Bills glossary
1R (first reading)
A formality that occurs after a bill is presented (introduced) to the House. In the Legislative Assembly (LA), the first reading is taken to have occurred after a bill is introduced. In the Legislative Council (LC), the Clerk reads the short title of the bill after it is introduced, and this is considered the first reading.
2R (second reading)
During the second reading debate, members express their opinions about the objects of the bill. At the end of the debate, the House votes on the question "that this bill be now read a second time". If the House agrees and there are amendments to be considered the bill moves to the consideration in detail stage (LA)/ committee of the whole stage (LC). If there are no amendments, the bill moves to the third reading stage. If the House disagrees to the bill being read a second time, the bill is defeated.
3R (third reading)
After the bill has passed the second reading or the consideration in detail stage (LA)/ committee of the whole stage (LC), the House votes on the question "that this bill be now read a third time". If this is agreed to, the bill has passed all stages.
Act (of Parliament)
A bill that has passed all three readings in both Houses of Parliament, received Royal Assent and become law. See 'Assented'.
Amendment
A proposed change to a bill or act.
Assented
An assented bill has passed both Houses and has been signed by the Governor. When assented to, a bill becomes an act. In some circumstances under sections 5A and 5B of the Constitution Act, the Governor can give assent to a bill that has not passed the Legislative Council.
Awaiting assent
The bill has passed both Houses and is awaiting consideration by the Governor.
Awaiting Minister's/mover's 2R speech
The bill has been introduced and read a first time, but the Minister or mover has not yet made the second reading speech.
Bill
A proposed law introduced by members of Parliament and considered by both Houses. After a bill passes both Houses of Parliament and receives assent, it becomes an act.
Cognate bills
Cognate bills are bills that are related to each other in terms of subject matter and are presented to the Parliament as a package for simultaneous consideration. They can, however, be considered separately at any stage.
Commencement
The date when an act or part of an act comes into force. A clause, stating whether the act comes into force by assent or proclamation, usually appears at the start of each bill.
This may be 28 days after the act is assented to, or on a day or days to be appointed by proclamation. When an act or clauses of an act come into force by proclamation, the minister determines the date, and publishes a notification in the NSW Government Gazette shortly before the date of commencement (on behalf of the Governor).
Consideration in committee of the whole (LC specific)
If a member of the Legislative Council wishes to amend a bill, the House forms itself into a "committee of the whole" to consider the bill in detail. During this stage the Presiding Officer leaves the Chair. The Chair of Committees presides over the committee of the whole proceedings and its debate on amendments. At the end of this stage, the Chair of Committees reports the bill to the Presiding Officer with or without amendments. The bill then proceeds to the third reading stage, unless a motion is agreed to that the bill be recommitted for further consideration.
The committee of the whole proceeding also considers bills that have been returned from the Legislative Assembly with amendments. If the committee agrees to those amendments, the bill is sent to the Governor for assent. If, however, the committee disagrees, both Houses exchange messages until agreement is reached or the bill is set aside. See 'Consideration in detail' for procedure in the LA.
Consideration in detail (LA specific)
If a member of the Legislative Assembly wishes to amend a bill, the House will consider the bill in detail. During this stage the Presiding Officer sits at the Table next to the Clerk. After all amendments have been considered by the House and agreed to or otherwise a motion is moved "that this bill be now read a third time." The bill is then passed or a motion is moved for further consideration.
The House also considers bills in detail that have been returned from the Legislative Council with amendments. If the House agrees to those amendments, the bill is sent to the Governor for assent. If, however, the House disagrees, both Houses exchange messages until agreement is reached or the bill is set aside. See 'Consideration in committee of the whole' for procedure in the LC.
Debate adjourned
Debate on a bill can be adjourned until a later hour of the day or to a future sitting day. Debate on a bill that has just been introduced must be adjourned after the mover's second reading speech. In the LA bills must be adjourned for five clear days, which is five calendar days not including the day the bill is introduced. In the LC bills must be adjourned for five calendar days. However, a bill can be declared urgent or standing orders suspended to allow debate to proceed immediately.
Debate interrupted
Debate on a bill can be interrupted by other business (such as Question Time) during a member's speech. That member can continue their speech when debate on the bill resumes.
Discharged
The order of the day for consideration of a bill can be removed from the Business Paper (LA) / Notice Paper (LC) by resolution of the House.
Explanatory notes
The explanatory notes are attached to the first print of a bill and explains the purpose of the bill.
First print
The term 'First Print' appears on the top right hand corner of a bill and indicates that this is the version that is introduced into the Parliament (see 'Print version of a bill' for explanation on print stages).
Lapsed in accordance with Standing Orders
Private members' bills introduced into the Legislative Assembly that are not commenced or completed lapse six months after being given notice of by a member.
