{"id":"tas:act-1914-032","name":"Public Works Committee Act 1914","slug":"public-works-committee-act-1914","collection":"act","jurisdiction":"tas","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":"32 of 1914","makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":110708,"registerId":"tas-act-1914-032-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-03","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"Part I","sectionType":"part","heading":"Preliminary","content":"# Part I Preliminary","sortOrder":0},{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Short title","content":"### 1 Short title\n\n> This Act may be cited as the [Public Works Committee Act 1914](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1914-032) .","sortOrder":1},{"sectionNumber":"2","sectionType":"section","heading":"Interpretation","content":"### 2 Interpretation\n\n> *\\[Section 2 Repealed by 25 Geo. V No. 78 \\]*In this Act, unless the contrary intention appears –\n> \n> > ***building or construction works*** means any building work, civil engineering work or engineering work, whether such work is a continuation, completion, repair, reconstruction, extension, de-commissioning, demolition or new work,but does not include any road or bridges works;\n> \n> > ***public work*** means –\n> > \n> > > > (a) building or construction works; and\n> > > \n> > > > (b) road or bridges works;\n> \n> > ***relevant monetary threshold***, in relation to –\n> > \n> > > > (a) building or construction works – means $8 000 000; or\n> > > \n> > > > (b) road or bridges works – means $15 000 000;\n> \n> > ***road or bridges works*** means any work in relation to the following:\n> > \n> > > > (a) roads, within the meaning of the [Roads and Jetties Act 1935](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1935-082) ;\n> > > \n> > > > (b) any carriageway, track, or path, for –\n> > > > \n> > > > > > (i) any vehicle that travels on land; or\n> > > > > \n> > > > > > (ii) trains, trams, buses or motorised bicycles; or\n> > > > > \n> > > > > > (iii) any self-propelled object that is designed for the carriage of humans or objects;\n> > > \n> > > > (c) footpaths, bicycle paths or paths or trails for pedestrians or animals;\n> > > \n> > > > (d) bridges –\n> > \n> > whether such work is a continuation, completion, repair, reconstruction, extension, decommissioning, or demolition, of a road, carriageway, track, path, trail or bridge, is new such work or is for the purposes of the permanent closure of a road, carriageway, track, path, trail or bridge;\n> \n> > ***vehicle*** has the same meaning as in the [Vehicle and Traffic Act 1999](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1999-070) .","sortOrder":2},{"sectionNumber":"Part II","sectionType":"part","heading":"Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works","content":"# Part II Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works","sortOrder":3},{"sectionNumber":"3","sectionType":"section","heading":"Constitution of Committee","content":"### 3 Constitution of Committee\n\n> *\\[Section 3 Amended by 6 Geo. V No. 3, s. 5 \\]**\\[Section 3 Amended by 25 Geo. V No. 78 \\]*\n> \n> > (1)  At the commencement of the first session of every Parliament, a Joint Committee of Members of the Legislative Council and House of Assembly, to be called \"The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works\" (in this Act referred to as \"the Committee\"), shall be appointed, where not otherwise provided, according to the practice regulating the selection of Members to serve on Select Committees of the said Council and Assembly respectively.\n> \n> > (2)  Two of the persons so to be appointed shall be Members of the Legislative Council, and three shall be Members of the House of Assembly.\n> \n> > (3)  [*\\[Section 3 Subsection (3) amended by No. 38 of 1999, s. 4, Applied:16 Jul 1999\\]*](/view/html/inforce/1999-07-16/act-1999-038#GS4@Hpb@EN) [*\\[Section 3 Subsection (3) amended by No. 38 of 1999, s. 4, Applied:16 Jul 1999\\]*](/view/html/inforce/1999-07-16/act-1999-038#GS4@Hpa@EN) Ministers of the Crown, the President of the Legislative Council, and the Speaker of the House of Assembly, shall not be appointed or continue as members of the Committee.\n> \n> > (4)  Such five persons shall hold office as a Joint Committee (subject to the provisions of [section four)](#GS4@EN) for the duration of the House of Assembly for the time being, but shall cease to hold office as soon as such Assembly expires by dissolution or effluxion of time; and shall have and may exercise such powers and authorities, perform such duties, and be liable to such obligations as are by this Act vested in or imposed upon such Committee.\n> \n> > (5)  The names of the persons from time to time appointed to be members of such Committee shall be notified in the *Gazette* with all convenient dispatch.\n> \n> > (6)  The election of members of the Committee by the House of Assembly shall be conducted on the principle adopted with regard to the election of Members of that House.","sortOrder":4},{"sectionNumber":"4","sectionType":"section","heading":"Vacancies","content":"### 4 Vacancies\n\n> > (1)  Any member of the Committee may resign his seat on such Committee, by writing under his hand, addressed to the Governor. The seat of any such Member shall also be deemed to have become vacant for any reason which would vacate his seat as a Member of the Council or Assembly (as the case may be).