The government introduces the proposed law into a House of Parliament, usually the Lower House. The person who introduces the law is usually the Minister whose department will administer the future law. We call this proposed law a Bill. This is the " first reading" and the House, as a formality, agree that the Bill "be read a first time". The House then votes to adjourn the debate to allow members to consider it more fully. Adjourn means to postpone to a future date.
             When the debate resumes, the Minister then asks that it be read "a second time". The House then fully discusses the Bill while "sitting in committee" and makes any necessary changes. When a House of Parliament is "in committee", the membership remains the same but proceedings are less formal.
             Once the House agrees to a second reading, the Minister asks that the Bill be read a third time. If the House agrees, the Bill "passes" that House.
             The process in the other House is identical. Upon the approval of both Houses, the Bill goes to the Governor-General or the Governor for signature.
             In theory, the Governor or Governor-General can refuse to sign the Bill into law. It is a constitutional convention, a political understanding, that the Governor or Governor-General will never refuse to sign a Bill. Upon signature, the Bill becomes an Act of Parliament, a parliamentary law. The Act itself may specify that it will come into operation on the date of assent or some later date. Acts of Parliament are also called statutes.
             It is a constitutional convention that a money Bill must originate in the Lower House. A money Bill is a Bill that authorizes the raising or spending of money by the government. It is also a constitutional convention that the leader of the government (Prime Minister or Premier) will be a Member of the Lower House.
             Australia has a federal system of gov
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