Why is each of stage of the passage of a bill through Parliament so important?

Each stage of the law-making process is important to make sure there is time to examine and hear different perspectives on potential laws for Australia. 

A bill – a proposed law – needs to be approved by a majority in the House of Representatives, a majority in the Senate, and then given Royal Assent. There are several stages (called readings) that a bill must go through in both houses. At these different stages, members of parliament can do different things:

• The first reading is how a bill is introduced to the Senate or the House of Representatives.
• During the second reading debate, senators and members discuss the general principles of the bill, explain why they support or oppose the bill, or suggest changes. A vote then takes place to see if the majority agree that the bill should proceed.
• Senators and members have the option of researching a bill through the committee process. They can learn more about a bill by giving the public a chance to share their knowledge and opinions about the bill.
• Committee of the Whole in the Senate and Consideration in Detail in the House of Representatives allow members of parliament to propose and debate changes to the bill, then vote on those changes.
• The third reading vote is to decide whether the bill in its final form (which may have been changed) should be agreed to or not. That is, whether or not this bill would make a good law for Australia.

The law-making process lets members of parliament discuss and closely examine a bill. This way, different perspectives are heard and considered. This process also means that if everyone agrees, a decision can be made quickly. If not, there can be more discussion before deciding.