Ruqayyah Snyder
The Parliament of Australia, also known as the Federal Parliament, is the federal legislature of Australia. It consists of three elements: the monarch of Australia (represented by the governor-general), the Senate (the upper house), and the House of Representatives (the lower house). The two houses of Parliament meet in separate chambers of Parliament House (except in rare joint sittings) on Capital Hill in Canberra, Australian Capital Territory. The Senate is often referred to as the 'state's house' or the 'house of review' and plays a joint role with the House of Representatives in reviewing, debating, and voting on proposed laws. The House of Representatives has a maximum term of three years, although it can be dissolved early. The Senate has fixed terms, with half of the state senators' terms expiring every three years.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of members | 151 |
| Term of members | 3 years maximum |
| Election process | Full-preferential voting |
| Powers | Nearly equal to the Senate; consent of both Houses needed to pass legislation |
| Presiding officer | Speaker |
| Quorum | 31 |
| Meeting place | Separate chambers of Parliament House on Capital Hill in Canberra, Australian Capital Territory |
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What You'll Learn
The House of Representatives
Under the Westminster system, the government and the Prime Minister must achieve and maintain the confidence of the House to gain and remain in power. The leader of the party or coalition with a majority in the House typically becomes the Prime Minister. The House of Representatives, therefore, holds significant power in the Australian political system.
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The Senate
The Parliament of Australia, also known as the Federal Parliament or Parliament of the Commonwealth, is the federal legislature of Australia. It consists of three elements: the monarch of Australia (represented by the governor-general), the Senate (the upper house), and the House of Representatives (the lower house).
In summary, the Senate is an essential component of Australia's federal legislature, providing representation for the states and territories, and playing a key role in scrutinizing and passing legislation. It operates in conjunction with the House of Representatives and the monarch of Australia, represented by the governor-general, to form the decision-making body of the federal government.
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Powers of the two houses
The Parliament of Australia is the federal legislature of Australia. It consists of three elements: the monarch of Australia (represented by the governor-general), the Senate (the upper house), and the House of Representatives (the lower house).
The House of Representatives currently consists of 151 members, elected by and representing single-member districts known as electoral divisions (commonly referred to as "electorates" or "seats"). The number of members is not fixed but can vary with boundary changes resulting from electoral redistributions, which are required regularly. The House of Representatives has a maximum term of three years, although it can be dissolved early.
The Senate, the upper house, consists of 76 members: twelve for each state and two for each of the self-governing territories. Senators are elected using the proportional system, and as a result, the chamber features a multitude of parties vying for power. The Senate has fixed terms, with half of the state senators' terms expiring every three years (the terms of the four territory senators are linked to House elections).
The powers of both Houses are nearly equal, with the consent of both Houses needed to pass legislation. The difference mostly relates to taxation legislation. The Senate is also often referred to as the "state's house" or the "house of review" and plays a joint role with the House of Representatives in reviewing, debating, and voting on proposed laws.
Each of the two Houses elects a presiding officer. The presiding officer of the Senate is called the President, and that of the House of Representatives is the Speaker. Elections for these positions are by secret ballot. Both offices are conventionally filled by members of the governing party, but the presiding officers are expected to oversee debate and enforce the rules in an impartial manner.
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Elections and voting
Australia's two houses of government are the House of Representatives and the Senate. Elections for members of the House of Representatives have been held in conjunction with those for the Senate since the 1970s.
The House of Representatives currently consists of 151 members, elected by and representing single-member districts known as electoral divisions or electorates. The number of members is not fixed and can vary with boundary changes resulting from electoral redistributions, which are required regularly. The upcoming 2025 election will see 150 seats elected. Each division elects one member using full-preferential voting, meaning that voters rank candidates in order of preference. This system was first introduced in 1918, and the ballot papers are green.
The requirements for territory seats are set by legislation, which currently stipulates that the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory must have at least one member each. Electorates must have a population of 21,343, with a permitted variation of 10%. Larger rural districts are allowed more flexibility, with a permitted variation of 20%.
The term of members of the House of Representatives is a maximum of three years from the first sitting of the House, although the House is usually dissolved earlier. The date of federal elections is determined by the Prime Minister, who advises the Governor-General to dissolve one or both houses and issue writs for election.
Voting procedures are in place to ensure a smooth process. Polling officials are available at polling places to assist voters in completing their ballot papers. If a mistake is made, the voter can return the ballot paper and receive a fresh one. Ballot papers that do not comply with the rules are deemed informal and cannot be counted.
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The role of the governor-general
The Parliament of Australia, also known as the Federal Parliament or the Parliament of the Commonwealth, is the federal legislature of Australia. It consists of three elements: the monarch of Australia (King Charles III), the Senate (the upper house), and the House of Representatives (the lower house).
The Governor-General is the representative of the monarch, King Charles III, in Australia. The Governor-General is appointed by the monarch and takes an oath of allegiance to the monarch. They are only permitted to take advice from the elected Australian government and act in accordance with the democratically elected houses of Parliament. The Governor-General performs similar duties to the Monarch, such as giving Royal Assent to laws, and has "reserve powers" that can be used to resolve a constitutional crisis. They also have the power to appoint and dismiss the "King's Ministers of State", who administer government departments.
In addition, the Governor-General ensures that the constitution is respected and followed at all times. They act as an umpire or mediator in the political scene, remaining independent, non-partisan, and objective. The Governor-General is not the head of state, but since they perform almost all national regal functions, they have occasionally been referred to as such in political and media discussions.
The Governor-General is not influenced by the UK government or the monarch, who is king in name only. The Governor-General has the authority to dismiss the government, not the king. They are the local representatives of the sovereign and perform the same duties as they carried out historically, though their role is now mostly ceremonial.
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Frequently asked questions
The two houses of the Australian Federal Parliament are the House of Representatives (the lower house) and the Senate (the upper house).
The House of Representatives is made up of members, each representing a separate division or electorate in Australia. The number of members is not fixed and can vary with boundary changes resulting from electoral redistributions. The House of Representatives has a maximum term of three years, although it can be dissolved early.
The Senate is often referred to as the 'state's house' or the 'house of review' and plays a joint role with the House of Representatives in reviewing, debating, and voting on proposed laws. The Senate has 76 members: twelve for each state and two for each of the self-governing territories. Senators are elected using the proportional system, resulting in a variety of parties competing for power. The Senate has fixed terms, with half of the state senators' terms expiring every three years.
