Lyla Lindsey
In Australian politics, a government whip is a member of the House of Representatives or a senator who manages their party during sitting weeks in Parliament. The role of the whip is to ensure party discipline and carry out functions on behalf of the party leadership. This includes ensuring that all members are present to take part in votes in the chamber and directing party members to stick to the party's stance on certain issues. The whip also directs members to vote as per the direction of senior party members. The chief whip is assisted by two deputy whips, and each political party chooses its whip. The role of the whip is essential to the day-to-day running of the house, and they assist in arranging the order of business on the floor.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of whips | Each of the three main parties appoints a chief whip, while the Australian Labor Party and Liberals have an additional two whips and the Nationals have one additional whip. |
| Appointment | Liberal Party whips are appointed by the leader of the party, while Australian Labor Party whips are elected by the Caucus. |
| Role | Ensure that all members and senators are present to take part in votes in the chamber, direct party members to stick to the party's stand on certain issues, assist the party business managers, draw up lists of speakers in debates, manage business in the parallel debating chamber, maintain a "pairs book", and count and record the votes. |
| Recognition | Australian whips do not hold official office but are recognised for parliamentary purposes. |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Who appoints the whips
In Australia, each political party chooses its own whips. Liberal Party whips are appointed by the leader of the party, while Australian Labor Party whips are elected by the Caucus.
In the Australian House of Representatives, each of the three parliamentary parties elected one whip in 1901, the first year of its first session. The Labor and Free Trade parties each appointed a whip in the Senate, while the Protectionist Party, which formed the government, did not appoint a whip.
The appointment of a second official whip in the House of Representatives appears to have begun with the Commonwealth Liberal Party, which appointed "joint Ministerial whips" in 1913. The Nationalist Party, formed from a merger of the Commonwealth Liberal Party and National Labor, continued this practice until 1923, when it formed a coalition with the Country Party. From then on, each party contributed one whip.
Today, each of the three main parties appoints a chief whip, while the Australian Labor Party and Liberals each have an additional two whips, and the Nationals have one additional whip. The current Chief Government Whip in the House of Representatives is Joanne Ryan of the Australian Labor Party, who has held the position since 31 May 2022.
Applying for a Quarantine Exemption: Australia's Process Simplified
You may want to see also
Explore related products
What whips are responsible for
Whips are responsible for a variety of tasks, primarily related to managing their party during sitting weeks in the Australian Parliament. They are essential to the day-to-day running of the house.
One of the key responsibilities of whips is to ensure that all members of their party are present and vote together during divisions, maintaining quorum and preventing censure motions. They also count and record the votes during these divisions.
Whips also assist in arranging the order of business on the floor, including creating lists of speakers in debates, which helps the occupant of the chair decide whom to call on. They play a significant role in managing business in the parallel debating chamber, the Federation Chamber.
Additionally, whips are responsible for negotiating 'pairs' from opposing parties, ensuring that numbers between the government and opposition remain balanced when members are absent. They meet with whips from other parties to plan what will be discussed during sitting days.
In the British context, whips also report to the prime minister on any potential backbench revolts and the general sentiment among MPs within the party. They use a combination of threats and promises to secure compliance with the party line and protect the prime minister.
In the Australian context, whips are appointed by the leader of the party or elected by the Caucus, depending on the party. The chief whip is typically assisted by two deputy whips, and their role is crucial in maintaining party discipline and carrying out tasks on behalf of the party leadership.
Honey Badger Habitat: Exploring Australia's Wild Regions
You may want to see also
Explore related products
How many whips there are
The number of whips in Australia has increased over time as the number of members of parliament and the amount of business before the House has increased.
In 1901, each of the three parliamentary parties elected one whip in the House of Representatives. The Protectionist Party, which formed the government, did not appoint a whip as it did not require the confidence of the Senate to survive. However, a whip was appointed for a brief period.
In 1913, the Commonwealth Liberal Party appointed "joint Ministerial whips", beginning the practice of appointing a second official whip in the House of Representatives. When the Nationalists and Country Party formed a coalition in 1923, each party contributed one whip.