\n> \n> > (2)  *\\[Section 4 Subsection (2) substituted by 8 Geo. V No. 2, s. 2 \\]*Where a vacancy occurs in the Committee, it shall be filled by appointment as aforesaid, within the next thirty sitting days of the House of Assembly, occurring after the happening of the vacancy: Provided that, if the vacancy arises when the Parliament is not in session, or, if the vacancy having arisen when the Parliament was in session remains unfilled when the Parliament is not in session, the Governor shall appoint a Member of Parliament to temporarily fill the vacancy until it shall be filled by appointment as aforesaid within the said thirty sitting days.","sortOrder":5},{"sectionNumber":"5","sectionType":"section","heading":"Quorum","content":"### 5 Quorum\n\n> Any three members of the Committee shall form a quorum competent to exercise all powers and authorities, and to incur all obligations conferred or imposed by this Act upon the Committee, but any reports and recommendations to Parliament must be approved by a majority of the whole Committee.","sortOrder":6},{"sectionNumber":"6","sectionType":"section","heading":"Chairman and Vice-Chairman","content":"### 6 Chairman and Vice-Chairman\n\n> There shall be a Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Committee, who shall be elected by the members of the Committee at their first meeting, or as soon thereafter as is practicable. The Chairman, or, in case of his absence or other disability, the Vice-Chairman, shall preside at all meetings of the Committee: Provided that at any meeting of the Committee at which a quorum is present, the members in attendance may, in the absence of the Chairman and Vice-Chairman, appoint one of their number then present to be temporary Chairman, and the temporary Chairman shall have, during the absence of the Chairman and Vice-Chairman, all the powers given by this Act to the Chairman or Vice-Chairman.","sortOrder":7},{"sectionNumber":"7","sectionType":"section","heading":"Secretary","content":"### 7 Secretary\n\n> > (1)  The Governor shall appoint, on the joint recommendation of the President of the Legislative Council and the Speaker of the House of Assembly, a secretary of the Committee from amongst the officers of the two Houses of Parliament, who shall perform all duties required of him by the Committee as such secretary, and shall receive such salary and remuneration as the Governor may approve.\n> \n> > (2)  *\\[Section 7 Subsection (2) added by No. 65 of 1970, s. 2 \\]*Notwithstanding [subsection (1) of section twenty-one of the](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1931-059#GS21@Gs1@EN) [Acts Interpretation Act 1931](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1931-059) , in the event of the sickness or absence of the secretary, or his inability to act, the President of the Legislative Council and the Speaker of the House of Assembly may jointly select one of the officers of the Houses of Parliament to act in the place of the secretary for such period or until such date as the President and Speaker may jointly determine, and while so acting that officer shall, for all purposes, be regarded as the secretary.","sortOrder":8},{"sectionNumber":"8","sectionType":"section","heading":"Voting","content":"### 8 Voting\n\n> > (1)  The Chairman of the Committee shall have a deliberative vote only. When the votes are equal the question shall pass in the negative.\n> \n> > (2)  In all cases of divisions, the names of the persons voting shall be stated in the minutes and in the report.","sortOrder":9},{"sectionNumber":"9","sectionType":"section","heading":"Power to sit during recess and with open doors","content":"### 9 Power to sit during recess and with open doors\n\n> The Committee may sit and transact business during any adjournment or recess, and may sit at such times and in such places, and conduct their proceedings in such manner, as they may deem proper, and such Committee shall sit with open doors.","sortOrder":10},{"sectionNumber":"10","sectionType":"section","heading":"Reports","content":"### 10 Reports\n\n> The Committee shall, before the commencement of each session of Parliament, make a report to the Governor of their proceedings under this Act; and such report shall be laid before both Houses of Parliament within fourteen days after the making thereof, if Parliament is then sitting, and, if not, then within fourteen days after the commencement of the next session.","sortOrder":11},{"sectionNumber":"11","sectionType":"section","heading":"Minutes","content":"### 11 Minutes\n\n> The Committee shall keep full minutes of their proceedings in such manner as the Governor directs.","sortOrder":12},{"sectionNumber":"12","sectionType":"section","heading":"Evidence taken before previous Committees","content":"### 12 Evidence taken before previous Committees\n\n> Where any public work is referred to any Committee, and such Committee lapses or ceases to have legal existence before it reports on such public work, the evidence taken before such Committee shall, nevertheless, be considered by any subsequent Committee to whom the public work may be referred for report pursuant to this Act as if such evidence had been given before and for the information and guidance of such subsequent Committee.","sortOrder":13},{"sectionNumber":"Part III","sectionType":"part","heading":"Powers of the Committee","content":"# Part III Powers of the Committee","sortOrder":14},{"sectionNumber":"13","sectionType":"section","heading":"Power to enter land, &c.","content":"### 13 Power to enter land, &c.\n\n> The Committee may, by themselves or by any person appointed by them to prosecute any inquiry, enter and inspect any land, building, place, or material, the entry or inspection of which appears to them requisite, upon the prescribed notice being given to the owners or occupiers of such land, building, place, or material.","sortOrder":15},{"sectionNumber":"14","sectionType":"section","heading":"Power to summon witnesses","content":"### 14 Power to summon witnesses\n\n> > (1)  The Committee may summon witnesses to appear before it to give evidence and produce documents.\n> \n> > (2)  A summons to a witness may be in accordance with [form A in the schedule](#JS1@JFA@EN) , and shall be signed by the Chairman or Vice-Chairman.