Civics & Citizenship · Year 7 · The Path to Legislation · Term 2

How a Bill Becomes a Law: Parliamentary Stages

Students will follow the stages of debate and voting in the House of Representatives and the Senate.

• ACARA Content Descriptions
• AC9C7K02

About This Topic

Lobby groups and interest groups play a significant role in the Australian political landscape by advocating for specific causes or industries. This topic explores how these groups influence the development of policy and legislation by meeting with politicians, running media campaigns, and providing expert testimony. Students examine the diversity of these groups, from environmental organizations and trade unions to business councils and community advocates. This connects to AC9C7K02 and AC9C7K03.

Learning about lobbying helps students understand that political influence extends beyond the ballot box. It encourages them to think critically about whose voices are heard in the halls of power and the ethics of political access. By analyzing different perspectives, students develop a more nuanced view of how public policy is shaped by competing interests in a multicultural society.

This topic particularly benefits from structured discussion and peer explanation as students evaluate the fairness of different lobbying tactics.

Key Questions

1. Explain the sequential steps a bill must undergo to become law.
2. Analyze the purpose of each stage in the legislative process.
3. Predict potential points of failure or amendment for a proposed bill.

Learning Objectives

• Explain the sequential steps a bill must undergo to become law in Australia.
• Analyze the purpose of each stage of parliamentary debate and voting in the House of Representatives and the Senate.
• Identify potential points of failure or amendment for a proposed bill during its passage through Parliament.
• Compare the roles of the House of Representatives and the Senate in the legislative process.
• Critique the effectiveness of specific parliamentary procedures in shaping legislation.

Before You Start

Structure of Australian Parliament

Why: Students need to understand the existence and basic roles of the House of Representatives and the Senate before examining how bills move between them.

Roles of the Governor-General and the Monarch

Why: Knowledge of the Governor-General's constitutional role is necessary to understand the final step of Royal Assent in the legislative process.

Key Vocabulary

Bill	A proposed law that has been formally introduced into Parliament. It must pass through several stages before it can become an Act of Parliament.
First Reading	The initial introduction of a bill to a house of Parliament. The title is read, and copies are distributed, with no debate occurring at this stage.
Second Reading	The main debate on a bill, where members discuss its principles and purpose. Following the debate, a vote is taken on whether to proceed with the bill.
Committee Stage	The detailed examination of a bill, where members can propose and vote on amendments. This stage can occur in a Committee of the Whole House or a select committee.
Third Reading	A final debate on the bill in its amended form. A vote is then taken on whether to pass the bill to the next stage or house.
Royal Assent	The formal approval of a bill by the Governor-General, acting on behalf of the Queen, which makes the bill an Act of Parliament and law.

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

Lobbying is illegal or 'bribery'.

What to Teach Instead

Lobbying is a legal and essential part of democracy that allows groups to share expertise with lawmakers. Using a 'Code of Conduct' activity helps students see the rules that govern professional lobbying.

Common Misconception

Only big companies can lobby the government.

What to Teach Instead

Small community groups, charities, and individuals can also lobby. Comparing a large corporate campaign with a local 'Save our Park' petition shows students the range of advocacy.

Active Learning Ideas

Role Play: The Minister's Office

One student plays a Minister, while others represent different lobby groups (e.g., a mining company vs. an environmental group). Each group has two minutes to 'pitch' their position on a new project to the Minister.

40 min·Small Groups

Gallery Walk: Campaign Analysis

Display posters or advertisements from various interest groups. Students move around the room in pairs, identifying the target audience, the main message, and the specific change the group is asking for.

30 min·Pairs

Inquiry Circle: Who is Lobbying?

In small groups, students research a current news story and identify which interest groups are mentioned. they create a 'stakeholder map' showing how each group is trying to influence the outcome.

45 min·Small Groups

Real-World Connections

• Parliamentary clerks in Canberra meticulously prepare and present bills for debate, ensuring procedural accuracy at each reading and voting stage. Their work supports the smooth passage of legislation affecting national issues, from environmental protection to economic policy.
• Constituents in electorates across Australia can write to their local Member of Parliament or Senator to express their views on a bill. This feedback can influence how their representative votes during the committee and reading stages, demonstrating direct citizen input into law-making.
• The Australian Law Reform Commission researches and proposes changes to laws, often resulting in draft bills being presented to Parliament. Their work on topics like family law or corporate regulation directly feeds into the parliamentary process students are studying.

Assessment Ideas

Quick Check

Present students with a simplified flow chart of the legislative process with key stages missing. Ask them to fill in the blanks using the correct parliamentary terms and briefly describe the main activity at each stage.

Discussion Prompt

Pose the question: 'Imagine a bill to ban single-use plastics has been introduced. At which parliamentary stage do you think it is most likely to be amended, and why?' Facilitate a class discussion where students justify their predictions based on the purpose of each stage.

Exit Ticket

On a slip of paper, ask students to write the name of one house of the Australian Parliament (House of Representatives or Senate) and one specific action that occurs during the Second Reading stage of a bill in that house.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a lobby group?

A lobby group is an organized collection of people who try to influence government decisions on specific issues. They provide information to politicians, organize public campaigns, and represent the interests of their members, such as farmers, teachers, or businesses.

How do lobby groups influence the government?

They influence government by meeting with Members of Parliament, providing research and data, launching advertising campaigns to sway public opinion, and testifying at parliamentary inquiries into new laws.

Is lobbying good for democracy?

It can be good because it ensures that experts and affected groups have a say in law-making. However, it can be controversial if wealthy groups have more access to politicians than ordinary citizens or smaller community groups.

What are the best hands-on strategies for teaching about lobby groups?

Role-playing 'pitch meetings' is highly effective. When students have to condense a complex issue into a persuasive argument for a 'politician,' they learn the art of advocacy and the importance of evidence-based persuasion in the political process.