Lapsed on prorogation
Prorogation by the Governor ends a session of the Parliament. All notices of motions and orders of the day listed on the Business Paper (LA) / Notice Paper (LC) lapse when the Parliament is prorogued. If the House agrees, lapsed notices and orders (including bills) can be restored to the Business Paper (LA) / Notice Paper (LC) in the new Parliamentary session at the stage they had previously reached.
Money bills
Bills proposing a tax or the spending of money for a particular purpose. Money bills must be introduced into the Legislative Assembly. There are two types of money bills: appropriation bills and taxation bills.
Negatived
A bill is negatived when the motion "that this bill be now read a second (or third) time" is defeated. In the LA, the House may also resolve, during the second reading stage, that a bill be disposed of.
Notice of motion
A bill is initiated after a minister or private member gives a notice of motion to introduce a bill. The notice of motion includes the short and long title of the bill.
Passed by both Houses
The passing of a bill through both Houses means that all stages have been completed and both Houses have agreed to the bill. The version of the bill incorporating any agreed to amendments is available on the bill details page on the Parliament's website.
Print version of a bill
A bill is introduced into the Parliament as a 'First Print', if the bill is amended by the originating House, a 'Second Print' is produced incorporating any amendments that were agreed to. All prints of the bill are available in hard copy and PDF format. If a bill is amended by the other House, a revised print is not issued but a schedule of amendments is sent to the originating House for its consideration. Once both Houses have agreed to a bill in the same state, a 'Vellum' hard copy is produced for the Governor's signature and a 'Passed by both Houses' version is available on the bill details page on the Parliament's website.
Private bill
A private bill (not to be confused with a private members public bill) deals with specific private matters that affect a private person or body such as a bank or church. Unlike public bills, which are initiated by a notice of motion, a private bill requires the publication of a notice in the NSW Government Gazette followed, after three months, by the lodgement of a petition accompanied by a copy of the proposed bill. After the first reading stage, the bill is referred to a select committee for consideration. The bill is then returned to the originating House for consideration, and if passed, it is presented to the Governor for assent. Private bills are rare; the last instance of a private bill being passed was in 1992.
Private member's public bill
A private member's public bill deals with a matter or matters of general public interest. Bills introduced by private members are considered by the Parliament during the time set aside for consideration of general business. The process for considering a private members' bill is the same as that for a government bill.
Proforma bill
A proforma bill is a bill introduced at the start of each new Parliament as a symbolic assertion of each House's ability to conduct its own business. The bill (usually the Law of Evidence Bill) is read a first time but does not proceed to the second or third reading stage.
Government bill
A Government bill deals with a matter or matters of general public interest, and is introduced by ministers or parliamentary secretaries on behalf of a minister. Government bills may, except for money bills, be introduced into either House. Government bills are considered during the time allocated for government business.
Recommittal (LC specific)
At the conclusion of the committee stage, or on a motion that a bill be read a third time, a member may move that the bill be recommitted, in whole or part, for further consideration.
Reconsideration (LA specific)
At the conclusion of the consideration in detail stage, on the motion "that this bill be now read a third time", a member may move that the bill be reconsidered, in whole or part.
Regulations
See 'Statutory instruments'.
Restored by resolution
In certain circumstances, a bill that has been defeated, or which has lapsed, may be restored to the Business paper (LA)/ Notice paper (LC) by resolution of the House.
Schedule of amendments
A list of amendments to a bill that have been agreed to by the House. Where a bill is amended by the other House, the House sends a schedule of amendments back to the originating House for its consideration. The originating House considers the amendments during the consideration in detail stage (LA) or in committee of the whole (LC). If the amendments are agreed to, the bill has been passed by both Houses and is sent to the Governor for assent. If the amendments are not agreed to by the originating House, the bill, with a message outlining the reasons for disagreement, is returned to the other House for further consideration. Both Houses exchange messages until agreement is reached on the amendments or the bill is set aside.
Statement of public interest
When a government bill other than an appropriation bill is read a first time in the Legislative Council, the government must table a statement of public interest. This statement must explain the need for the policies enacted in the bill, and how the policies were developed, including other options considered and consultation undertaken.
Statutory instruments
Statutory instruments are regulations, by-laws, ordinances, rules of the court, or proclamations made under certain Acts. Statutory instruments are published in the NSW Government Gazette and a notice providing details of the instrument is then tabled in both Houses of Parliament. Statutory instruments are not debated in Parliament unless a member of either House seeks to disallow part or all of an instrument.
Standing orders suspended
Standing orders can be suspended by the House to allow a bill to proceed through all its stages in one sitting.
To be reported
When a bill has passed all stages in the originating House it is sent to the other House with a message requesting concurrence with the bill. However, until the Presiding Officer or Chair announces receipt of the message, the bill is introduced and read a first time or set down for consideration at a later hour, the bill remains "to be reported".
Withdrawn
A member may, without debate, withdraw a notice of motion standing in their name from the Business Paper (LA) / Notice Paper (LC) or move a motion that an order of the day be discharged and the bill be withdrawn.