\n> \n> > (3)  A summons to a witness may be served upon the witness either personally or by being left at or sent by post to his usual place of business or abode.","sortOrder":16},{"sectionNumber":"15","sectionType":"section","heading":"Functions of Committee","content":"### 15 Functions of Committee\n\n> *\\[Section 15 Amended by 10 Geo. V No. 51, s. 2 \\]**\\[Section 15 Amended by No. 16 of 1948, s. 2 \\]**\\[Section 15 Amended by No. 2 of 1954, s. 2 \\]*\n> \n> > (1)  [*\\[Section 15 Subsection (1) amended by No. 42 of 2019, s. 5, Applied:12 Dec 2019\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2019-12-12/act-2019-042#GS5@EN) [*\\[Section 15 Subsection (1) amended by No. 21 of 2009, s. 4, Applied:16 Jun 2009\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2009-06-16/act-2009-021#GS4@Hpb@EN) [*\\[Section 15 Subsection (1) amended by No. 21 of 2009, s. 4, Applied:16 Jun 2009\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2009-06-16/act-2009-021#GS4@Hpa@EN) [*\\[Section 15 Subsection (1) amended by No. 108 of 2001, s. 4, Applied:17 Dec 2001\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2001-12-17/act-2001-108#GS4@EN) *\\[Section 15 Subsection (1) amended by No. 7 of 1962, s. 2 \\]**\\[Section 15 Subsection (1) amended by No. 66 of 1964, s. 2 \\]**\\[Section 15 Subsection (1) amended by No. 65 of 1970, s. 3 \\]**\\[Section 15 Subsection (1) amended by No. 26 of 1974, s. 2 \\]**\\[Section 15 Subsection (1) amended by No. 89 of 1975, s. 2 \\]**\\[Section 15 Subsection (1) amended by No. 5 of 1980, s. 3 \\]**\\[Section 15 Subsection (1) amended by No. 7 of 1983, s. 3 \\]*The Committee shall, subject to the provisions of this Act, consider and report upon every public work that is proposed to be undertaken by a general government sector body, except any public work which hereafter may be withdrawn from the operation of this Act by a resolution withdrawing same adopted by each House of Parliament (and whether such work is a continuation, completion, repair, reconstruction, extension, or new work), in all cases where the estimated cost of completing the work exceeds the relevant monetary threshold in relation to the work.\n> \n> > (2)  In considering and reporting on any work, the Committee shall have regard to –\n> > \n> > > > (a) the stated purpose thereof;\n> > > \n> > > > (b) the necessity or advisability of carrying it out; and where the work purports to be of a reproductive or revenue producing character, the amount of revenue which it may reasonably be expected to produce; and\n> > > \n> > > > (c) the present and prospective public value of the work –\n> > \n> > and generally the Committee shall in all cases take such measures and procure such information as may enable them to inform or satisfy Parliament as to the expedience of carrying out the work.\n> \n> > (3)  [*\\[Section 15 Subsection (3) inserted by No. 21 of 2009, s. 4, Applied:16 Jun 2009\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2009-06-16/act-2009-021#GS4@Hpc@EN) In this section –\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 State authority classified as an entity within the general government sector in the Treasurer's annual report;\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> > > [*\\[Section 15 Subsection (3) amended by No. 24 of 2012, s. 10, Applied:12 Jul 2012\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2012-07-12/act-2012-024#GS10@EN) [*\\[Section 15 Subsection (3) amended by No. 4 of 2017, Sched. 1, Applied:01 Jul 2019\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2019-07-01/act-2017-004#JS1@Ja98@GC1@EN) ***Treasurer's annual report*** means the annual 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) .","sortOrder":17},{"sectionNumber":"16","sectionType":"section","heading":"Conditions precedent to commencing public works","content":"### 16 Conditions precedent to commencing public works\n\n> *\\[Section 16 Amended by 10 Geo. V No. 51, s. 3 \\]**\\[Section 16 Amended by No. 16 of 1948, s. 3 \\]**\\[Section 16 Amended by No. 2 of 1954, s. 3 \\]*\n> \n> > (1)  [*\\[Section 16 Subsection (1) amended by No. 42 of 2019, s. 6, Applied:12 Dec 2019\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2019-12-12/act-2019-042#GS6@Hpa@EN) [*\\[Section 16 Subsection (1) amended by No. 21 of 2009, s. 5, Applied:16 Jun 2009\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2009-06-16/act-2009-021#GS5@Hpa@EN) [*\\[Section 16 Subsection (1) amended by No. 108 of 2001, s. 5, Applied:17 Dec 2001\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2001-12-17/act-2001-108#GS5@Hpa@EN) *\\[Section 16 Subsection (1) amended by No. 7 of 1962, s. 3 \\]**\\[Section 16 Subsection (1) amended by No. 58 of 1962, s. 2 \\]**\\[Section 16 Subsection (1) amended by No. 66 of 1964, s. 3 \\]**\\[Section 16 Subsection (1) amended by No. 65 of 1970, s. 4 \\]**\\[Section 16 Subsection (1) amended by No. 26 of 1974, s. 3 \\]**\\[Section 16 Subsection (1) amended by No. 89 of 1975, s. 3 \\]**\\[Section 16 Subsection (1) amended by No. 5 of 1980, s. 4 \\]**\\[Section 16 Subsection (1) amended by No. 7 of 1983, s. 4 \\]*No public work to which [section fifteen](#GS15@EN) applies (except such works as have already been authorized by Parliament or hereafter may be withdrawn from the operation of this Act by a resolution withdrawing same adopted by each House of Parliament), the estimated cost of completing which exceeds the relevant monetary threshold in relation to such work, and whether such work is a continuation, completion, repair, reconstruction, extension, or new work, shall be commenced unless it has first been referred to and reported upon by the Committee in accordance with this section.\n> \n> > (2)  [*\\[Section 16 Subsection (2) amended by No. 42 of 2019, s. 6, Applied:12 Dec 2019\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2019-12-12/act-2019-042#GS6@Hpb@EN) [*\\[Section 16 Subsection (2) amended by No. 21 of 2009, s. 5, Applied:16 Jun 2009\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2009-06-16/act-2009-021#GS5@Hpb@EN) The Governor shall by writing under his hand addressed to the Committee refer every proposed public work that exceeds the relevant monetary threshold in relation to such work to the Committee for their report thereon.