• attending branch party meetings;.
• keeping their fellow party members well informed on policy decisions and other relevant information;.
• participating in party debate at branch level; and.
• Generally representing their party at the electorate level, where appropriate.
The Speaker of the House:.
The office of Speaker dates back to the early English Parliaments of the fourteenth century. In the Queensland Parliament a secret ballot of all members of Parliament is conducted to elect the speaker. This is done after an election when a new parliament has been elected. The Speaker ensures there is always orderly conduct in the chamber and enforces the standing orders to ensure this. The Speaker is influential in parliament, as he has the deciding vote in a tied vote situation. The Speaker also oversees the parliament's budget, services and administration.
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The Passing of a Bill .
Introduction: The Minister introduces the proposed Bill to the house.
First Reading: The Clerk reads the Bill to parliament.
Second Reading: The minister delivers a speech outlining the reason for the bill. Debate of the Bill is adjourned for at least thirteen calendar days. When the House resumes the debate, the Opposition raises issues concerning the Bill. The clerk reads the title of the Bill a second time.
Committee of the whole house: The house forms itself into a committee in the chamber to debate all the sections of the Bill. The Chairman of Committees is in charge of proceedings.
Third Reading: After the Bill is agreed to, The Clerk reads the title for a third and final time. The Bill is passed by a majority vote.
Royal Assent:.
The Royal Assent is the Monarch's agreement to make a Bill into an Act of Parliament. The Monarch actually has the right to refuse Royal Assent but nowadays this does not happen - the Royal Assent is a formality.
Example of why the Government should introduce a law in a particular area:.