1 00:00:09,289 --> 00:00:15,570 One of the main roles of the Australian Parliament is to make laws for the people of Australia. 2 00:00:15,570 --> 00:00:20,929 This power comes from the Australian Constitution, which says that the Australian Parliament 3 00:00:20,929 --> 00:00:27,289 has powers to make laws on important national matters such as welfare, defence, immigration 4 00:00:27,289 --> 00:00:29,769 and taxation. 5 00:00:29,769 --> 00:00:34,929 Laws are formal rules which people and organisations have to follow. 6 00:00:34,929 --> 00:00:41,310 A proposal for a new law, or a change to an existing one, is called a bill. 7 00:00:41,310 --> 00:00:45,969 Most bills are introduced into the Parliament by government ministers and usually begin 8 00:00:45,969 --> 00:00:47,450 in the House of Representatives. 9 00:00:47,450 --> 00:00:54,100 First reading a bill for an Act to amend the Australian Education Act 2013 and for related 10 00:00:54,100 --> 00:00:55,100 purposes. 11 00:00:55,100 --> 00:00:56,100 The Minister. 12 00:00:56,100 --> 00:01:02,829 I move that this bill be now read a second time. 13 00:01:02,829 --> 00:01:07,730 Once a bill is introduced, members can debate it and then vote on it. 14 00:01:07,730 --> 00:01:12,069 As a community, we should make sure you get a great education. 15 00:01:12,909 --> 00:01:17,569 It's the promise that we make to every Australian child at their birth. 16 00:01:18,569 --> 00:01:23,530 Like John Dewey said, what the best and wisest parent wants for his own child, 17 00:01:23,969 --> 00:01:27,310 that must the community want for all its children. 18 00:01:28,609 --> 00:01:30,489 All those of that opinion say aye. 19 00:01:31,090 --> 00:01:32,489 To the contrary, no. 20 00:01:33,129 --> 00:01:35,250 I think the ayes have it. 21 00:01:35,909 --> 00:01:40,129 If the bill is agreed to in one house, it is sent to the other house, 22 00:01:40,670 --> 00:01:44,230 in this case the Senate, where a similar process is followed. 23 00:01:45,629 --> 00:01:48,230 It's impossible to overstate the importance of this bill 24 00:01:48,230 --> 00:01:50,189 because whatever the outcome of our consideration, 25 00:01:50,390 --> 00:01:53,150 it will have a far-reaching effect on a generation of children 26 00:01:53,150 --> 00:01:54,650 and their educational outcomes. 27 00:01:55,810 --> 00:01:59,709 If senators and members think that a bill needs to be changed, 28 00:02:00,069 --> 00:02:01,510 they can suggest amendments. 29 00:02:01,510 --> 00:02:11,509 These amendments provide for the establishment of a national school resourcing body. 30 00:02:11,509 --> 00:02:15,509 These amendments are also debated and voted on. 31 00:02:15,509 --> 00:02:19,509 Are there educational, measurable statistics attached to your amendment? 32 00:02:19,509 --> 00:02:22,509 Because I'd really like to consider it if there were. 33 00:02:22,509 --> 00:02:28,509 Bills can also be investigated more closely through the work of parliamentary committees. 34 00:02:28,509 --> 00:02:34,830 Either House of Parliament can send a bill to a Committee for detailed examination. 35 00:02:34,830 --> 00:02:40,210 A Committee might suggest changes to a bill or make other recommendations for the Houses 36 00:02:40,210 --> 00:02:41,210 to consider. 37 00:02:41,210 --> 00:02:46,030 Mr Speaker, on behalf of the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Employment, Education 38 00:02:46,030 --> 00:02:50,349 and Training, I present this report of the Committee entitled Innovations. 39 00:02:50,349 --> 00:02:56,789 Well, here we have the Finance and Public Administration's Reference Committee report. 40 00:02:56,789 --> 00:03:01,349 This process helps the Parliament make better informed decisions. 41 00:03:01,349 --> 00:03:06,610 After being agreed to, in exactly the same form, in the House of Representatives and 42 00:03:06,610 --> 00:03:12,349 the Senate, bills must be approved by the Governor-General on behalf of the Queen. 43 00:03:12,349 --> 00:03:14,629 This is called Royal Assent. 44 00:03:14,629 --> 00:03:20,270 After the bill is signed, it becomes a law, called an Act of Parliament.