Passing a Bill (Federal)

1. Passing a Bill (Federal) By Armaan Amir 6B

2. Cabinet The cabinet is where the bill is proposed. The bill is proposed by a minister or Member of Parliament. When the bill is chosen, they will go on with the next step. The next step, ‘the first reading,’ is done in the Lower House/House of Representatives.

3. First Reading The first reading is when the minister or Member of Parliament reads out the bill and explains very thoroughly what they want to do. The minister gives a long speech and then they stop for a week or twoto let the opposition think about it and see if they want to go on with the bill.

4. Second Reading If the opposition decides they want to go on the bill, it goes on to the next step, second reading. When it gets to the second reading, the bill is public so any one can see it. The bill is read again and there is a debate. The speaker will keep the debate in control and say who can talk.

5. Third Reading The third reading is when they change the bill according to the debate in the second reading. Then they approve that everyone approves of the bill. After everyone approves, the bill will be sent to the Senate.

6. The Senate In the Senate, they do the whole process again and if they read the bill during the first reading and don’t approve of it, it is sent back to the House of Representatives and it all starts again. After the second and third reading, it is still not a law. The bill is sent to the Governor-General and the Governor-General puts the royal assent, it may have to start again all the way to the House of Representatives if the Governor-General doesn’t give it the royal assent. Once the royal assent is put on the bill, it is known as a law. Sometimes, it needs to be put in public and then it will be an official law.