7.6 Initiation, first reading and printing

Section 22(1) of the Legislative Standards Act 1992 requires that Explanatory Notes accompany every Bill introduced by a Minister. That section also provides that the Minister tables the Explanatory Notes at the time the Bill is introduced to the Legislative Assembly. Departmental officers should liaise with GOPRINT (Government Printer) in relation to the printing of Explanatory Notes prepared by the department.

GOPRINT supplies the copies of Bills and Explanatory Notes to the Bills and Papers Office. These copies are held under embargo until such time as the Bill is introduced. Once introduced, parliamentary officers circulate copies to Members, the parliamentary press gallery and other recipients.

After copies of the Bill, Explanatory Notes and the Second Reading Speech have been supplied to the Bills and Papers Office, the Minister concerned introduces them to the Legislative Assembly at the earliest opportunity. The actual timing of this presentation is arranged by the Leader of the House, in liaison with the Minister in charge of the Bill.

Prior to the allotted time for the introduction of the Bill, the Clerk hands to the Minister one copy of the Bill, Explanatory Notes and Message from the Governor (if applicable). The Clerk also gives the Minister a pro - forma running sheet which details the procedural motions needed to effect the introduction of the Bill.

The general procedure for the introduction of a Bill is as follows:

1. The Minister seeks leave to move a motion without notice. When leave is granted, the Minister moves that "the House will, at its present sitting, grant leave to bring in a Bill for an Act to ....".
2. A Message from the Governor, (if a Bill that appropriates money from the Consolidated Fund) is presented by the Minister to the Speaker, who reads the Message. (Note: the Premier's Department supplies the Message direct to the Clerk of the Parliament.)
3. The Minister presents the Bill and Explanatory Notes and moves that the Bill be read a first time. (The Clerk reads the short title of the Bill.)
4. The Minister moves that the Bill be printed. (The Bill is circulated to Members.)
5. The Minister moves that the Bill be read a second time and immediately proceeds with the second reading speech. (The Speaker is still in the Chair. The speech is circulated to Members, press, etc.)
6. At the conclusion of the introductory speech an Opposition member (usually the shadow Minister) receives the call and moves that the debate be adjourned.
7. The Minister moves that resumption of debate be made an Order of the Day for tomorrow.
8. Under current Sessional Orders debate is automatically adjourned for a period of at least 13 whole calendar days, unless otherwise determined (for example, in the case of Bills of an urgent nature).

An example of a pro - forma running sheet for the introduction of a Bill is provided below.

MR HAMILL

GAMING MACHINE AND OTHER LEGISLATION AMENDMENT BILL (NO. 2)

1. "Mr Speaker: I seek leave of the House to move a motion without notice."

(Mr Speaker puts the Question)

2. "Mr Speaker: I move - That the House will, at its present sitting, grant leave to bring in a Bill for an Act to amend the Gaming Machine Act 1991 and certain other Acts."

(Mr Speaker puts the Question)

3. "Mr Speaker: I present the Bill and the Explanatory Notes and I move - That the Bill be now read a first time."

(Mr Speaker puts the Question)

(The Clerk reads Bill First Time)

4. "Mr Speaker: I move - That the Bill be printed."

(Mr Speaker puts the Question)

5. "Mr Speaker: I move - That the Bill be now read a second time."

(Proceed with explanatory speech)

(Another Member moves Adjournment of Debate)

6. "Mr Speaker: I move - That the resumption of the debate be made an Order of the Day for tomorrow.

Last reviewed: 17 July, 2009

Last updated: 22 July, 2009

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