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• Introduction

1. Introduction to Federal Legislation

• 1.1 Introduction to Federal Legislation
  
  
• 1.2 The Legislative Process
  
  

2. Bills

• 2.1 Bills
  
  
• 2.2 How a Bill becomes Law
  
  
• 2.3 The Structure of a Bill
  
  

3. Legislative Research

• 3.1 Legislative Research
  
  
• 3.2 Step One Determine Jurisdiction
  
  
• 3.3 Step Two Determine the Legislation
  
  
• 3.4 Step Three Confirm Come into Force
  
  
• 3.5 Step Four Locate Statute or Regulation
  
  
• 3.6 Step Five Update and Note up
  
  
• 3.7 Tips for Legislative Research
  
  
• Review and Conclusion
  
  

Federal Legislation – Bills

Members of Parliament and Senators study, debate and often amend bills. A bill is a draft or proposed piece of legislation that is making its way through the legislature.

There are three principal types of bills.

1. Government Bills

Submitted on behalf of government by a Cabinet minister to Parliament for approval, and possible amendment before becoming law.

2. Private Member's Bills

Submitted to Parliament by a Private Member. Every MP who is not a Cabinet minister is a Private Member (i.e., whether or not they are a member of the Party forming Government).

3. Private Bills

May not be introduced by a Minister and must be founded on a petition signed by the persons who are interested in promoting it.

• Exempt a person or a group of persons (including corporate persons) from the application of a statute.
• Expensive and rare.
  • Examples:
    • an act to exempt a church from general taxation rules on sale of property.
    • up until the 1960s, divorces were only granted by a private act of federal Parliament.