3.0 The drafting process

This chapter considers the drafting process from the perspective of OQPC's involvement.

OQPC may be involved in the drafting process before approval of an Authority to Prepare a Bill submission is obtained from Cabinet, or other appropriate authority is obtained. However, formally the drafting process starts when there is Cabinet Authority to Prepare a Bill approval, or other appropriate authority, and drafting instructions are sent to OQPC. Identifiable aspects of this process include the roles of the instructing officer and drafter. If there are well prepared drafting instructions, the drafting process proceeds smoothly within the shortest possible time frame. After the drafting is completed, an Authority to Introduce a Bill submission should be lodged.

This chapter considers the drafting process at the following stages:

• before the Cabinet Authority to Prepare a Bill submission
• after the Cabinet Authority to Prepare a Bill approval is obtained
• preparation of drafts, including the roles of the instructing officer and the drafter and the importance of effective drafting instructions
• obtaining the Cabinet Authority to Introduce a Bill approval.

In carrying out its statutory role, OQPC's duty in relation to government legislation is to the government as a whole and not simply to individual Ministers, departments or members. (See The Queensland Cabinet Handbook.) Further, because OQPC is attached to the Department of the Premier and Cabinet, OQPC reports to the Premier.

• 3.1 OQPC's involvement before Authority to Prepare a Bill approval
• 3.2 Authority to Prepare a Bill approval
• 3.3 Drafting process
• 3.4 Role of instructing officer in providing effective drafting instructions
• 3.5 Role of drafter
• 3.6 Authority to Introduce a Bill approval
• 3.7 Other relevant matters

Last reviewed: 17 July, 2009

Last updated: 22 July, 2009

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