Democracy, Government and Public Participation > Structures of National Government and Public Participation in These Structures > Public Participation in the Process of Making Laws and Policies at the National Level > When Can You Participate During the Law-Making Process?
When Can You Participate During the Law-Making Process?
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When Can You Participate During the Law-Making Process?
There are critical key moments in the law-making process when it is best to lobby. These are linked to:
- the stage in the process of developing law
- knowing the institution and person involved (who has the power to make changes)
| Law-Making Stage | Institution/Role-Players | Opportunity for Input | ||||||
| 1. Bill Tabled in Parliament | • National Assembly • Minister • Party Whips | |||||||
| 2. Bill Referred to Parliamentary Committee Which Holds Public Hearings | • Parliamentary Committee • Department | • Written Submissions • Oral Representations • Informal Lobbying • Media Pressure | ||||||
| 3. Committee Debates Bill and Refers It Back to Parliament | • Parliamentary Committee | • Written Comment • Informal Lobbying • Oral Representations • Media Pressure • Lobbying Related Structures | ||||||
| 4. Debate and Vote on Bill | • Parliament and NCOP | • Written Comment • Public Hearings (NCOP) • Media Pressure | ||||||
| 5. Bill Sent to President’s Office for Signature | • President’s Office | • Letter of Objection • Media |
Example:
| 2005 | • Technical study team appointed to review water management policy |
| 2006 | • Green Paper on water management policy for South Africa published |
| 2007 January | • Deadline for comments (on green paper) |
| 2007 January to July | • Executive (cabinet) approves broad policy principles of draft White paper • Draft White Paper on water management policy published |
| 2007 August | • Deadline for written submissions (on White Paper) • Parliamentary committee briefed on draft White Paper |
| 2007 August to October | • Parliamentary committee holds public hearings |
| 2008 up to May | • Draft White Paper amended and adapted |
| 2008 up to May | • Executive (cabinet) approves final draft of White Paper |
| 2008 May | • Copy of draft bill sent to various government departments • Parliamentary committee (portfolio committee) briefed on draft bill |
| 2008 July | • Draft Water Management Bill published • Deadline for comments on draft bill |
| 2008 August | • Changes made to bill • Public hearings in parliament |
| 2008 September | • Parliamentary committee debates bill and refers bill to parliament • National Assembly passes bill |
| 2008 September to October | • Bill referred to National Council of Provinces • Passed by NCOP with amendments |
| 2008 November | • Parliamentary committee agrees to amendments • Refers bill to National Assembly |
| 2008 6th November | • National Assembly accepts changes • Refers bill to president’s office |
| 2008 27th November | • President signs the bill and it is published in the Government Gazette |
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