\n> \n> > (3)  [*\\[Section 16 Subsection (3) amended by No. 108 of 2001, s. 5, Applied:17 Dec 2001\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2001-12-17/act-2001-108#GS5@Hpb@EN) With every such reference to the Committee there shall be furnished to the Committee an estimate of the cost of such work when completed, together with such plans and specifications or other descriptions as the Minister administering the [Public Works Construction Act 1880](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1880-032) for the time being deems proper, together with the prescribed reports on the probable cost of construction and maintenance, and an estimate of the probable revenue, if any, to be derived therefrom. Such estimates, plans, specifications, descriptions, and reports to be authenticated or verified in the prescribed manner.\n> \n> > (4)  The Committee shall, with all convenient dispatch, deal with the matter and shall as soon as conveniently practicable, regard being had to the nature and importance of the proposed work, report to the House of Assembly, if the House of Assembly is then in session, and, if not, to the Governor, the result of their inquiries.\n> \n> > (5)  *\\[Section 16 Subsection (5) omitted by No. 58 of 1962, s. 2 \\]**\\[Section 16 Subsection (5) inserted by No. 66 of 1964, s. 3 \\]*If in a report under [subsection (4)](#GS16@Gs4@EN) of this section, the Committee does not recommend the carrying out of the work to which the report relates, that work shall not be commenced unless and until it has been authorized by an Act.","sortOrder":18},{"sectionNumber":"17","sectionType":"section","heading":"Power of House of Assembly or Legislative Council to extend Act","content":"### 17 Power of House of Assembly or Legislative Council to extend Act\n\n> *\\[Section 17 Amended by No. 16 of 1948, s. 4 \\]**\\[Section 17 Amended by No. 2 of 1954, s. 4 \\]**\\[Section 17 Amended by No. 7 of 1962, s. 4 \\]**\\[Section 17 Amended by No. 66 of 1964, s. 4 \\]**\\[Section 17 Amended by No. 65 of 1970, s. 5 \\]**\\[Section 17 Amended by No. 26 of 1974, s. 4 \\]**\\[Section 17 Amended by No. 89 of 1975, s. 4 \\]**\\[Section 17 Amended by No. 5 of 1980, s. 5 \\]**\\[Section 17 Amended by No. 7 of 1983, s. 5 \\]*[*\\[Section 17 Amended by No. 108 of 2001, s. 6, Applied:17 Dec 2001\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2001-12-17/act-2001-108#GS6@EN) [*\\[Section 17 Amended by No. 21 of 2009, s. 6, Applied:16 Jun 2009\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2009-06-16/act-2009-021#GS6@EN) [*\\[Section 17 Amended by No. 42 of 2019, s. 7, Applied:12 Dec 2019\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2019-12-12/act-2019-042#GS7@EN) The House of Assembly or Legislative Council may by resolution, with respect to any public work the estimated cost of which does not exceed the relevant monetary threshold in relation to such work, direct that the same shall be referred to the Committee, in which case all the powers and provisions of this Act shall be applicable to such work.","sortOrder":19},{"sectionNumber":"18.","sectionType":"section","heading":null,"content":"### 18.\n\n*\\[Section 18 Repealed by No. 58 of 1962, s. 3 \\]*","sortOrder":20},{"sectionNumber":"19","sectionType":"section","heading":"Warrant in case of disobedience to summons","content":"### 19 Warrant in case of disobedience to summons\n\n> > (1)  If any witness upon whom a summons under this Act has been served after the tender of prescribed expenses, fails to appear or to continue in attendance in obedience to the summons, the Chairman or Vice-Chairman may issue a warrant for his apprehension.\n> \n> > (2)  The warrant may be in accordance with [form B in the schedule](#JS1@JFB@EN) , and shall authorize the apprehension of the witness, and his being brought before the Committee to give evidence, and his detention in custody for that purpose until he is released by order of the Chairman or Vice-Chairman.\n> \n> > (3)  The warrant may be executed by the person to whom it is addressed or by any person whom he appoints to assist him in its execution, and the person executing the warrant shall have power to break and enter any building, place, or ship for the purpose of executing it.","sortOrder":21},{"sectionNumber":"20","sectionType":"section","heading":"Penalty for disobedience to summons","content":"### 20 Penalty for disobedience to summons\n\n> If any witness, upon whom a summons under this Act has been served, fails, without reasonable excuse (proof whereof shall lie upon him), to appear or to continue in attendance in obedience to the summons, he shall be guilty of an offence against this Act.","sortOrder":22},{"sectionNumber":"21","sectionType":"section","heading":"Preventing witnesses from giving evidence","content":"### 21 Preventing witnesses from giving evidence\n\n> Whoever, by act or omission, knowingly dissuades or prevents any witness from obeying a summons under this Act, shall be guilty of an offence against this Act.","sortOrder":23},{"sectionNumber":"22","sectionType":"section","heading":"Power to take evidence","content":"### 22 Power to take evidence\n\n> > (1)  The Committee may examine witnesses upon their solemn declaration, and such examination shall be conducted in accordance with the Standing Orders of the House of Assembly in the case of Select Committees.\n> \n> > (2)  [*\\[Section 22 Subsection (2) amended by No. 33 of 2023, s. 27, Applied:27 Nov 2023\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2023-11-27/act-2023-033#GS27@EN) [*\\[Section 22 Subsection (2) amended by No. 80 of 2001, Sched. 1, Applied:01 Jul 2002\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2002-07-01/act-2001-080#JS1@Ja20@GC1@EN) [Section 2A of the](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1858-017#GS2A@EN) [Parliamentary Privilege Act 1858](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1858-017) is incorporated with this Act.","sortOrder":24},{"sectionNumber":"23","sectionType":"section","heading":"Penalty for refusing to be sworn, &c.","content":"### 23 Penalty for refusing to be sworn, &c.\n\n> If any witness refuses, without just cause (proof whereof shall be upon him), to make such declaration or to answer any question put to him by the Committee, or by any member thereof, or to produce any document which he is required by the Committee to produce, he shall be guilty of an offence against this Act.","sortOrder":25},{"sectionNumber":"24.","sectionType":"section","heading":null,"content":"### 24.