VPRS 2599 Original Papers Tabled in the Legislative Council

Full description

This series comprises the original documents tabled in the Legislative Council. Original papers tabled include reports, petitions, returns, messages, division lists, evidence and estimates. Also included are annual reports of Departments of State or Public Bodies required to submit their reports under the Financial Management Act 1994 (Vic) and previous legislation, as well as the reports of other public bodies required under specific Acts to table their reports. Originals of both published and unpublished papers are included in this series.

Other papers tabled include ministerial papers and Parliamentary Committee reports.

Division Lists
Division Lists record the results of votes taken in the Council. When a question is before the chair in the Council (either on a Bill or other matter) a vote is called to decide the issue. This is called a Division in the House. Two sheets of paper record the Ayes and the Noes separately (with the names of the members and how they voted). If a matter is subsequently called into question before a Court these Divisions provide the legal authority. There can also be "Divisions in Committee of the Whole". These occur when the Council is formed into a committee in order to discuss or consider a Bill. The Chair Person leaves the chair and is replaced by the Chair of Committees. When a vote is called the Ayes and Noes are recorded in the same way as above.

Petitions
Petitions from the public, etc. are often tabled in the Council. In order to be eligible the petition must be addressed correctly, cannot be for money and must include a grievance (summary of the problem) and an action (what the Parliament should do to fix the problem). Petitions were, for a time, also required to end in a prayer. The subject matter can vary widely but it must be within the power of the Parliament to grant the request otherwise they are not valid.

Ministerial Papers
Ministers are allowed to table documents relating to any issue or subject provided they have the permission of the Council to do so.

Committee Reports
Reports of Parliamentary Committees are tabled either on completion or as interim reports. Records created by Committees and not tabled in the Assembly can be located in the series titled "Committee Records". Each Committee has its own record series.