5.3.2 How a Bill Becomes Law: The Legislative Process

A bill moves through a fixed order of stages. Stage one is first reading: the bill counts as read and is printed, so everyone can see the text. Stage two is second reading, where members debate the idea behind the bill rather than its fine detail. Stage three is the committee stage. A smaller group of members works through the bill one clause at a time and studies it in detail. Nothing is rushed; each stage has its own purpose.

Stage four is the report stage, when members may put forward further changes to the text. Stage five is third reading: members debate the bill one last time and then vote on it. If it passes, stage six sends it to the Senate, which puts it through a similar series of stages. Stage seven is royal assent, given once both Houses have passed the bill. That makes seven stages in all, from first reading through to royal assent.