\n\n*\\[Section 24 Repealed by 14 Geo. V No. 69, s. 3 and Sched. 2 \\]*","sortOrder":26},{"sectionNumber":"25","sectionType":"section","heading":"Privileges of witnesses","content":"### 25 Privileges of witnesses\n\n> Every witness summoned to appear, or appearing before the Committee, shall have the same protection and privilege as a witness in a case tried in the Supreme Court.","sortOrder":27},{"sectionNumber":"26","sectionType":"section","heading":"Protection of witnesses","content":"### 26 Protection of witnesses\n\n> Whoever uses, causes, inflicts, or procures any violence, punishment, damage, loss, or disadvantage to any person for or on account of his having appeared as a witness before the Committee, or for or on account of any evidence lawfully given by him before the Committee, shall be guilty of an offence against this Act.","sortOrder":28},{"sectionNumber":"27","sectionType":"section","heading":"Witnesses' expenses","content":"### 27 Witnesses' expenses\n\n> Every witness appearing before the Committee to give evidence shall be entitled to be paid such witnesses' fees and travelling expenses as the Chairman or Vice-Chairman thinks fit to allow in accordance with a scale prescribed by the Governor.","sortOrder":29},{"sectionNumber":"28.","sectionType":"section","heading":null,"content":"### 28.\n\n*\\[Section 28 Repealed by 25 Geo. V No. 78 \\]*","sortOrder":30},{"sectionNumber":"29","sectionType":"section","heading":"Proceedings to be instituted by Attorney-General only","content":"### 29 Proceedings to be instituted by Attorney-General only\n\n> Proceedings for offences against this Act shall be instituted only by the Attorney-General, or by his direction.","sortOrder":31},{"sectionNumber":"30","sectionType":"section","heading":"Punishment of offenders","content":"### 30 Punishment of offenders\n\n> *\\[Section 30 Amended by No. 55 of 1965, s. 5 \\]**\\[Section 30 Amended by No. 43 of 1991, s. 5 and Sched. 1 \\]*A person convicted of an offence against this Act shall, if no higher penalty is provided, be punishable by a fine not exceeding 100 penalty units or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months.","sortOrder":32},{"sectionNumber":"31","sectionType":"section","heading":"Assessors","content":"### 31 Assessors\n\n> > (1)  The Committee may, in the exercise of any powers by this Act conferred on them, call in the aid of one or more assessors, who shall be persons of engineering or other technical knowledge, or possessing special local knowledge or experience.\n> \n> > (2)  There shall be paid to such assessors such remuneration as the Committee may recommend and the Governor may approve and as Parliament may provide.","sortOrder":33},{"sectionNumber":"Part IV","sectionType":"part","heading":"Miscellaneous","content":"# Part IV Miscellaneous\n\n[*\\[Part IV Heading amended by No. 42 of 2019, s. 8, Applied:12 Dec 2019\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2019-12-12/act-2019-042#GS8@EN)","sortOrder":34},{"sectionNumber":"32","sectionType":"section","heading":"Transitional provisions consequent on enactment of Public Works Committee Amendment Act 2019","content":"### 32 Transitional provisions consequent on enactment of Public Works Committee Amendment Act 2019\n\n> *\\[Section 32 Amended by No. 59 of 1948, s. 10 \\]**\\[Section 32 Substituted by No. 58 of 1962, s. 4 \\]**\\[Section 32 Amended by No. 66 of 1964, s. 5 \\]**\\[Section 32 Substituted by No. 82 of 1954, s. 2 \\]**\\[Section 32 Repealed by No. 27 of 1973, s. 2 \\]*\n> \n> > (1)  In this section –\n> > \n> > > ***amending Act*** means the [Public Works Committee Amendment Act 2019](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-2019-042) ;\n> > \n> > > ***amendment day*** means the day on which the amending Act commences.\n> \n> > (2)  If –\n> > \n> > > > (a) any public work is, before the amendment day, referred to the Committee under this Act; and\n> > > \n> > > > (b) the Committee has not, before that day, reported under this Act on the public work –\n> > \n> > the provisions of this Act as in force immediately before the amendment day continue to apply to and in relation to the public work as if the amendments to this Act made by the amending Act had not commenced.","sortOrder":35},{"sectionNumber":"33.","sectionType":"section","heading":null,"content":"### 33.\n\n*\\[Section 33 Repealed by No. 27 of 1973, s. 2 \\]*","sortOrder":36},{"sectionNumber":"34.","sectionType":"section","heading":null,"content":"### 34.\n\n*\\[Section 34 Amended by No. 66 of 1964, s. 6 \\]* *\\[Section 34 Repealed by No. 61 of 1967, s. 2 \\]*","sortOrder":37},{"sectionNumber":"35","sectionType":"section","heading":"Office of profit","content":"### 35 Office of profit\n\n> Nothing in this Part shall be taken to constitute the office of any member of the said Committee an office of profit so as to render such member incapable of sitting or voting as a Member of the Legislature, or to make void the election of such member.","sortOrder":38},{"sectionNumber":"SCHEDULE 1","sectionType":"part","heading":"SCHEDULE 1","content":"# SCHEDULE 1 SCHEDULE 1\n\n[Sections 14](#GS14@EN) , [19](#GS19@EN)","sortOrder":39},{"sectionNumber":"Form A","sectionType":"division","heading":"Form A","content":"## Form A Form A\n\n[![graphic image](/image/SG0093.gif)](/image/SG0093.gif)","sortOrder":40},{"sectionNumber":"Form B","sectionType":"division","heading":"Form B","content":"## Form B Form B\n\n[![graphic image](/image/SG0094.gif)](/image/SG0094.gif)","sortOrder":41}],"analysis":{"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The Act’s current text shows multiple post‑enactment amendments and additions that alter its operation and coverage. The amendment annotations to section 15 and section 16 and the insertion of a formal definition of “general government sector body” (s.15(3)) indicate that the class of bodies whose works are subject to review has been refined. The insertion of explicit monetary thresholds for building/construction works ($8,000,000) and road/bridge works ($15,000,000) (s.2) establishes a clear financial scope that may not have existed in the original text. Recent amendment notes appear also in s.22(2) (incorporation of Parliamentary Privilege Act provision) and a transitional provision (s.32) tied to the 2019 amending Act, showing that the Act’s procedures and coverage have been updated over time. These internal amendment notes in the text are the basis for concluding the Act’s scope has changed since its original form."