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:Note: This article is about the Legislative Assemblies in the British context. For other usages, see the end of this article.
A Legislative Assembly in British constitutional thought is the second-to-top or third-to-top tier of a government led by a Governor-General, Governor or a Lieutenant-Governor, inferior to an Executive Council and equal to or inferior to a Legislative Council. Though the Legislative Council should in theory operate as a legislature of a governorate (not necessarily a colony) with elected members, the separate developement of governments in the British Empire and Commonwealth has seen the Councils evolve.
Politicians elected to a Legislative Assembly are usually referred to as a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA). In the Canadian province of Ontario, however, they are referred to a Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP), a historical holdover from when that province's Legislative Assembly was known as the Provincial Parliament.
1 Where the Legislative Assembly functions purely as a legislature
- Australia: Queensland, Northern Territory and Australian Capital Territory.
- Canada: all provinces and territories except Quebec ( National Assembly), Nova Scotia ( House of AssemblyHouse of Assembly is a name given to the legislature or lower house of a bicameral legislature, in some countries, often at subnational level. Historically, the House of Assembly in British crown colonies superseded the (usually unelected) Legislative Cou), and Newfoundland and LabradorNewfoundland and Labrador ( In Detail) ( In Detail) Motto: Quaerite Primum Regnum Dei (Seek ye first the kingdom of God Capital St. John's Largest City St. John's Provincial Anthem Ode to Newfoundland Area Total % fresh water 10th largest(7th lgst prov. ( House of AssemblyHouse of Assembly is a name given to the legislature or lower house of a bicameral legislature, in some countries, often at subnational level. Historically, the House of Assembly in British crown colonies superseded the (usually unelected) Legislative Cou).
- Northern IrelandThe Northern Ireland Assembly is a 108-member legislative body for Northern Ireland that sits at Stormont with powers devolved to it from the Westminster parliament. It is created as a power sharing body, so that every party is represented in the executiv
- Norfolk IslandNorfolk Island is an island in the Pacific Ocean located between Australia, New Zealand and New Caledonia, and is one of Australia's external territories. The island is 34 kmē. The Norfolk Island pine, also pictured in the flag, is a very striking evergre
2 Where the Legislative Assembly has assumed extra functions
Usually in this case the Legislative Assembly functioned as an Lower House or first chamber of a bicameral legislature operating under the Westminster SystemThe Westminster System is a democratic system of government modelled after that of the United Kingdom system of government and used in Westminster, the seat of government, hence its name. It is used in a number of Commonwealth nations such as Canada, Aust. The superior chamber or Upper House is sometimes the Legislative Council. This development is often seen when the governorates gain more responsible government.
- Australia: New South WalesNew South Wales NSW is Australia's most populous and oldest state, located in the southeast, north of Victoria. It was founded in 1788 and originally comprised much of the Australian mainland. During the 19th century large areas were successively separate, Victoria and Western Australia. South Australia and Tasmania call the lower house the House of Assembly.
