Unit 3 Legal Studies

 Government Bills Introduced by Minister on behalf of Government E.g. Health Minster – bill relating to health issues  Appropriation Bills Money Bills or Supply Bills Govt Bill – Authorising govt to spend money it collects through tax  Private Bills Introduced by government and only applies to one person or group E.g. Gary David Webb – Community Protection Act  Private Members Bill Introduced by member of parliament not part of government Often controversial – abortion or euthanasia usually don’t have backing of parliament

 Individuals can express views to members of Parliament  Media  Signing petitions  Writing to editors of newspapers  Joining pressure groups  Demonstrations  Parliamentary committees  Government Departments  Changes in values, technology, environemental conditions

Q 1. Why do Parliamentary Committees exist? (page 38) Key points  Time  Detailed public enquires  Witnesses  Promote public awareness  Debate  Ascertain needs of the people

 Joint Committees Made up from members of both houses Longstanding E.g. Law Reform Committee – Juries Act 2000  Standing Committees Appointed for the life of the Parliament Ongoing checks on govt activity E.g. Privileges Committee  Select committees Appointed for specific purpose E.g. Select Committee for Gaming Licenses

Q2 What do Law Reform Committees do? (page 38)  Investigate  Public Hearings  Report to parliament  Recommendations E.g. Victorian Law Reform Committee Expertise – sexual offenses, defences, family violence

(page 39) Key Points Decide which laws need to change Extensive resources Influential – government hold majority on upper house Q3 What happens if a minister is not a member of cabinet and wants to introduce a bill? (page 39) Q4 What is a statement of compatibility? (page 39)

 Parliamentary Draftsperson  Q5 What is their role?  Q6 Where do they get their instructions?  Q7 What things are considered?  Q8 How do they work out the intention of the bill?  Q9 Once drafting the bill who do they send it to?  Q10 After the department and the minister has agreed to it, what happens next? (page 40)

(page 41) Q11 What difficulties may be experienced by parliamentary counsel? Key words  Future circumstances  Meaning of words  Loopholes and omissions  Different situations  Technical terms  Conflict and existing legislation  Time constraints

FEDERAL LEVEL House of Reps – may refer bill to standing committee that specialises in that subject area. Senate – Selection of Bills Committee decides which bill should be sent to Senate Committee

Role (page 41) Q12 What is the role of the Senate Scrutiny of Bills Committee Q13 What are the advantages of referring bills to the Committee?

Q14 What is the role of this committee? (page 42) Q15 When does discussion in detail occur?

Q16 What is the role of this committee? (page 42) Q17 What is a compatibility statement?

 READ pages 43 to 48 Create an A3 poster detailing timeline about the stages a bill goes through before it becomes law. (provide details about each stage and its significance in the process)

 Complete questions 16 to 22 pages 52 to 53 Due Friday