},"complexity_factors":["Multiple defined terms and monetary thresholds (s.2) that determine whether the Act applies to a project","Cross‑references to other Acts and external documents (e.g. Roads and Jetties Act 1935, Financial Management Act 2016, State Service Act 2000) creating dependencies","Procedural provisions governing composition, quorum and voting (ss.3, 5, 6, 8) including the rule that reports need majority of the whole Committee","Detailed evidence and enforcement regime (summonses, warrants, offences, penalties) with prosecutorial control by the Attorney‑General (ss.14, 19–21, 29–30)","Requirements for authenticated plans and prescribed reports supplied by Ministers (s.16(3)) and Governor’s role in referrals (s.16(2)) introducing administrative discretion","Amendment history and transitional provisions recorded in the text (e.g. s.15, s.16, s.22, s.32) which affect interpretation and scope"],"plain_english_summary":"### What this Act does, in plain terms\n\nThis Act sets up a five‑member Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works and gives it a formal role in reviewing certain government construction projects before they start. The Committee must be made up of two members of the Legislative Council and three members of the House of Assembly; Ministers and the Presiding Officers cannot sit on it (s.3). The Committee meets publicly, keeps minutes, reports to Parliament, and may call witnesses, inspect sites and request documents in the course of its inquiries (ss.9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 22).\n\n### Which projects are covered\n\nA “public work” is defined to include building or construction works and road or bridge works (s.2). The Act draws a monetary line: building or construction projects estimated to cost more than $8,000,000, and road or bridge projects estimated to cost more than $15,000,000, must be referred to the Committee before they start (s.2 definition of relevant monetary threshold; s.16(1)). The Governor must refer any such proposed public work to the Committee in writing (s.16(2)). Either House may also, by resolution, direct that works below those thresholds be referred (s.17).\n\n### What the Committee must do and consider\n\nWhen a project is referred, the responsible Minister must provide authenticated plans, specifications, cost and maintenance estimates and any prescribed reports, including estimates of likely revenue where applicable (s.16(3)). The Committee considers and reports on each referred public work proposed to be undertaken by a general government sector body (s.15(1), (3)). In doing so it must have regard to the project’s stated purpose, its necessity or advisability (including income or revenue prospects where the work is revenue‑producing) and the present and prospective public value of the work (s.15(2)). The Committee must report to the House of Assembly (or to the Governor if the Assembly is not sitting) as soon as reasonably practicable (s.16(4)).\n\n### Effect on commencing works\n\nNo covered public work may be commenced until the Committee has been referred the matter and has reported (s.16(1)–(4)). If the Committee does not recommend carrying out a work, that work must not be commenced unless an Act of Parliament authorises it (s.16(5)). Either House may withdraw particular works from the operation of the Act by adopting a resolution (s.15(1), s.16(1)).\n\n### Powers, enforcement and protections\n\nThe Committee can summon witnesses and require production of documents; summonses are signed by the Chair or Vice‑Chair (s.14). Failure to obey a summons can lead to a warrant for apprehension (s.19), and certain failures to comply are criminal offences prosecuted only by the Attorney‑General (ss.20, 29). Penalties for offences under the Act are up to 100 penalty units or 12 months’ imprisonment if no higher penalty applies (s.30). Witnesses have the same protection and privilege as witnesses in Supreme Court proceedings and are entitled to fees and travel expenses on a scale set by the Governor (ss.25, 27). The Committee may also engage technical or local assessors and recommend their remuneration (s.31).\n\n### Who pays, who decides, and the behaviour the Act changes\n\n- Who pays: the government funds the Committee’s secretariat and the assessors (appointment and remuneration by Governor and Parliament) and meets witness fees and expenses set under the Governor’s scale (ss.7(1), 31(2), 27). The responsible Minister or public body must prepare and furnish authenticated plans, estimates and prescribed reports (s.16(3)), which creates a compliance cost for those agencies. \n- Who decides: the Governor refers works to the Committee (s.16(2)); the Committee investigates and reports (s.15); the Committee’s reports influence whether works can start (s.16(1), (4), (5)); Parliament can override the Committee by passing an Act or by resolution withdrawing a work from the Act (s.16(5), s.15(1)). Committee reports and recommendations must be approved by a majority of the whole Committee (s.5). The Committee’s Chair has a deliberative vote and ties are resolved in the negative (s.8).\n- Behaviour changes: public bodies proposing large works must prepare authenticated technical and cost documentation and expect public parliamentary scrutiny before starting large projects (s.16(3), s.15). Individuals and organisations may be required to appear and produce documents, and there are legal consequences for refusal (ss.14, 19–21, 23, 29–30). The Committee may inspect sites and call in technical assessors as part of its inquiries (ss.13, 31).