Legislative Process

Question 1

Green Paper

Answer 1

consultation paper, suggests ideas, invites relevant parties

Question 2

White Paper

Answer 2

state’s governments firm proposal

Question 3

Draft Bill

Answer 3

Enables consultation and pre-legislative scrutiny

Question 4

Public Bills

Answer 4

Affects whole country, put forward by Government

Question 5

Private Bills

Answer 5

Affects individuals/companies, put forward by government

Question 6

Private Member Bills

Answer 6

Put forward by individual MP

Question 7

Entire Legislative Process

Answer 7

1st reading, 2nd reading, committee, report, 3rd reading, HOL, royal assent, commencement

Question 8

What happens in First Reading?

Answer 8

Name read out
No discussion

Question 9

What happens in second reading?

Answer 9

The minister responsible for the bill explains its purpose and opposition responds
Vote to continue

Question 10

What happens in Committee Stage?

Answer 10

Bill is examined clause by clause
A standing committee is set up with knowledge/interests of the area

Question 11

What happens in Report Stage?

Answer 11

Amendments are reported back to Parliament who can accept, reject or add more

Question 12

What happens in Third Reading?

Answer 12

There is a final vote, unlikely to fail
No changes made except for Spelling and Grammar

Question 13

What happens in HOL stage?

Answer 13

The same process, amendments made and returned to HOC (ping-pong), however they can be bypassed because HOC are the elected body

Question 14

What happens during Royal Assent stage?

Answer 14

The monarch signs off the bill
Purely a formality

Question 15

What happens at the commencement stage?

Answer 15

Happens at midnight of day of royal assent, the bill officially becomes law