Legislative process

A Bill is examined by both Houses before it can complete the ordinary parliamentary route to enactment.

1. First Reading. Formal introduction of the Bill.
2. Second Reading. Debate on the Bill’s general principles.
3. Committee stage. Detailed examination and amendment.
4. Report stage. Further consideration and amendment by the House.
5. Third Reading. Final consideration in that House.
6. Other House. The Bill goes through the corresponding stages in the second House.
7. Consideration of amendments. The Houses resolve differences in the text.
8. Assent. The constitutional Assent process completes enactment.

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