The Basic Law is the constitutional document of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region which provides for, among other things, the functions and powers of the Legislative Council.
Under Section 12 of the Ordinance, the Director of Audit is required to submit an audit report each year to the President of the Legislative Council. The report is considered by the Public Accounts Committee of the Legislative Council to ensure financial accountability of the Government to the Legislative Council.
Members are required to furnish the Clerk to the Legislative Council with the particulars of their registrable interests. The main purpose is to provide information of any
pecuniary interest or other material benefit which a Member receives, and such information might reasonably be thought by others to influence a Member's actions, speeches or votes in the Legislative Council, as well as actions taken in the capacity as a Member of the Council.
Registrable interests include, among other things, remunerated directorships of public or private companies, and if the company concerned is a subsidiary of another company within the meaning of section 2(4) of the Companies Ordinance (Cap. 32), also the name of that other company.
Sections 54B and 246B of the Ordinance provide that copyright is not infringed by anything done for the purposes of -
(a)
the proceedings of the Legislative Council;
(b)
the exercise and discharge by the Legislative Council of its powers and functions, anything done by or on behalf of the members of the Legislative Council or The Legislative Council Commission; or
(c)
reporting the proceedings of the Legislative Council.
The Ordinance provides that it is a defence in any civil or criminal proceedings regarding the publication by the defendant or by his servant of any report of the Legislative Council if the report was published by order or under the authority of the Legislative Council.
The Ordinance provides for the establishment of the Electoral Affairs Commission for the purpose of regulating the procedure, and the provision of financial assistance to candidates under the Legislative Council Ordinance (Cap. 542) and the District Council Ordinance (Cap. 547).
The Ordinance also contains electoral provisions relating to elections of the Legislative Council.
The Ordinance prohibits corrupt and illegal conduct at elections; regulates electoral advertising; and imposes requirements with respect to the receipt of donations and the expenditure of money at or in connection with elections. The Ordinance also applies to elections of the Legislative Council.
Section 7A of the Ordinance provides that the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region shall obtain the endorsement of the Legislative Council for the appointment or removal of the judges of the Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal.
The Ordinance provides for the establishment of The Legislative Council Commission, which provides, among other things, administrative support to the Legislative Council and supervises the operation of the Legislative Council Secretariat.
The Ordinance provides for the constitution, convening and dissolution of the Legislative Council, as well as the election of Members of the Legislative Council.
The Ordinance declares and defines certain powers, privileges and immunities of the Legislative Council, its Members and officers, the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and public officers designated by him in relation to attendance at sittings of the Legislative Council and its committees.
The Ordinance also secures freedom of speech in the Legislative Council, regulates admittance to and conduct within the precincts of the Chamber of the Legislative Council, provides for the giving of evidence in proceedings before the Legislative Council or committees thereof, and for offences in respect of such proceedings.
The Ordinance provides for the control and management of public finances in Hong Kong. Under Article 73 of the Basic Law, government budgets, taxation and public expenditure require the approval of the Legislative Council.
If a bill whereby any tax, duty, etc, will be imposed, removed or altered, the Ordinance empowers the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region to make orders giving full force and effect of law to the provisions of the bill until, for example, the bill is either approved or rejected by the Legislative Council, or other circumstances stipulated by the Ordinance.