6.15 Parliamentary scrutiny

Under the Parliament of Queensland Act 2001, section 93, a portfolio committee examines subordinate legislation in its portfolio area and considers:

• the policy to be given effect by the legislation
• the application of fundamental legislative principles
• the lawfulness of the legislation and
• compliance with requirements to prepare explanatory notes and guidelines approved by the Treasurer about regulatory impact statements.

A portfolio committee approaches its responsibilities to subordinate legislation in much the same way as it does with Bills, with one notable exception: the committee can directly oppose an objectionable provision in subordinate legislation by asking the Legislative Assembly to support a motion to disallow the provision under the Statutory Instruments Act 1992, section 50.