Queensland Parliament: The Green Room

The green room is the area where the 93 Lower House elected members sit and discuss relevant issues. To achieve this, the members of the Lower House must follow the Queensland legislative process. This process can be split into 5 different stages, the first being the first reading [Queensland Government, 2008, The making of an act]. The first reading is a purely formal procedure, when the bill is introduced to, and becomes available to, the members of Parliament and the public.

The next stage, the second reading, is similar to the first reading, however, usually involves minor debate, but nothing too in depth. Following the second reading is the consideration in detail. This is when debates are held regarding the content of the bill. The third reading is designed to announce the changes after the bill’s consideration in detail and also gives members of Parliament a final chance to make their objections. The final stage, enactment, involves the governor signing the bill on behalf of the Queen. Once this has taken place, the bill has been passed and is now a law.