How a Bill Becomes Law

How a Bill Becomes Law

A Bill is an act of Parliament in draft, and no Bill can become law until it is approved by the Houses of Parliament and receives the formal assent of the Governor-General.

Bills may be introduced in either the House of Representatives or the Senate, but no Bill involving finance can be first introduced in the Senate.

“Public Bills”, designed to give effect to Government policy, are introduced by Ministers or other officers of the Government. “Private Members’ Bills” are introduced by any other member of the House, whether of the governing party or the Opposition.

After a Bill has been introduced in the House it must pass through several stages, known as “readings”.

First Reading

At “first reading” no debate on the Bill is allowed. The “short title” of the Bill is read by the Clerk of the House, the Bill is ordered to be printed and a day is appointed by the member in charge of the Bill for second reading.

Second Reading

The Bill is debated fully at the “second reading”. At the end of the debate a vote is taken.

Committee Stage

If the Bill passes its second reading it moves on to the “committee stage”. This committee comprises the whole House unless the House refers the Bill to a “Select Committee”. At this point, the Bill is considered in very close detail. Every clause is carefully examined, and amendments to the Bill may then be moved and voted upon.

A Bill may not be rejected during the committee stage, as this power is reserved for the House.

Report Stage

After the committee stage, there is the “report stage”, when the Speaker reports what has happened to the Bill in committee, whether there have been amendments or not.

Third Reading

No amendments of a substantial nature may be made at the “third reading”;