Stage 1: Drafting

The Parliamentary counsel's Office (PCO) receive directions to write a new bill. Ideas for bills can come from campaign promises, petitions, community feedback, or intergovernmental agreements.

• At this stage of the process, you can: Raise important issues with the Assembly and MLAs.

Stage 2: Presentation

The bill is presented in the Assembly by a member. Debate is then typically adjourned to give members time to read and consider the contents of the bill.

• At this stage of the process, you can: Share with your local community how to get involved in upcoming scrutiny of the bill.

Stage 3: Scrutiny and inquiry

All bills are sent to two committees while debate is adjourned.

They are sent to the scrutiny committee to make sure that the bill is well written and complies with the Human Rights Act 2004.

They are also set to a relevant subject area committee which can choose either to hold and inquiry into the bill or to send it back to the Assembly without inquiry.

Both committees must report back before debate can continue.

• At this stage of the process, you can: Write a submission to a committee inquiry or appear at a public hearing.
• You can read it online: Inquiries details are available on parliament.act.gov.au.

Stage 4: Agreement in principle

Members debate the general ideas of the bill and vote on whether they agree with them. Bills require a majority of votes in favour to pass. If it doesn't or the vote ties, the bill fails.

Stage 5: Detail stage

Members can choose to make changes to a bill during the detail stage. Each proposed change is voted on and requires a majority in favour to pass.

The Assembly can choose to skip this stage if no one wants to make any changes. This happens regularly.

• At this stage of the process, you can: Write to or call your members to encourage them to change parts of the bill.

Stage 6: Agreement

Members vote on whether they want to adopt the bill as a law.

• At this stage of the process, you can: Write to or call your members to encourage them to vote in favour or against the bill.

Stage 7: Notification

The Speaker writes to PCO to ask them to change its status on the online Legislation Register. Once this is done, it becomes a law!

• You can read it online: Check a bill's status online at legislation.act.gov.au