Article 11 Amendment of section 77 of the Constitution

Section 77 of the Constitution (introduction of Bills) is amended as follows.

For subsection (2), substitute—

“(2)

Every Bill shall be published in a Government Notice, and the Parliament shall not proceed upon any Bill until the expiration of 28 days after the date on which the Bill was so published, unless the Premier certifies by writing under his or her hand that consideration of the Bill is too urgent to permit such a delay.”.

After subsection (3), insert—

“(4)

Except with the consent of the Governor, acting in his or her discretion, signified by the Premier, the Parliament shall not proceed upon any Bill (including any amendment to a Bill) that, in the opinion of the Governor, acting in his or her discretion, signified as aforesaid, concerns a matter for which the Governor is responsible under section 55(1) or a matter that by law is the responsibility of the Governor.

(5)

In the event of a dispute concerning whether a matter falls within the scope of section 55(1) for the purposes of subsection (4), the Premier may refer the question to a Secretary of State, whose decision on the matter shall be final.”.