- (b) for a proposed category T bill, a statement of reasons (see paragraphs 2.42 to 2.47).
Variation requests and any statement of reasons are to be set out in the appropriate templates and sent to the Legislation Section (see paragraphs mentioned above). Legislation Liaison Officers can download the appropriate templates from the PM&C website.
The minister's covering letter for a variation
2.30 The minister's letter is required to:
- (a) contain information about the variation;
- (b) explain why the variation is being sought for the current sittings rather than as a bid for a future sitting period; and
- (c) confirm that all policy approvals necessary for the proposed legislation have been obtained, or are being sought with the request, and that final drafting instructions have been issued. An explanation is to be included if these steps have not occurred as the lack of progress may influence the PBC's decision on the request.
2.31 Ministers may also wish to provide an indication of the non‑government parties' likely attitude (if known), and the extent of consultations with such parties (if any).
2.32 The letter is to provide all the necessary documentation in support of a variation request (i.e. details included in the appropriate template and a statement of reasons, where applicable).
2.33 Where policy approval has already been obtained for the proposed variation, this must be clearly indicated under the heading 'Policy approval' in the accompanying details of the variation by including the source and date of the approval.
2.34 Where minor policy approval is being sought from the Prime Minister in the variation request letter, the request is to be clearly identified in the covering letter (e.g. policy approval is sought for amendments to the XYZ Act which will be included in the ABC Bill) and details of the request are also to be included, as an attachment if appropriate (see Chapter 3 for details on seeking policy approval).
ADDING BUDGET BILLS TO THE LEGISLATION PROGRAMME
2.35 Bills implementing decisions that form part of the annual Commonwealth Budget are normally given priority over other bills.
2.36 Budget‑related bids are essentially variations to the Winter legislation programme and are submitted using a letter, variation template, and statement of reasons (see paragraphs 2.28 to 2.29). Bids are normally required by the Thursday after the Budget is delivered.
TEMPLATES FOR BIDS AND VARIATION REQUESTS
2.37 Details of bids and variation requests must be compiled on templates available from your departmental LLO. Departments must adhere to the templates. The information included in a bid or variation request must be accurate; information is not to be included in anticipation of the outcome of discussions which are yet to take place.
