Section 1 of the Constitution vests the legislative power of the Commonwealth, that is, the power to make laws subject to the limitations provided by the Constitution, in the Parliament, which consists of the monarch represented by the Governor-General, the Senate and the House of Representatives. The agreement of each of the three components of the Parliament to a proposed law is required to make a law of the Commonwealth. In practice, with the ministry, the executive government, initiating most legislation in the House of Representatives, controlling that House for much of its existence through a party majority, and advising the Governor-General, the task of exercising the legislative power falls upon the Senate.
Proposed laws
Proceedings on legislation
Initiation
Deadline for receipt of bills from House
First reading
Second reading
Reference to standing or select committee
Procedures for regular referral to committees
Instructions to committee of the whole
Division and consolidation of bills
Committee of the whole: amendments
Relevance of amendments
Report from committee
Recommittal on report
Third reading
Discharge of bill
Transmittal to House of Representatives
House amendments on Senate bills
Disagreement of House with Senate amendments
Bills to alter the Constitution
Amendments proposed by the Governor-General
Revival of bills
Control of bills
Limitation of debate – urgent bills
Governor-General’s assent
Commencement of legislation