Law-making through parliament Chapter 2 - Part 3 Legislative Process of a Bill Through Parliament

Overview The reasons why laws may need to change The means by which individuals and groups influence legislative change (including use of contemporary examples) The role of the Victorian Law Reform Commission The legislative process for the progress of a Bill through parliament Strengths and weaknesses of parliament as a law-making body

Legislative process of a Bill through parliament Before it gets to parliament, there has to be a need for a change in the law or policy-making that requires new laws Government departments can investigate and review laws Cabinet ministers decide which laws need to be changed Ministers who are not cabinet ministers can contact the cabinet if they have a proposal for a new or changed law Parliamentary committees can investigate areas of law Parliamentary counsel then drafts the legislation (known as a Bill) Problems can arise; for example, poor communication between the minister/department and parliamentary counsel, mistakes made in drafting, inconsistencies in words used in the Bill etc. Justice & Outcomes 13e ISBN 9780195594201 © Oxford University Press Australia, 2015

Legislative process of a Bill through parliament Before the introduction of legislation (known as a Bill) through parliament there must be a: Need for a new law or change in an existing law Decision by Cabinet to introduce a Bill into parliament (alternatively, a private member’s Bill) Drafting of the legislation by parliamentary counsel Scrutiny of Bills Most Bills are introduced into the lower house Appropriation Bills (money or supply Bills) must be introduced into the lower house Justice & Outcomes 13e ISBN 9780195594201 © Oxford University Press Australia, 2015

Legislative Process of a Bill Through Parliament Learning Activity 2.6 Question 7 (a, b and c) Learning Activity 2.8 Questions 1-11 Justice & Outcomes 13e ISBN 9780195594201 © Oxford University Press Australia, 2015