Insights
Explainers, glossaries and guides to Australian policy and regulation, from the We AI Advisors team at We. Communications. Each one lists its sources.
Explainers
Explainer
How a bill becomes law in Australia
A federal bill becomes law when both houses of Parliament pass the same text and the Governor-General gives Royal Assent. The Act then starts on the date it sets or, if it sets none, generally on the 28th day after assent.
Explainer
How to make a submission to a government consultation
A government consultation asks for written views on a proposal before a decision is made. To take part, find the consultation page, read the paper and its questions, answer them with evidence, mark anything confidential, and lodge before the closing date.
Explainer
What is a disallowable legislative instrument?
A disallowable legislative instrument is a Commonwealth rule, such as a regulation, that Parliament can cancel after it is made. Under the Legislation Act 2003, a house can disallow it if notice of a motion is given within 15 sitting days of tabling and resolved within a further 15 sitting days.
Glossaries
Glossary
Australian policy and legislation glossary
This glossary defines 35 terms used in Australian policy and legislation, such as exposure draft, second reading, disallowance and sunsetting, in plain English and with links to the official sources behind them.
Comparisons
Comparison
Policy monitoring, media monitoring and legal research
Policy monitoring tracks what governments and parliaments publish and when decisions fall due. Media monitoring tracks news coverage, and legal research establishes what the law says. A team that follows government decisions may need more than one.