TAS Emergency Declaration Powers and Reporting Obligations for the Emergency Management Minister

Public Health Amendment (Emergency Powers) Bill 2026

2 Sep 2026: MPs in the first house are debating whether this bill is a good idea in principle.

House of Assembly

Legislative Council

Assent

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Topics

administrative oversight emergency management emergency powers government accountability public health

Introduced by: The Hon Bridget Archer MP (LIB)

Links to official parliament websites

Official page: progress through parliament

Effects of this bill

If this bill passes, it means that:

The Emergency Management Minister takes over the power to make, extend or revoke emergency declarations from the Director.
Time limits specifically relating to COVID-19 disease are removed.
Authorised or nominated public health officers can only use their powers if they have a certificate of authority.
The Director or a council must issue these certificates; they must list the officer's powers and the expiry date.
The Emergency Management Minister must prepare a report explaining the reasons for any emergency declaration action.
The Emergency Management Minister must table this report in Parliament within 3 sitting-days; otherwise, it must be given to the Clerk and published online within 14 days.
The Director must publish directions and the reasons for them on a government website and in the Gazette.