\n\n### Discretion, compliance burden and implementation points to note\n\n- Discretion and procedure: the Governor controls referrals (s.16(2)), Ministers decide what material is “proper” to furnish with a referral (s.16(3)), and the Committee controls its own procedures within the Act (s.9). The Committee may sit in recess and across locations (s.9). These provisions concentrate procedural discretion in the Governor, the referring Minister and the Committee.\n\n- Compliance burden on agencies: preparing authenticated plans, cost and maintenance estimates, and prescribed reports (s.16(3)) imposes time and administrative costs on the responsible public bodies and can delay project starts until the Committee reports (s.16(1), (4)). If the Committee does not recommend a project, further parliamentary action (an Act) is required to proceed (s.16(5)), which can create legislative delay and cost.\n\n- Enforcement risk and individual obligations: the Act creates compulsory evidence powers (s.14), potential warrants for non‑attendance (s.19), and criminal penalties for non‑compliance (ss.20, 30). At the same time it preserves witness privileges and protections equivalent to Supreme Court witnesses (ss.25, 26).\n\n### Official purpose claims and trade‑offs\n\nThe Act frames the Committee’s role as informing Parliament about the expedience of proposed public works by examining purpose, necessity, revenue potential and public value (s.15(2)). Mechanically, that role imposes information and procedural obligations on government agencies and gives Parliament (via the Committee) a formal gatekeeping function for higher‑cost projects (s.16). The trade‑offs are concrete: more parliamentary scrutiny and time spent preparing certified documentation versus the administrative cost and potential delay to project commencement. The Act also creates executive and parliamentary decision points (Governor’s referral, Minister’s supporting material, Committee report, and Parliament’s ability to authorise notwithstanding an adverse report) that distribute authority across branches and stages (ss.16(2)–(5); s.15(1))."},"summary":{"complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"An Act originally passed in 1914 has almost certainly evolved significantly in scope through over a century of amendments. The most recent amendment in November 2023 suggests the legislation continues to be actively updated, likely expanding or refining the types of projects subject to committee scrutiny and modernising committee procedures well beyond what would have been contemplated in 1914."},"complexity_factors":["The Act dates from 1914 and has been amended multiple times over 110+ years, potentially creating layers of historical changes that are difficult to reconcile","Parliamentary committee law involves procedural and constitutional concepts that may be unfamiliar to laypeople","The limited text provided prevents full assessment — full complexity may be higher depending on threshold provisions, committee powers, and referral mechanisms","Interaction with broader Tasmanian parliamentary and public finance law adds interpretive complexity","Amended as recently as 2023, meaning there may be recent substantive changes layered onto very old base provisions"],"plain_english_summary":"## Public Works Committee Act 1914 (Tasmania)\n\nThis is a very old Tasmanian law (over 110 years old) that establishes a **Public Works Committee** — a formal oversight body made up of members of the Tasmanian Parliament.\n\n### What does it do?\nThe Act sets up a committee of parliamentarians whose job is to **review and scrutinise proposed government construction and infrastructure projects** (public works) before significant public money is spent on them. Think of it as a parliamentary watchdog for government building and infrastructure decisions.\n\n### Who does it affect?\n- **Tasmanian taxpayers** — indirectly, by ensuring government spending on buildings and infrastructure is independently scrutinised before being approved\n- **Government departments and agencies** proposing to build or develop infrastructure\n- **Members of Parliament** who sit on the committee and conduct reviews\n- **Businesses and contractors** who may be involved in proposed public works projects\n\n### Why does it matter?\nIt provides a democratic check on how the Tasmanian Government spends public money on physical infrastructure — roads, buildings, public facilities, and similar projects. Without this kind of oversight, governments could approve expensive projects without independent review.\n\n### Important note\nGiven the very limited text available in this extract, the full operational detail of the Act (such as spending thresholds that trigger a review, committee composition, and powers) is not visible here. The Act has been updated as recently as **November 2023**, meaning it remains active and relevant today."},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The original 1914 Act appears to have been a straightforward committee establishment. Over 110 years of amendments, the scope has expanded significantly: (1) monetary thresholds have been repeatedly increased and differentiated by work type ($8m vs $15m); (2) the definition of 'public work' has broadened to include decommissioning, demolition, and permanent closure of infrastructure, not just construction; (3) coverage has expanded from 'Government departments' to 'general government sector bodies' including State authorities; (4) modern accountability mechanisms like incorporation of the Parliamentary Privilege Act and links to the Treasurer's annual reporting framework have been added. The Act has evolved from a simple committee charter into a comprehensive infrastructure governance framework integrated with modern public financial management."