Making a law in Australia

a legal decision that serves as an example or pattern in future similar cases.

• Common law

• Judgement

• Statute

• Precedent

Laws that are made based on custom or court decision that apply to the whole state or nation

• Common law

• Statute law

• Precedent

• Judgement

Laws that are made through parliaments

• Common law

• Judgements

• Statutes

• Precedents

A legislature that has two separate houses or assemblies

• Parliament

• Bicameral

• Congress

• Duma

A proposed new law (or proposed change to existing law)

• Precedent

• Statute law

• A Bill

• An Act

Also known as the lower house, 150 members – this is where the Government is formed; main role is to introduce bills and law making.

• House of Representatives

• Senate

• Legislative Council

• Legislative Assembly

Also known as the upper house (76 members) sometimes called the house of review – scrutinises (looks at closely) the actions and decisions of the government.

• Legislative Council

• Supreme Court

• House of Representatives

• Senate

A person who represents the Queen – all Bills have to have approval (get signed) from the Queen (via this person) to become a new law.

• Prime Minister

• Governor General

• Prince / Princess

• Knights

The first step in legislating when a bill is introduced to Parliament

• Consideration in detail

• Minister's speech

• Voting

• First Reading

Members of parliament vote on a bill

• Second Reading

• Consideration in detail

• Third Reading

• Transfer to the Senate