In the 1960s, the Labor Party elected its first official deputy whip, and the position of Deputy Whip was created in the Labor Party at the request of Gil Duthie.
Today, each of the three main parties appoints a chief whip, while the Australian Labor Party and Liberals each have an additional two whips, and the Nationals have one additional whip. In total, there are currently 14 paid whips in Parliament: the Labor and Liberals each have five paid whips (three in the House and two in the Senate), the Nationals have two whips in the House of Representatives and one in the Senate, and the Greens have one whip in the Senate.
Solar Energy in Australia: Where is it Found?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
![Pretty Little Whips [Explicit]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81FRQ-AAQwL._AC_UL320_.jpg)
The history of whips
The concept of a deputy whip also emerged during this time, with references to assistant or deputy whips appearing in early press reporting. For instance, Alfred Conroy was referred to as Labor's assistant whip in a 1903 news report. The specific timing and formalisation of the deputy whip position, however, remain unclear.
In 1913, the Commonwealth Liberal Party appointed "joint Ministerial whips," marking the beginning of the appointment of a second official whip in the House of Representatives. These appointments persisted even after the party's fall from power and its merger with National Labor to establish the Nationalist Party.
The practice of having two whips continued until 1923 when the Nationalists and Country Party formed a coalition. At this point, each party contributed one whip, with the senior whip, also known as the "Chief Government Whip," being the one with more experience in the role.
Over time, the number of whips increased alongside the growing number of members of parliament and the volume of business before the House. Today, each of the three main parties appoints a chief whip, and additional whips are allocated based on the party's size. The current Chief Government Whip in the House of Representatives is Joanne Ryan of the Australian Labor Party, who has held the position since May 31, 2022.
Unhappy with Uber Eats Australia? Here's How to Complain
You may want to see also
Explore related products
How whips differ from the UK
In Australia, a whip is a senator or member of the House of Representatives who manages their party during sitting weeks in Parliament. Each parliamentary party has whips in the Senate and House of Representatives. The role is so varied and busy that the major parties have a chief whip and two deputy whips.
The most important function of the whip's office is to ensure that all members and senators are present to take part in votes in the chamber (maintaining quorum and preventing censure motions). They also draw up lists of speakers in debates, which (though not binding) assist the occupant of the chair in deciding whom to call on.
Whips exist to ensure party discipline and carry out a variety of other functions on behalf of the party leadership. They direct party members to stick to the party's stand on certain issues and direct them to vote as per the direction of senior party members.
Unlike in the United Kingdom, Australian whips do not hold official office, but they are recognised for parliamentary purposes. In practice, Australian whips play a lesser role than their UK counterparts, as party discipline in Australia tends to be tighter.
In the UK, the chief whip of the governing party in the House of Commons is customarily appointed as Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury, giving them a seat and a voice in the Cabinet. The government chief whip has an official residence at 12 Downing Street, although the chief whip's office is currently located at 9 Downing Street. Government whips report to the prime minister on any possible backbench revolts and the general opinion of MPs within the party.
UK whips have a notebook documenting MPs' indiscretions, and they help MPs in any sort of trouble in any way they can to "store up brownie points". If a whip's order is violated by a member of the same party, the whip can recommend immediate dismissal of that member from the house due to indiscipline, and the Speaker of the respective house can decide on the matter.
The Reserve Bank of Australia's Backing of Australian Dollars
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
A government whip is a senator or member of the House of Representatives who manages their party during sitting weeks in the Australian Parliament.
The government whip has many responsibilities, including:
- Ensuring party members attend and vote together during a division.
- Creating a list of party members to speak on bills and giving this list to the President of the Senate or Speaker of the House of Representatives.
- Negotiating 'pairs' from opposing parties to keep numbers balanced between the government and opposition when members are away.
- Counting and recording votes during a division.
Each of the three main parties appoints a chief whip. The Australian Labor Party and Liberals each have an additional two whips, and the Nationals have one additional whip.
Each political party chooses who they want as their party whip. Liberal Party whips are appointed by the leader of the party, while Australian Labor Party whips are elected by the Caucus.
No, Australian whips do not hold official office, unlike in the United Kingdom. However, they are recognised for parliamentary purposes.
