16.2 Statutory Law.

Who makes laws?

1. Parliament- Statutory laws

2. Common law- Judge makes laws.

Bill- proposed law.

- Where you write a law

- Then people vote if they want the law or not to be enforced

Act- A law

- Where the law is in action.

E.g of a bill becoming a law.

1. Doctors, nurses (these people) might have thought that it is compulsory to ride a helmet because
of the amount of people who do not wear a helmet. So the doctors and nurses (lobbies) voted for
the law and caught the politician’s attention

2. Politicians say that it should be a law

3. If people do not wear helmets when they ride, then polices can check on the people who do not
wear helmets and warn them. Polices enforce the law.

Steps where a bill becomes a law.

 Step 1-4 happen in the house of representatives

 Step 5-8 happen in the senate

Step 1- 1st reading- Bill is introduced. Citizens read it briefly, just like the title. Nothing happens

Step 2- 2nd reading- Bill is reintroduced in its country. People read it thoroughly. Debate occurs
whether they want the bill to turn into law or not

Steps 3- Consideration in detail- a committee (MP, from the government of opposition) checks the
bill for any problems.

Step 4- 3rd Reading (first reading is step 1, 2nd reading is step 2 and step 3 is third reading) Votes taken

Step 5 – 1st reading upper house.

Step 6- 2nd reading upper house.

Step 7- Consideration in detail- upper house

Step 8- 3rd reading- upper house.

Step 9- Royal assent upper house.

Left side- government

Right side- opposition

Middle of the house of parliament- speaker.

16.2

1. What are the two types of laws in Australia and how do they come about?

Australia’s laws can come about in two ways. Statutory laws are those that are
made and passed by parliament. Common law is created when a judge must make a
ruling about a case that is not covered by statutory law.

2. Who can pass statutory laws?

Federal and State government.

3. What is the role of the Governor-General when it comes to passing a law?

If the Bill is passed by both houses, the Governor-General as the Queen’s

representative will review and approve the law by giving the Bill royal assent.

4. Why do you think the Governor-General needs to provide royal assent?

The Governor-General needs to provide a royal assent to a bill passed by the

Senate and House of Representatives as part of their constitutional role. This is
because the Governor-General represents the King, who is the head of state of
Australia, and has the power to assent, withhold or reserve assent, or recommend
amendments to a bill.

5. Why do you think that only the title of the Bill is read out in the first reading?

Only the title of the Bill is read, giving the other members a chance to read the Bill
in their own time.