Legislative Process
Legislative Process
This is the path that a bill takes through parliament to become enacted as a statute or law. This path includes:
- Introduction to Parliament
- First reading (Explanatory Memoranda/Explanatory Note becomes available)
- Second reading (Second reading speech)
- Committee stage (optional)
- Third reading
- Other house (in bicameral parliaments, or parliaments with two houses)
- Royal Assent - a bill becomes a statute
Check out the Office of Queensland Parliamentary Council's summary and detailed explanation of the legislative process in Queensland. The Parliament of Queensland has only one house.
The Parliament of Australia's Infosheet 7 on Making Laws is also worth reviewing.
Watch it!
How a law is made by parliament
A short animation to understand how laws are made in the state of Victoria, a parliament with two houses. This animation has been produced by the Parliament of Victoria.
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Task: Try it Yourself!
Question
At what stage of the parliamentary process does a bill become publicly available?
- First Reading
- Second Reading
- Consideration in Detail
- Third Reading
See Answer
A bill becomes publicly available at the first reading.
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