Commencement
Commencement
The commencement date, which is also known as the 'date of operation', is the date upon which a particular piece of legislation comes into force. The commencement date may be:
- retrospective (in the past)
- upon receiving Royal Assent from the Govenor or Governor-General
- at a proclaimed date (in the future)
- in relation to another piece of legislation
- the default date of 28 days after receiving Royal Assent
Sometimes different sections of an Act can commence at different times.
Commencement dates are published in the Government Gazette and also appear in the Notes sections of Reprinted Acts.
Watch it!
Understanding Royal Assent
A bill must receive Royal Assent prior to it commencing as an enforcable law.
This video has been made available by the Parliament of Victoria.
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Task: Try it Yourself!
Question
On what date did the Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative) Act 2011 (Cth) receive Royal Assent?
See Answer
15 September 2011.
Refer to the 'Notes' section of the current compilation of the Act. Within the 'Table of Acts' the commencement date is listed.
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