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About the documents associated with bills

About the documents associated with bills

Text of bill

  • First reading: Test of the bill as introduced into the Parliament
  • Third reading: Prepared if the bill is amended by the house in which it was introduced. This version of the bill is then considered by the second house.
  • As passed by both houses: Final text of bill agreed to by both the House of Representatives and the Senate which is presented to the Governor-General for assent.

Explanatory memoranda

  • Explanatory memorandum: Accompanies and provides an explanation of the content of the introduced version (first reading) of the bill.
  • Supplementary explanatory memorandum: Accompanies and explains amendments proposed by the government to the bill.
  • Revised explanatory memorandum: Accompanies and explains the amended version (third reading) of the bill. It supersedes the explanatory memorandum.

Proposed amendments

Circulated by members and senators when they propose to make changes to the bill. For details about the outcome of proposed amendments please refer to either the Votes and Proceedings (House of Representatives) or the Journals (Senate).

Schedules of amendments

Schedules of amendments list amendments agreed to by the second house and are communicated to the first house for consideration. Subsequent action by either house may also be included in a schedule.

 

 

 

 

 

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What is a bill?

A bill is a proposal for a law or a change to an existing law. A bill becomes law (an Act) when agreed to in identical form by both houses of Parliament and assented to by the Governor-General.

Parliament House Calendar

February 2013

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
27282930311 Other2
34 Other5 Both6 Both7 Both8 Other9
1011 House of Representatives12 House of Representatives13 House of Representatives14 House of Representatives15 Other16
1718 Other19 Other20 Other2122 Other23
2425 Senate26 Senate27 Senate28 Senate12
  • Senate
  • House of Representatives
  • Both
  • Public Holiday
  • Other
4 Feb 13
Senate Committee Hearing
4 Feb 13
Senate Committee Hearing
5 Feb 13
Senate sitting

Parliamentary sitting calendar

Go to the full calendar of events