Commonwealth Law In Australia Essay

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About half of the total sitting time of the House is spent considering bills, that is, proposed laws. A new Commonwealth law can only be made, or an existing law changed or removed, by or under the authority of the federal Parliament, that is, by or in accordance with an Act of Parliament. Under Australia’s Constitution the federal Parliament can make laws only on certain matters. These include: international and interstate trade; foreign affairs; defence; immigration; taxation; banking; insurance; marriage and divorce; currency and weights and measures; post and telecommunications; and invalid and old age pensions. The Australian States retain legislative powers over many areas such as local government, roads, hospitals and schools.

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During the first reading the bill is introduced to the House of Representivatives when the House is dealing with government business. First the Clerk announces the next notice from the Notice Paper, and reads the short title of the bill, then a Minister stands and hands a signed copy of the bill to the Clerk together with an instructive message. The Clerk then stands and reads out the long title of the bill. This is known as its first reading. At the end of the Minister’s speech, debate on the bill is suspended and set down as an item of business for a future sitting. The purpose of this pause in proceedings is to give Members time to study the bill and its effects before speaking and voting on it. The second reading members debate is the discussion of the motion moved by the Minister. Its purpose is to consider the principles of the bill. The debate may cover, reasons why the bill should be supported or opposed, the necessity for its proposals or alternative means of achieving the same objectives. When the debate resumes an opposition Member outlines the Opposition’s position on the bill and Government and non-Government Members then usually speak in turn. At the end of the debate a vote is taken to decide the House’s view on the motion moved by the Minister. If this is agreed to the House has agreed to the bill in principle and the Clerk stands and reads out the bill to signify the completion of this
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