What does it mean when members say "I move that this bill now be read a second time?"
To become a law, a bill – a proposed law – passes through several stages in Parliament. When a member of parliament says ‘I move that this bill now be read a second time’, they are asking for the bill to progress towards becoming a law.
Before debate on the bill begins, the member or senator (usually a minister responsible for the bill) moves a motion – asks – that it be read a second time. Then, during the second reading debate, members of parliament discuss the principle or main idea of the bill and can explain why they support or oppose the bill.
After the debate, a vote on whether the bill should be read a second time takes place. If the vote passes, it signals that senators or members agree with the main idea of the bill and the Clerk reads out the title of the bill.
The bill can then progress through the next stages, including discussion of amendments – changes – to the bill.
To pass through the Senate or House of Representatives, the title of the bill must be read out 3 times by the Clerk. Each time the Clerk reads the title of the bill it signals the bill has passed a different stage. The first reading introduces the bill and the third reading indicates that the House or Senate has agreed to the bill.
The usual path of a bill
Parliamentary Education Office (peo.gov.au)
The usual path of a bill
Parliamentary Education Office (peo.gov.au)
Description
The usual path of a bill through the Australian Parliament to become Australian law.
In the House of Representatives a bill goes through the following stages:
- 1st reading – the bill is introduced to the House of Representatives
- 2nd reading – members debate and vote on the main idea of the bill
- House committee (optional stage) – public inquiry into the bill and reporting back to the House
- Consideration in detail (optional stage) – members discuss the bill in detail, including any changes to the bill
- 3rd reading – members vote on the bill in its final form
- the bill is passed in the House of Representatives and sent to the Senate.
Senate referral – the Senate may refer the text of the bill to a Senate committee for inquiry (this can happen while the bill is in the House).
In the Senate a bill goes through the following stages:
- 1st reading – the bill is introduced to the Senate
- 2nd reading – senators debate and vote on the main idea of the bill
- Senate committee (optional stage) – public inquiry into the bill and reporting back to the Senate
- Committee of the whole (optional stage) – senators discuss the bill in detail, including any changes to the bill
- 3rd reading – senators vote on the bill in its final form
- the bill is passed in the Senate.
The bill is given Royal Assent – The Governor-General signs the bill.
The bill becomes an Act of Parliament – a law for Australia.
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