4.2 Timing of the introduction of a Bill
The introduction of a government Bill into the Legislative Assembly is governed by an administrative process. Firstly, Cabinet considers a Cabinet submission for Authority to Introduce a Bill. If it decides a Bill should be introduced, it gives its approval to do so by a formal Cabinet Decision. Members of the Legislative Assembly belonging to the party or parties constituting the government of the day also provide their input about whether a Bill should be introduced.
It is then the Leader of the House, after consultation with the Minister introducing the Bill, who authorises supply of the Bill and indicates when the Bill is to be introduced into the Legislative Assembly. The sponsoring department also advises OQPC that the Bill may be printed and copies are supplied to the staff of the Table Office of Parliament House in readiness for introduction.
It is this combination of administrative processes that authorises the supply of the Bill to the House. OQPC is the agency that arranges for the government printer to print the Bill and supply it to the House. OQPC is electronically linked to the government printer and Parliament House. An electronic copy of the Bill is contemporaneously supplied to the government printer for printing and to the Table Office of Parliament House.
When the Bill is printed, the government printer delivers copies of the Bill to the departmental instructing officer in accordance with details supplied by OQPC.
The timing of introduction of Bills is a matter for the Leader of the House. Bills are usually introduced soon after they receive the approval of Cabinet and government members, unless the Legislative Assembly is not sitting or there is a delay because further drafting or consultation is required.