Ruqayyah Snyder
The Australian Parliament and the Australian Government are distinct concepts in the country's political system. The Parliament is a bicameral legislature, consisting of the monarch (represented by the governor-general), the Senate, and the House of Representatives. It is responsible for making and amending laws, with the monarch sharing law-making powers equally with the two houses. On the other hand, the Government is a subset of the Parliament, formed by the party or coalition with a majority in the House of Representatives. The Government introduces bills, implements laws, and formulates national policies. It is accountable to the Parliament and can be scrutinised by other parliamentarians, including the opposition and independent members.
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What You'll Learn
Membership
The Parliament of Australia, also known as the Commonwealth Parliament, is the legislative branch of the country's government. It is responsible for creating and passing laws. The Parliament is made up of two houses: the House of Representatives and the Senate. Members of the House of Representatives are elected by the people and represent specific geographical areas called electorates or constituencies. On the other hand, senators are elected to represent their entire state or territory. Each state is represented by an equal number of senators, while the territories have a smaller number of representatives.
The House of Representatives is considered a lower house in the Australian parliamentary system, similar to other Westminster-style governments. Members of this chamber are referred to as 'Members of Parliament' or 'MPs'. They are elected for a term of up to three years, although the House can be dissolved earlier by the Governor-General, triggering a 'double dissolution' of both houses and leading to a federal election.
The Senate, as the upper house, plays a crucial role in reviewing and amending legislation. Senators are referred to as 'Senators' and are elected for a term of six years, with half of the senators representing the states being elected every three years. This staggered election process ensures continuity and stability in the Senate, providing a balance to the more frequent changes in the lower house.
While the Parliament creates and passes laws, the Australian Government, also known as the Federal Executive, is responsible for implementing and administering those laws. The Government comprises the Prime Minister and other ministers, who are appointed by the Prime Minister and are responsible for specific policy areas. The Government is formed by the political party or coalition that holds a majority of seats in the House of Representatives following a general election.
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Roles and responsibilities
The Australian Parliament and the Australian Government are not the same thing, although the government is part of the parliament. 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). The Senate consists of 76 members: twelve for each state and two for each of the self-governing territories. Senators are elected using a proportional system, resulting in a multitude of parties competing for power. The House of Representatives, on the other hand, uses a full preferential voting system.
The Australian Government, on the other hand, is accountable to the Parliament and can be scrutinised by other members of parliament, including the opposition, minor parties, and independents. The government is formed by the party or coalition of parties that gain the support of the majority of members elected to the House of Representatives. The leader of the government, known as the Prime Minister, is a member of the House of Representatives. The government's roles and responsibilities include:
- Introducing bills, or ideas for new laws, into Parliament: The government initiates the process of creating new laws or amending existing ones by proposing bills.
- Implementing laws through government departments: Once a bill is passed by Parliament, the government is responsible for putting it into action through its various departments and agencies.
- Developing national policies: The government formulates plans of action for various areas of governance, including immigration, the environment, justice, consumer affairs, health, education, forestry, public transport, and main roads.
- Managing party discipline: The government enforces party discipline, a system of rewards and punishments for MPs, to ensure that its members support it in votes in both houses of Parliament.
- Leading the country: The Prime Minister, as the head of the government, represents and speaks for the country on the world stage.
- Representing constituents: Members of the government are also members of Parliament, representing their respective divisions or electorates in Australia.
It is important to note that members of Parliament can wear different "hats". For example, a member of Parliament may also be a member of the government, the opposition, or an independent. Their roles and responsibilities may vary depending on their specific positions and affiliations.
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Scrutiny and accountability
The Australian Government is accountable to the Parliament and can be scrutinised by other members of parliament, including the opposition, minor parties, and independents. Members of parliament can scrutinise the work of the government in a variety of ways, including during Question Time and Senate estimates. This is an example of the institution of Parliament holding the government accountable for its actions.
During Question Time, which is conducted every day that each House meets, government ministers in the House and the Senate take questions from non-government members about their portfolios and decisions. Questions may be asked by anyone from the Opposition parties, independent members, or backbench members of the government.
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. The monarch of Australia, currently King, legally shares co-equally the law-making powers of the Commonwealth with the Senate and the House of Representatives. As such, their royal assent, usually expressed by the governor-general, is required for a bill to become an act and thus part of the law.
The government does not formally advise the governor-general to grant assent, but it is expected that they will act in accordance with the democratically elected houses of Parliament. Assent has never been refused. The governor-general is also responsible for representing the King in Australia and can dissolve Parliament and call a general election.
