Current Legislation
There are three main branches to our Australian government: the legislature, the executive and the judiciary. Each has its own powers and responsibilities. The Legislature consists of two houses of Parliament. Federally there is the Senate and the House of Representatives. In NSW the two houses are the Legislative Assembly and the Legislative Council. To find out who represents you go to the Contact your MP page.
 MAKING THE LAW
The Parliamentary process of law making in New South Wales is similar to that of other Australian and Westminster-style Parliaments. Broadly the proposed law (i.e. the Bill), once drafted by the Parliamentary Counsel’s office, is introduced in one house (most commonly the Legislative Assembly) where it must pass through three stages: First reading, Second reading and Third reading. Debate on the Bill occurs during the Second Reading stage.
If the Bill is passed by a majority in the House of introduction it then passes on to the second house (most often the Upper House) which acts as a house of review, where it must pass through the same process again. If both houses agree on the Bill it passes on to the Governor of New South Wales for approval (i.e. Royal Assent) after which it becomes an Act of Parliament and part of the Law of New South Wales. For more information on this process read Our Form of Government in Australia.
 Bills in the NSW Parliament - www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/prod/parlment/nswbills.nsf/V3BillsHome
 When does the Federal or NSW Parliament next sessional sitting occur?
NSW Parliament sitting day’s link - click here...
Federal Parliament sitting day’s link - click here...
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