Passing Bills

[Danny]

There are 7 stages to passing a bill to make it an official law.

1. Introduction and First Reading
Reading of the title of the bill.
Bill is printed and receives a number.

2. Second reading
Debate and vote on the principle of the bill.

3. Committee Stage
Relevant parliamentary committee examines the bill.
Bill studied clause by clause.

4. Report Stage
Relevant parliamentary committee reports amended bill.
Amendments are considered and voted on.

5. Third Reading
Debate and vote on the amended version of the bill.

6. Bill sent to other chamber and same process repeated.

7. Royal Assent
Royal Assent is given by the Governor General or by one of his/her deputies.
The bill receives Royal Assent after being passed by both Houses.