},"complexity_factors":["Multiple defined terms in section 2 (5 key definitions including nested definitions for 'public work', 'building or construction works', and 'road or bridges works')","Cross-references to at least 6 other Acts (Roads and Jetties Act 1935, Vehicle and Traffic Act 1999, State Service Act 2000, Financial Management Act 2016, Public Works Construction Act 1880, Parliamentary Privilege Act 1858)","Monetary thresholds that differ by work type ($8m vs $15m) creating conditional application","Extensive amendment history visible in marginal notes (over 20 amending Acts referenced, though these don't affect operative complexity)","Transitional provision in section 32 preserving old law for pending matters","Conditional logic in section 16: work cannot commence unless referred, reported, and approved; with exception for works already authorised or withdrawn by parliamentary resolution"],"plain_english_summary":"This law creates a **Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works** — a group of MPs who act as the government's building inspectors for expensive taxpayer-funded projects.\n\n**What it does:**\n- **Sets up a watchdog committee** of 5 MPs (2 from the Legislative Council, 3 from the House of Assembly) who review major government construction projects before they start.\n- **Defines what gets scrutinised:** \"Public works\" means building/construction projects costing over **$8 million**, or road/bridge projects costing over **$15 million**.\n- **Creates a roadblock:** No big government building project can start until this committee has reviewed it and reported to Parliament. If the committee says no, the project needs a whole new Act of Parliament to proceed.\n- **Gives the committee teeth:** They can enter land, summon witnesses, demand documents, and even get arrest warrants for people who ignore summonses.\n\n**Who it affects:**\n- **Government departments and state authorities** planning expensive infrastructure\n- **Contractors and engineers** who might be called to give evidence\n- **Taxpayers**, who get oversight on how their money is spent on big projects\n\n**Why it matters:**\nThis is a **financial safeguard** dating back to 1914. It stops governments from quietly starting expensive, unnecessary, or poorly planned building projects. The committee must consider whether each project is necessary, whether it will generate revenue, and whether it offers value to the public. It's a rare example of Parliament having direct veto power over executive spending before the money is committed.\n\n**Key quirks:**\n- Ministers, the President of the Legislative Council, and the Speaker can't sit on the committee (keeping it independent of the executive)\n- The committee can sit during parliamentary recess and must keep its doors open to the public\n- Parliament can voluntarily refer smaller projects to the committee if they want extra scrutiny"},"issue_detection":{"absurdities":[{"type":"other","section":"Status Information / Currency of version","severity":"low","reasoning":"The metadata simultaneously asserts currency through to April 2026 while indicating no file modification since December 2023. While not strictly a legislative flaw, it undermines the reliability guarantee of the currency statement. The site also claims updates occur 'within 3 working days', which conflicts with a 2+ year gap between last modification and accessed date if any amendments occurred in that period.","confidence":0.55,"description":"The legislation states it is 'current from 27 November 2023 to date' and was 'accessed 3 April 2026 at 15:26', yet the file was 'last modified 4 December 2023'. This creates a temporal ambiguity: if the version is current 'to date' (April 2026) but was last modified in December 2023, it is unclear whether intervening amendments are captured or not."},{"type":"other","section":"Title / Header","severity":"low","reasoning":"Truncated titles in official legislative publication headers, while likely a rendering/formatting issue, technically create uncertainty about the authoritative short title of the Act. If a court or practitioner relied on this published version, the truncated form '191' could cause citation errors. This is a publishing absurdity rather than a substantive legislative flaw.","confidence":0.45,"description":"The Act title appears inconsistently as both 'Public Works Committee Act 1914' and 'Public Works Committee Act 191' (truncated) multiple times throughout the document headers, creating ambiguity about the authoritative title of the instrument."},{"type":"other","section":"Status Information - Update Policy","severity":"low","reasoning":"The assurance of currency within 3 working days is practically unverifiable by the end user without independent checking of the gazette or amending instruments. The currency statement therefore functions as a disclaimer rather than a guarantee, creating a logical tension between 'current' and 'usually updated'.","confidence":0.5,"description":"The metadata states legislation is 'usually updated within 3 working days after a change', but provides no mechanism or obligation to verify whether a change has occurred. A user accessing the site has no way to confirm whether the 'current' version actually reflects all amendments, making the currency guarantee self-undermining."}],"contradictions":[{"severity":"low","section_a":"Currency of version: 'current from 27 November 2023 to date (accessed 3 April 2026 at 15:26)'","section_b":"Authorisation: 'File last modified 4 December 2023'","confidence":0.6,"description":"The version is asserted to be current through to April 2026, yet the underlying file was last modified in December 2023. If any amendment to the Act occurred between December 2023 and April 2026, the 'current' designation would be false. If no amendment occurred, the currency statement is technically accurate but the file modification date creates an appearance of staleness inconsistent with the 3-working-day update promise."}]}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/public-works-committee-act-1914","history":"/api/acts/public-works-committee-act-1914/history","analysis":"/api/acts/public-works-committee-act-1914/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/public-works-committee-act-1914/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/public-works-committee-act-1914/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/public-works-committee-act-1914/documents"}}