legislative process

Question 1

what is statue law?

Answer 1

law made by parliament - also known as legislation or acts of parliament

Question 2

why is statute law more significant than common law?

Answer 2

• most common method of making law
• overrides common law
• less limitations than common law

Question 3

what are the steps of legislation?

Answer 3

1. social demand for change
2. first reading
3. second reading
4. committee stage
5. third reading
6. repeat steps 2-5 in senate
7. royal assent

Question 4

explain the step of social demand for change in legislating?

Answer 4

• public opinon influences government policies
• pressure or lobby groups may persuade parliament to amend laws or bills

Question 5

explain the step of first reading in legislating?

Answer 5

• the member of parliament who proposes the bill states: “I move that this bill be read a first time”
• no further discussion after this process

Question 6

explain the step of second reading in legislating?

Answer 6

• detailed discussion of the bill
• the MP who proposed the bill explains the benefit to society
• other members may oppose the bill/seek amendments
• all speeches and debates are officially recorded

Question 7

explain the step of committee stage in legislating?

Answer 7

• detailed examination of every section of the bill
• wording checked to avoid misinterpretation and ambiguity
• bill is debated by all members of parliament
• the speaker asks the parliament to accept the report of the committee
• if accepted, the bill goes to the next stage

Question 8

explain the step of third reading in legislating?

Answer 8

• if majority of members vote in favour of the bill it will be considered passed
• the same steps so far are repeated in the senate

Question 9

explain the step of royal assent in legislating?

Answer 9

• bill is signed by governor-general
• once signed, it becomes an act of parliament