. Key scope changes include replacement of the primary/annual disclosure rules (ss 6–7 substituted), insertion of indexation for monetary thresholds (s 23A), new carve-outs and clarifications about spouse information and travel/gift thresholds (ss 9A, 12–14), and updated publication/inspection and deletion powers for Clerks (ss 17–21). These amendments change what must be disclosed, the monetary cut-offs, and administrative handling."},"complexity_factors":["Multiple disclosure categories (income, real property, corporate positions, debts, gifts, travel) with different timing and form rules (ss 4–7).","Numerous exceptions and de minimis thresholds that interact across categories (Division 2; ss 9A, 10–14).","Monetary thresholds subject to indexation via a CPI formula (s 23A) increasing calculation complexity.","Frequent amendments and substituted sections noted in the text (notably No. 41 of 2017), producing many cross-references and historical variants (eg s 3, s 6, s 7).","Administrative discretions: Clerk’s power to delete material for privacy/safety and to prescribe forms, times and manners of inspection/publication (ss 17, 18, 20, 21).","Penalties framed as contempt of Parliament with good-faith and spouse-information carve-outs, creating evidentiary and enforcement nuances (s 24).","Cross-references to external statutes for definitions and exclusions (Income Tax Assessment Act, Corporations Act, Parliamentary Salaries Act)."],"plain_english_summary":"This Act requires Tasmanian Members of Parliament to lodge primary and annual returns disclosing income, property interests, corporate positions, debts, gifts and travel contributions. Clerks must keep registers that are tabled and published (with limited deletions for privacy); failure to comply or lodging false information is contempt of Parliament and can attract admonition, fines up to $10,000 or suspension."},"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"},"summary":{"complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"Based on available information, the Act appears to remain consistent with its original 1996 intent: requiring Tasmanian MPs to publicly disclose personal interests to promote transparency and prevent conflicts of interest. The version current from 1 December 2017 suggests amendments have been made over time, but there is no indication from the provided text that the fundamental scope has shifted away from its original purpose."},"complexity_factors":["Multiple categories of declarable interests requiring careful interpretation of what must be disclosed","Ongoing compliance obligations with specific timeframes for disclosure updates","Potential interaction with parliamentary privilege (the special legal protections that apply inside Parliament)","Enforcement and penalty provisions that require understanding of parliamentary procedure","Definitions of key terms (e.g., what counts as a 'registrable interest') may be technical","NOTE: Complexity assessment is limited due to the truncated nature of the provided text — only metadata was supplied, not the full operative sections of the Act"],"plain_english_summary":"Tasmania’s Parliamentary (Disclosure of Interests) Act 1996 requires members of the House of Assembly and Legislative Council to publicly declare personal financial and other interests—like investments, property, gifts, paid travel, debts and outside employment—which are recorded in a public Register of Interests.  \n\nThe law helps voters and the public identify potential conflicts of interest, increasing transparency and accountability of elected representatives."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/parliamentary-disclosure-of-interests-act-1996","history":"/api/acts/parliamentary-disclosure-of-interests-act-1996/history","analysis":"/api/acts/parliamentary-disclosure-of-interests-act-1996/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/parliamentary-disclosure-of-interests-act-1996/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/parliamentary-disclosure-of-interests-act-1996/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/parliamentary-disclosure-of-interests-act-1996/documents"}}