WEBVTT 1 00:00.000 --> 00:10.000 Music plays. 2 00:10.000 --> 00:13.600 Making a Law 3 00:13.600 --> 00:20.600 One of the main roles of the Parliament is to make laws for the people of Australia. 4 00:20.600 --> 00:34.000 Under Australia's Constitution, the federal Parliament makes laws on important national matters such as defence; immigration; taxation; and even marriage. 5 00:34.000 --> 00:41.000 A proposal for a new law, or a change to an old one, is called a bill. 6 00:41.000 --> 00:48.000 Most bills are introduced into the Parliament by government ministers and usually begin here in the House of Representatives. 7 00:48.000 --> 00:53.000 Following our re-election, we are therefore again seeking to honour our commitment to the Australian people 8 00:53.000 --> 00:57.600 by reintroducing the Fair Work Registered Organisations Amendment Bill. 9 00:57.600 --> 01:02.000 Once a bill is introduced, members can debate the bill and then vote on it. 10 01:02.000 --> 01:08.000 The Labor Party supports this bill and supports its expeditious passage through this place and the other place. 11 01:08.000 --> 01:13.500 I note that the government has provided a full briefing to the Opposition, which the Opposition appreciates 12 01:13.500 --> 01:18.000 and we understand the reasons why the government has moved in this direction. 13 01:18.000 --> 01:22.000 This is a very important piece of legislation. 14 01:23.000 --> 01:28.000 All those of that opinion say 'aye', to the contrary 'no'. The ayes have it. 15 01:28.000 --> 01:36.000 If the bill is agreed to in one house, it is sent to the other house – in this case, the Senate – where a similar process is followed. 16 01:38.000 --> 01:50.000 The President has received a message from the House of Representatives forwarding the Broadcasting Legislation Amendment Media Reform Bill 2016 for concurrence. Minister? 17 01:50.000 --> 01:56.000 I move the bill be read a second time and I seek leave to have the second reading speech incorporated into Hansard. 18 01:56.000 --> 02:02.000 Question agreed to. Those in favour say 'aye', to the contrary 'no'. I believe the ayes have it. The ayes have it. Clerk. 19 01:57.000 --> 02:00.000 I ask leave of the House to move the amendments one to three... 20 02:03.000 --> 02:08.000 A bill for an Act to amend the Broadcasting Services Act 1992 and for other purposes. 21 02:08.000 --> 02:13.000 Members and senators can suggest amendments to a bill, if they think it needs changing. 22 02:13.000 --> 02:17.000 Can I speak on this amendment of my colleague Senator Griff, which is a very worthy amendment. 23 02:17.000 --> 02:20.500 Order. The question is that the amendments be agreed to. 24 02:21.000 --> 02:24.000 These amendments are also debated and voted on. 25 02:24.000 --> 02:29.300 Those of that opinion say 'aye', those against say 'no'. I think the ayes have it. 26 02:30.000 --> 02:35.000 About half of all bills are investigated more closely through the work of parliamentary committees. 27 02:35.600 --> 02:40.600 Either house of Parliament can send a bill to a committee for detailed examination. 28 02:41.000 --> 02:45.600 The committee is hearing evidence on the committee's inquiry into the Water Amendment Bill 2008. 29 02:46.600 --> 02:52.000 A committee might suggest changes to a bill or make other recommendations. 30 02:53.600 --> 03:01.600 Mr Speaker, on behalf of the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Employment, Education, and Training, I presented this report of the committee... 31 03:02.000 --> 03:08.000 Here we have the Finance and Public Administration Reference Committee report... 32 03:08.500 --> 03:13.000 This process helps the Parliament make better informed decisions. 33 03:14.000 --> 03:19.600 The final stage of making a law is approval by the Governor-General, on behalf of the Queen. 34 03:20.000 --> 03:27.600 Before giving royal assent to a bill, the Governor-General must be satisfied that it has passed both houses of Parliament. 35 03:27.600 --> 03:32.600 After the bill is signed, it becomes a law—called an Act of Parliament.