Legislative process in the ACT—From a bill to an act
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Policy Development—Prior to the parliamentary process
Policy development can originate in a number of ways, including but not limited to:
- party policy and new policy ideas;
- election commitments;
- community pressure; and
- Council of Australian Governments (COAG) and inter-governmental agreements.
Legislation (Government and Private Members’ Bills)
- The party approves a policy position to allow for legislation to be developed.
- Instructions forwarded to the Parliamentary Counsel's Office to prepare a draft Bill.
- The party considers the draft and any changes are incorporated into a final Bill which is approved for tabling in Assembly.
Parliamentary Process
Presentation
- Minister/member presents the Bill along with an explanatory statement (all Bills) and Human Rights Act compatibility statement (only for Government Bills);
- Minister/member moves that ‘the Bill be agreed to in principle’, makes presentation speech; and
- debate is adjourned, Bill is automatically referred to the Standing Committee on Justice and Community Safety (Legislative Scrutiny role).
Agreement in principle
- In-principle debate on Bill resumes (any member can speak during the debate);
- the minister/member who presented the Bill closes the debate; and
- Bill is agreed to ‘in principle’.
Detail stage
- Bill considered in detail including clauses, schedules and title; and
- amendments moved and considered.
Agreement/Negatived
- final question, no debate allowed – ‘that this Bill be agreed to’ or ‘this Bill, as amended, be agreed to’.
A Bill to an Act—After the parliamentary process
- The Act is prepared and certified by the Clerk as a ‘true copy’ as passed in the Legislative Assembly for the ACT.
Sent to Parliamentary Counsel's Office by the Speaker with a letter asking that it be notified on the ACT Legislation Register.