Representative Government: The government must represent the concerns and expectations of the people who voted them in at the last election
Responsible Government: Parliament is accountable for its actions, the crown and its ministers are both responsible to parliament for running of portfolio and other doings.
Separation of powers: Three branches of government should remain separate
1. Legislature- parliament that makes laws
2. Executive- the business of government (implement laws)
3. Judiciary- Courts that hear cases (interpret, apply & enforce laws)
Bill: A proposal for a new law or a change to an existing law.
1ST READING:
Title of the bills read out and copies of the bill are given to members (summary of bill is given)
Minister decides whether to move on the 2nd house or adjourn it to later date
2ND READING:
The purpose of bill is discussed
Bill is debated and shadow minister presents the oppositions response
Further debates occur and once done, motion will be put, if carried, bill moves to next stage
CONSIDERATION IN DETAIL:
Bill is debated clause by clause
Amendments can be moved and debated atthis stage, and voted on
If the house votes to accept bill it goes to the next stage
3RD READING:
Bill is read for the 3rd time
Usually no debate is taken place
A vote is taken place to signal it has gone through lower house
UPPER HOUSE:
Bill follows the same stages as it does in lower house
Committee stage known as committee of the whole
ROYAL ASSENT PROCLOMATION:
Governor-general provides royal assent (stamp is put on the bill & signed)
When bill becomes act it is published in the government gazette (commencement date of act)
STRENGTHS
WEAKNESSES
1. Access to expert opinion:
Parliament gathers data from a wide variety of sources to make informed decisions when drafting bills
1. Difficulties in drafting legislation:
Sometimes the words in the bill may not be fully defined if its relating to a technical area
2. Consultation with public:
Parliament allows community to be actively involved with regard to proposals of the law
2. Fear of voter backlash:
Politicians are conscious of public opinion so issues are sometimes not handled
3. Law made by parliament is responsive and flexible:
Parliament can act quickly when necessary to introduce laws in response to changes
3. Parliament is not always sitting:
Number of sitting says is low and therefore law reform can be delayed
Technological Advances:
New technology is being developed at a rapid rate
Laws about technology need to change as it is continually making an impact on society
An example is sexting were people/teens are sending sexual images to each other and it has resulted in child pornography and people are being placed on sex offenders register
Values Change:
Changing attitudes to morality have been responsible for many changes to the law
Laws need to be changed so they continue to be relevant and accepted by society
An example is in 19th century legislation banned bathing in public between 6am-8pm and in early 20th century bathers has to wear neck t knew costumes in the water
Significant incidents:
At times a significant event occurs that gains public exposure for an issue, so parliament has to act and try prevent a similar incident from occurring
For example in 2006, brodie panlock committed suicide after being bullied and harassed in her work place. A new law for bullying has been constructed so no future incidents would occur like this
The VLRC major responsibility is to research issues that