Leslie Massey
The Australian Senate is one of two houses of the Australian Parliament, also known as the upper house. The Senate plays an active role in legislation and is made up of 76 senators. Each state elects the same number of senators, meaning there is equal representation for each of the Australian states, regardless of population. There are currently 12 senators representing each state and 2 senators representing each territory.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of senators per state | 12 |
| Number of senators per territory | 2 |
| Total number of senators | 76 |
| Minimum number of senators per state | 6 |
| Number of states | 6 |
| Number of territories | 2 |
| Number of senators per state in 1948 | 6 |
| Number of senators per state in 1984 | 10 |
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What You'll Learn
There are 12 senators representing each state
The Australian Senate is comprised of 76 senators in total. There are 12 senators representing each of the six states, and two senators representing each of the two territories. This means that each of the six Australian states—regardless of population—is represented by the same number of senators. This is in keeping with the Australian Constitution, which states that the Senate must comprise an equal number of senators from each original state.
The two territories, the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory, were given the right to elect two senators each for the first time in 1975, bringing the total number of senators to 64. Senators from the Northern Territory also represent constituents from Australia's Indian Ocean Territories, including Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands. Meanwhile, the senators from the Australian Capital Territory represent voters from the Jervis Bay Territory and Norfolk Island.
The number of senators from each state was increased from 10 to 12 in 1984, resulting in the current total of 76 senators. This is not the first time the number of senators has been increased. In 1948, Senate representation was increased from six to 10 senators for each state, bringing the total to 60.
The Senate is one of two houses of the Australian Parliament, the other being the House of Representatives. Senators are elected by the people of Australia in federal elections. The Senate plays an active role in legislation, with senators discussing matters of national and international importance and making and changing laws by debating and voting on bills.
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Senators are elected by the people of Australia
The Australian Senate is one of two houses of the Australian Parliament, the other being the House of Representatives. Senators are elected by the people of Australia in federal elections. The Senate is also referred to as the upper house. The Senate plays an important role in representing Australians and making laws. The drafters of the Australian Constitution modelled the Senate after the United States Senate, giving equal representation to each state. The Senate is made up of 76 senators, with 12 senators representing each state and 2 senators representing each territory. This means that each state elects the same number of senators, providing equal representation for each Australian state, regardless of population.
The Australian Constitution permits the Parliament to increase the number of senators, provided that equal numbers of senators from each original state are maintained. In 1948, Senate representation was increased from 6 to 10 senators for each state, resulting in a total of 60 senators. In 1975, the two territories, the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory, were given the right to elect 2 senators each, increasing the total number of senators to 64. The latest expansion in Senate numbers occurred in 1984, when the number of senators from each state was increased from 10 to 12, resulting in a total of 76 senators.
The Senate has fixed terms, with half of the state senators' terms expiring every three years. This means that House and Senate elections almost always coincide. Senators are elected for a fixed term, and the number of votes required for a candidate to be elected to the Senate is referred to as a "quota". This quota is calculated by dividing the number of formal votes by one more than the number of vacancies and then adding one to the result.
The Senate plays an active role in legislation and scrutinising government activity. Senators can discuss matters of national and international importance, and national laws are made and changed through debating and voting on bills. Senators can also move motions on a range of matters relevant to their constituents and can move motions of censure against the government or individual ministers. The Senate is a vital part of Australia's democratic process, ensuring that the views of Australians are represented and that laws are made and changed through a robust and transparent process.
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The Senate is also known as the upper house
The Senate is one of the two houses of the Australian Parliament, the other being the House of Representatives. The Senate is also referred to as the upper house. The Senate has 76 senators in total, with 12 senators representing each state and 2 senators representing each territory. Senators are elected by the people of Australia in federal elections. The Senate plays an important role in representing Australians and making laws. It is inspired by the British and United States systems of government. The Senate was modelled after the United States Senate, giving equal representation to each state. The Constitution intended to give less populous states a stronger voice in a federal legislature, while also providing for the revising role of an upper house in the Westminster system. The Senate has fixed terms, with half of the state senators' terms expiring every three years. The Senate has an active role in legislation, with the power to scrutinise government activity. It also has four viewing galleries, one of which is for the press gallery, while the other three are open to the public.
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The number of senators per state has increased over time
The Australian Senate is one of two houses of the Australian Parliament, the other being the House of Representatives. The Senate is also referred to as the upper house. The Senate plays an active role in legislation and was modelled after the United States Senate, which gives equal representation to each state.
The Australian Constitution permits the Parliament to increase the number of senators, provided that equal numbers of senators from each original state are maintained. In 1948, Senate representation was increased from 6 to 10 senators for each state, increasing the total to 60. In 1975, the two territories, the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory, were given the right to elect two senators each, bringing the number to 64.
The latest expansion in Senate numbers took place in 1984, when the number of senators from each state was increased from 10 to 12, resulting in a total of 76 senators. This means that currently, twelve senators represent each state, and two senators represent each territory.
The Senate has fixed terms, with half of the state senators' terms expiring every three years. As a result, House and Senate elections almost always coincide.
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The Senate is inspired by the US system of government
The Australian Senate is comprised of 76 senators, with 12 senators representing each state and 2 senators representing each territory. The Senate is one of two houses of the Australian Parliament, the other being the House of Representatives. The Senate is also known as the upper house.
The Australian Senate draws inspiration from the US system of government in several ways. Firstly, the name 'Senate' itself was adopted from the United States Senate. Secondly, the principle of equal representation for each state was also borrowed from the US system. This meant that less populous states would have a stronger voice in the federal legislature, while also maintaining the traditional review functions of upper houses in the Westminster system. This unique blend of US and Westminster influences has led to the description of a ""Washminster system" to characterise Australian politics.
The Australian Senate, like its US counterpart, plays an active role in legislation and wields significant power. The Senate can scrutinise government activity and has the power to frustrate the legislative agenda of the government, even without having a majority. This dynamic has resulted in a pattern of non-government control of the Senate, where the government has had to rely on support from minor parties and independent senators to pass legislation.
Additionally, the overall model of the Australian federation, with independently governed states collaborating under a central federal government, reflects the influence of the US system of government. The Australian Senate's role in representing the views of Australians and discussing matters of national and international importance further underscores its inspiration from the US Senate.
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Frequently asked questions
Each Australian state has 12 senators.
Each territory has 2 senators.
There are 76 senators in total.
Senators have fixed terms, with half of the state senators' terms expiring every three years.
A quorum in the Senate requires 19 senators, which is one-quarter of the total membership.
