6- Law Making in Parliament

Question 1

What is a statute?

Answer 1

An Act of Parliament, a bill that has been passed through the legislative procedure

Question 2

What are the functions of parliament?

Answer 2

1. Initiating, debating and approving changes to statute law
2. Appointing and dismissing the executive
3. Approving expenditure by the executive
4. Representing the interests of individual citizens
5. Provide a forum for political debate
6. Acting as a court to judge anyone who breaches parliaments own rules
7. Providing a focus for the political socialisation for all citizens

Question 3

For legislation to be legitimate, it must…

Answer 3

1. Allow for wide-ranging input from outside and inside parliament
2. Be part of the mandate of a popularly elected government
3. Be subject to effective scrutiny

Question 4

What is delegated legislation?

Answer 4

The authority to make rules given to an institution by the government

Question 5

Name some sources of legislative ideas

Answer 5

Government party policy
Pressure group activity
Review by law reform groups
Individual parliamentarians
Parliamentary committees
Court decisions that reveal anomalies in the law

Question 6

Who carries out drafting

Answer 6

Office of the Parliamentary Counsel

Question 7

Who represents the Queen in Australia?

Answer 7

Governor General

Question 8

What house the legislative assembly in?

Answer 8

Lower house

Question 9

What house the legislative counsel in?

Answer 9

Upper house

Question 10

What is the process that takes place when a bill is travelling through parliament

Answer 10

1. Notice of motion
2. First reading
3. Second reading
4. Consideration in detail
5. Third reading
6. Transmission to the other house
7. Royal assent and proclamation

Question 11

What is a private members bill?

Answer 11

Bill put forward by someone other than the executive (like opposition and backbenchers)

Question 12

What are standing orders?

Answer 12

Rules of parliament that must be followed

Question 13

Who enforces standing orders?

Answer 13

Presiding Officers

Question 14

What are the roles of committees in Parliament?

Answer 14

1. Maintaining the operation of services like the library
2. Overseeing procedures of parliament and supervising parliamentary privilege
3. Scrutinizing legislation
4. Scrutinizing executive expenditure
5. Investigating general policy

Question 15

What are some important procedures of parliament?

Answer 15

1. Question time
2. Ministerial statements
3. Matters of public importance
4. Motions by any members
5. Presentations of petitions
6. notices of censure and motions of no confidence
7. budget scrutiny and reports of committee’s
8. Recurring debate