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

2. 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

3. 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 © Oxford University Press Australia, 2015

4. 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 © Oxford University Press Australia, 2015

6. 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 © Oxford University Press Australia, 2015