Analysis of information sources in references of the Wikipedia article "Reading (legislature)" in English language version.
As no question is proposed or put, no debate can take place at the first reading stage.
The motion for the first reading of bills which the Senate may not amend, unlike the equivalent stage of amendable bills, may be debated. This variation in respect of non-amendable bills is necessary because, in compliance with the provision of section 53 of the Constitution that a request for an amendment may be made at any stage, requests may be moved on the motion for the first reading of such a bill.
The motion for the first reading is put and determined without amendment or debate, except in relation to a bill which, under section 53 of the Constitution, the Senate may not amend. The Senate has the opportunity to reject a bill at the first reading stage, but in practice the first reading is normally passed without opposition and is regarded as a purely formal stage.
Any Motion not seconded may not be further debated, but is forthwith dropped, and no entry thereof is made in the Journals.
A seconder is not required for a motion.
