Comparative legislative speed in the Aotearoa New Zealand and Australian (Federal) parliaments

This is a working paper first presented at the ICON-S conference in Madrid on 8 July 2024.

This paper begins by discussing the importance of legislative speed, examining its impact on deliberation and public engagement. The rationale for selecting Australia as a comparator for New Zealand is then explored, highlighting key similarities and differences between the two legislative systems. The analysis proceeds with a detailed examination of legislative speed in Australia, illustrated through recent examples. This is followed by an exploration of legislative speed in New Zealand, including an analysis of the time taken for bills to progress through various stages. The paper then delves into the explanations for the differences in legislative speed between the two countries, focusing on procedural conventions, public engagement expectations, and mechanisms for expediting legislation. The concluding section summarizes the findings, discusses their implications for legislative efficiency and public engagement, and suggests areas for further research.