To assist in the forward planning of the Government's Legislative Program, it is necessary that details be provided of those legislative matters which Ministers intend to bring to Parliament in the 2003 Spring Sittings. Ministers' submissions should include any items that did not pass through all legislative stages by the end of the current Budget 2003 sittings.

A schedule should be completed for every piece of legislation intended for the session. Schedules should be returned no later than Tuesday 15 July 2003.

Ministers are reminded that the Legislative Council has passed a resolution that the following procedures apply to the passage of Government Bills:

• where a Bill is introduced by a Minister, or is received from the Legislative Assembly after 18 November 2003 (Spring Session), debate on the motion for the second reading is to be adjourned at the conclusion of the speech of the Minister moving the motion, and the resumption of the debate is to be made an Order of the Day for the first sitting day in 2004.
• however, if after the first reading a Minister declares a Bill to be an urgent Bill and copies have been circulated to Members, the Question "That the Bill be considered an urgent Bill" is to be decided without amendment or debate, except a statement not exceeding 10 minutes each by a Minister and the Leader of the Opposition, or a Member nominated by the Leader of the Opposition, and one cross-bench Member. If that Question is agreed to, the second reading debate and subsequent stages may proceed forthwith or at any time during any sitting of the House.

In order to ensure the passage of legislation through the Parliament, the deadlines for the receipt of Cabinet Minutes and introduction of Bills for the 2003 Spring Sittings of Parliament are as follows:

• Cabinet Minutes for all the major legislative proposals for the session are to be provided to The Cabinet Office by Thursday 31 July 2003 at the latest.
• all Bills must be approved by Cabinet or the Cabinet Standing Committee on Legislation no later than week commencing 27 October 2003 for introduction into the Parliament.

Matters received after this time will not be included in the parliamentary program for the Spring Sittings unless Ministers can make out a case for urgency and gain the formal approval of the Premier.

Ministers are required to instruct agencies under their administration to provide drafting instructions to the Parliamentary Counsel's Office within five working days of Cabinet's in-principle approval.

Any enquiries should be directed to Diana Browne on (02) 9228 4636.

Leigh Sanderson
A/Director-General

LEGISLATIVE PROPOSAL - SPRING SITTINGS 2003

________________________________________________ 

MINISTER:

__________________________________________________

TITLE OF PROPOSAL (include previous Cabinet Minute numbers if relevant):

PURPOSE OF PROPOSAL (details of the nature and/or purpose of the proposals):

__________________________________________________ 

PRIORITY FOR LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM:
(circle one of the following categories)

"A": Government initiatives which you consider must proceed in the coming session (ie urgent priority)

OR

"B": Any other matters which you wish to proceed in the coming session.

___________________________________________________
 
DATE BY WHICH THE LEGISLATION MUST COMMENCE
(if applicable):

___________________________________________________
 
 DATE FOR SUBMISSION OF IN PRINCIPLE MINUTE TO THE CABINET OFFICE

___________________________________________________

Nominated contact person: Telephone:

____________________________________________________
 
Signed:

_______________________________________________

Minister for