Making and changing laws

Understand how laws are made and changed in Queensland.

In short

The process for making a law depends on the type of Bill introduced, who introduced it and whether the Bill is urgent. It must pass through a series of steps to become a law.

Types of Bills

A Bill is a proposal for a law—either a new law or a change to an existing law—placed before the Parliament for its consideration.

There are two types of Bill:

• Government Bill
• Private Members' Bill.

Most bills are government Bills which ministers are responsible for introducing to Parliament.

Individual Members of Parliament (MPs) can also introduce Bills, which are known as Private Members' Bills.

Developing a government Bill

Before a government Bill is introduced in Parliament it needs to:

• be initiated and progressed by a minister
• have Cabinet authority to be drafted
• be approved by Cabinet.

Parlimentary process for the passing of a Bill

A bill must pass through 7 stages in Parliament before it can become a law.

1. Presentation and first reading
   The minister presents the Bill to the House and then nominates a parliamentary committee to examine the Bill. The minister delivers a speech, known as the Explanatory Speech, providing an overview of the Bill. The short title of the Bill is read a first time.
2. Committee consideration
   The nominated committee considers the Bill. Ordinarily, government Bills are considered within 6 to 8 weeks unless the Bill is declared urgent. At the end of the inquiry, the committee prepares a report on the Bill.
3. Committee report
   The committee tables the report on its inquiry into the Bill and the Bill is placed on the Notice Paper for the second reading debate.
4. Second reading
   The minister reads the Bill a second time. The minister then has an opportunity to speak to the Bill and also to the committee report. Generally, the Shadow minister then responds. The second reading debate continues with contributions from government and non-government members. The minister concludes the second reading debate through a speech in reply.
5. Consideration-in-detail
   Once second reading of the Bill concludes, the Legislative Assembly debates the clauses of the bill. Amendments may be moved at this time. The Speaker or Deputy Speaker usually presides from the Table of the House.
6. Third reading
   The Clerk reads the short title for a third and final time. The long title of the Bill is agreed to.
7. Royal assent
   Two copies of the Bill are presented to the Governor by the Clerk of the Parliament for Royal Assent. Upon assent, the bill becomes an Act of Parliament, and the Act becomes law.

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The Queensland Parliament and the legislative process