How a law is made: Video series

This series of short videos explores the process of passing a bill through parliament, from identifying the initial need through to Royal Assent and the bill becoming an Act of Parliament, in other words a law.

 

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A range of questions are provided for each video, which can be used to explore the process and how the processes of parliament support democracy, the development of effective laws, and provide opportunities for the law to be reformed.

 

Discussion questions

How a Law is Made – Need

  • How is the need for new law or a law reform identified?
  • What processes are in place to ensure laws that pass parliament reflect changes in society and people’s expectations?

How a Law is Made – Inputs

  • How can individuals and groups influence and have input into the law-making process?
  • What role do individual, organisations, government, political parties, parliamentary committees and media have in the process of law-making and reforming the law?

How a Law is Made – Bill at Cabinet

  • What are the strengths and limitations of Cabinet’s role in the law drafting process?

How a Law is Made – Legislative Assembly

  • What are the processes of scrutinising, debating and amending bills in the Legislative Assembly?
  • What role do both the government and opposition play in this process?

How a Law is Made – Legislative Council

  • What role does the Legislative Council play in the law-making process? What are the strengths and benefits of this role?
  • What impacts, both positive and negative, might the changes (introduced in 2002) to the Legislative Council have on representation?

How a Law is Made – Royal Assent and enactment

  • What is the function of the Governor of Victoria and the process of Royal Assent?

Classroom connections

This video series, most suitable for students from Year 9 -12, is useful as either an introduction, consolidation or refresher to how parliament makes laws. It can be used as stimulus material on its own to explore the passage of a bill and the internal and external influences (such as individuals, organisations, government, opposition, political parties, or the process itself) can have on the bill. It can also be used in conjunction with other parliament resources to develop students understandings of the various parliamentary processes.