Passage of Bill Through Australian Parliament
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Proposed law (called a Bill) is drafted
Drafting process: After significant consultation, the Gvt will usually require the approval of Cabinet (Senior Ministers) before getting the Gvt lawyers (Office of Parliamentary Counsel) to draft the Bill.
Then the Minister responsible gives notice of motion (notice that they will present the Bill in Parliament).
Can introduced as/by: • Government Bill; or o may cover any policy area over which the Commonwealth has jurisdiction (ie generally s51 Const. matters). • Private Members/Senators Bill; or o Ie Smoking and Tobacco Products Advertisements (Prohibition) Act 1989 banning cigarette advertising was a private senators Bill.
Passage of a Bill through Parliament
The Bill may be an entirely new law, or be amending or repealing old laws.
Bill introduced into House of Representatives
Debate – amend – agree Gives Notice: Minsiter gives notice of the intended introduction of the Bill. First reading – Minister reads name aloud, circulates ccopies of the Bill to MPs along with an Explanatory Memorandum explaining purpose of the Bill (this can be very useful reference). Second Reading: After the first reading speech the Minister will usually immediately ‘read the bill’ for a second time. They give a speech about the bill giving additional details of the purpose of the Bill. A date is set down for future debate in the House on the Bill which will be recorded on Hansard (this can be useful reference when interpreting legislation). • Second reading debate - the major policy debate on the bill.
Third reading: (if required) Agreement confirmed by a third and final reading. Formality stage.
Most Bills start in Hse of Reps. Must be passed through both houses in identical form.
Bills may also be referred by either House to their specialised standing or select committees.
Double Dissolution: If the House of Reps passes the Bill twice, and the
Proposed law (called a Bill) is drafted
Drafting process: After significant consultation, the Gvt will usually require the approval of Cabinet (Senior Ministers) before getting the Gvt lawyers (Office of Parliamentary Counsel) to draft the Bill.
Then the Minister responsible gives notice of motion (notice that they will present the Bill in Parliament).
Can introduced as/by: • Government Bill; or o may cover any policy area over which the Commonwealth has jurisdiction (ie generally s51 Const. matters). • Private Members/Senators Bill; or o Ie Smoking and Tobacco Products Advertisements (Prohibition) Act 1989 banning cigarette advertising was a private senators Bill.
Passage of a Bill through Parliament
The Bill may be an entirely new law, or be amending or repealing old laws.
Bill introduced into House of Representatives
Debate – amend – agree Gives Notice: Minsiter gives notice of the intended introduction of the Bill. First reading – Minister reads name aloud, circulates ccopies of the Bill to MPs along with an Explanatory Memorandum explaining purpose of the Bill (this can be very useful reference). Second Reading: After the first reading speech the Minister will usually immediately ‘read the bill’ for a second time. They give a speech about the bill giving additional details of the purpose of the Bill. A date is set down for future debate in the House on the Bill which will be recorded on Hansard (this can be useful reference when interpreting legislation). • Second reading debate - the major policy debate on the bill.
Third reading: (if required) Agreement confirmed by a third and final reading. Formality stage.
Most Bills start in Hse of Reps. Must be passed through both houses in identical form.
Bills may also be referred by either House to their specialised standing or select committees.
Double Dissolution: If the House of Reps passes the Bill twice, and the