Article 9 – Rules and Legislative Process

The Parliament

Article 9 – Rules and Legislative Process

Section 1 The Legislative Power

All Legislative Authority here in granted shall be vested in a Parliament that shall have power to make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers, and all other Powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the Commonwealth Federation, or in any Department or Officer thereof.

Section 2 Qualifications of Members

Each House shall be the Judge of the Elections, Returns and Qualifications of its own Members.

Section 3 Quorum

A Majority of members shall constitute a Quorum to do Business; but a smaller Number may adjourn from day to day, and may be authorized to compel the Attendance of absent Members, in such Manner, and under such Penalties as each House may provide.

Section 4 Proceeding

Each House may determine the Rules of its Proceedings, punish its Members for disorderly Behavior, and, with the Concurrence of two thirds, expel a Member. Each House shall keep a Journal of its Proceedings, and from time to time publish the same, excepting such Parts as may in their Judgment require Secrecy; and the Yeas and Nays of the Members of any House on any question shall, at the Desire of one fifth of those Present, be entered on the Journal.

No House, during the Session of Parliament, shall, without the Consent of the others, adjourn for more than three days, nor to any other Place than that in which the Houses shall be sitting.

Section 5 Compensation and Privileges of Members

Members of Parliament shall receive a Compensation for their Services, to be ascertained by Law, and paid out of the Treasury of the Federation. They shall in all Cases, except Treason, Felony and Breach of the Peace, be privileged from Arrest during their Attendance at the Session of their respective Houses, and in going to and returning from the same; and for any Speech or Debate in their House, they shall not be questioned in any other Place.

Section 6 Revenue Bills

All Bills for raising Revenue shall originate in the House of Commons; but the Senate may propose or concur with Amendments as on other Bills.

Section 7 Spending Bills

No Money shall be drawn from the Treasury, but in Consequence of Appropriations made by Law; and a regular Statement and Account of the Receipts and Expenditures of all public Money shall be published from time to time.

Section 8 Legislative Process

To become law a bill, which, except for money bills, may have begun in any of the Houses, must have the assent of the House and the Senate. Except that every party with members standing for election to the House of Commons shall have an election Manifesto of no more than eight points. The bills, not to exceed eight, each bill being no more than 5 pages, which embody the manifesto of the party of the Prime Minister shall not need the assent of the Senate, unless the monarch should exercise the veto.

Section 9 Authority of the Constitution and Laws

This Constitution, and the Laws of the Commonwealth Federation which shall be made in pursuance thereof; and all Treaties made, or which shall be made, under the Authority of the Commonwealth Federation, shall be the supreme Law of the Land; and the Judges in every Realm shall be bound thereby, anything in the Constitution or Laws of any Realm to the Contrary notwithstanding.