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  3. Legislation Handbook
  4. Guides to the legislation processes

Legislation Handbook

The purpose of this handbook and guidance material is to provide a description of the procedures involved in making Commonwealth Acts, especially the procedures coordinated by PM&C.

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Guides to the legislation processes

  • Guide to the legislation process
  • Guide to parliamentary amendments
  • Guide to legislation program variations
Legislation Handbook cover

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Legislation Handbook
PDF
785.72 KB
Legislation Handbook
DOCX
285.14 KB

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  • Copyright
  • Executive summary
  • Chapter 1: Introduction
  • Chapter 2: Developing the legislation program
  • Chapter 3: Policy approval
  • Chapter 4: Types of bills
  • Chapter 5: Preparation of drafting instructions
  • Chapter 6: The drafting process
  • Chapter 7: Preparing the support material – explanatory memorandum and second reading speech
  • Chapter 8: The Legislation Approval Process for bills prior to introduction in the Parliament
  • Chapter 9: Amendments during passage of a bill and supplementary support material
  • Chapter 10: Party clearance
  • Chapter 11: Introduction of a bill in the Parliament
  • Chapter 12: Passage of a bill through the House of Representatives
  • Chapter 13: Passage of a bill through the Senate
  • Chapter 14: Procedures after passage of a bill
  • Glossary
  • Abbreviations and acronyms
  • Appendixes
  • Guides to the legislation processes

Area/Program/Initiative
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Release date
Monday 8 December 2025

Publication category
Handbook

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PM&C acknowledges the traditional owners and custodians of country throughout Australia and acknowledges their continuing connection to land, water and community. We pay our respects to the people, the cultures and the elders past, present and emerging.

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