In addition to Question Time, the government is also scrutinised through Senate estimates, where members of parliament can ask questions of government ministers and public servants about the budget and administration of their departments. This provides an opportunity for members of parliament to examine the government's spending and policies in detail and hold them accountable for their use of public funds.
The party rooms are also important, especially to the Government, as they provide the "numbers" for each side in votes in Parliament. Party discipline, a system of rewards and punishments imposed on MPs by their parties, usually ensures that the government is supported by its members in votes in both houses. The party rooms also elect the leaders of each party, and the Prime Minister can be brought down by their party room.
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Voting systems
Australia's voting system is a complex process that involves multiple elements, including compulsory voting, preferential voting, and proportional representation. Here is an overview of the key aspects of Australia's voting system:
Compulsory Voting
Australia has a system of compulsory voting, which means that it is mandatory for all eligible citizens to cast their votes in elections. This stands in contrast to other democratic countries where voting is voluntary. The rationale behind compulsory voting is to ensure a high level of civic participation and to create a sense of shared responsibility among citizens. While some have criticised this system as being disreputable or paternalistic, it has been defended by prominent figures who argue that it strengthens the democratic process.
Preferential Voting
Australia uses a preferential voting system, where voters are required to rank candidates in order of their preference. This means that voters must number all the candidates on the ballot paper, and failure to do so, or errors in numbering, can render the ballot invalid. This system allows for a more nuanced expression of voter preferences and can help ensure that elected officials have broader support.
Proportional Representation in the Senate
The Australian Senate, which is one of the two houses of Parliament, uses a proportional voting system. This system enables the representation of multiple parties and independents, as candidates only need to receive a set percentage (quota) of votes in their state or territory to be elected. This has resulted in a more diverse range of senators, with a higher proportion of independent and minor party representatives compared to the House of Representatives.
The House of Representatives
The other chamber of Parliament, the House of Representatives, is elected from single-member constituencies, known as "electoral divisions" or "seats". Each voter in these divisions elects one person (a Member of Parliament) to represent them. The party or coalition that gains the majority of seats in the House of Representatives forms the government, and their leader becomes the Prime Minister.
Ballot Paper Design
The design of the ballot paper is an important aspect of the voting process. In the past, voters could mark a single box above a line, triggering a pre-assigned sequence of preferences known as a "group voting ticket". However, reforms in 2016 abolished this system, introducing optional preferential voting and allowing for party logos on the ballot paper.
Australia's voting system, with its compulsory voting, preferential ranking, and proportional representation, aims to ensure a robust and representative democracy. While there have been debates and adjustments to the system over time, the overall framework shapes the country's political landscape and determines the composition of its Parliament and government.
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Leadership
The Australian Parliament and the Australian Government are distinct concepts with different leadership structures. The Parliament is a federal legislature that consists of three elements: the monarch (King or Queen), the Senate (upper house), and the House of Representatives (lower house). The Senate and the House of Representatives together form the legislative branch of the Australian government, known as the Federal Parliament.
The leadership of the Parliament includes the monarch, represented by the Governor-General, who has a role in assenting to bills for them to become laws. The Senate is led by the President, who runs its meetings, while the Speaker of the House of Representatives leads the meetings of the lower house.
On the other hand, the Australian Government is a part of the Parliament and is led by the Prime Minister, who is a member of the House of Representatives. The Prime Minister is the leader of the party that wins the majority of seats in the House of Representatives during federal elections. The government also includes other ministers who are responsible for implementing policies and introducing bills to Parliament.
While the Government is accountable to the Parliament, it is important to distinguish between being a member of the Government and a member of Parliament. Members of Parliament can be from the governing party or the opposition, and they scrutinise the work of the government. The Leader of the Opposition is typically from the largest party or coalition of parties that are not in government, and they play a critical role in holding the government accountable.
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Frequently asked questions
The Australian Parliament and the Australian Government are not the same thing. The Parliament is made up of the King or Queen (represented by the Governor-General), the Senate, and the House of Representatives. The Government, on the other hand, is a part of the Parliament and is formed by the party or coalition of parties with the support of the majority of members elected to the House of Representatives.
The leader of the Australian Government is the Prime Minister, who is a member of the House of Representatives.
The Australian Parliament makes new laws and amends existing ones. It combines elements from the Westminster system and the United States Congress.
The Australian Parliament consists of two houses: the Senate (the upper house) and the House of Representatives (the lower house). The Senate has 76 members, with 12 each from the six original states and two from each of the self-governing territories. The House of Representatives has a maximum term of three years.
The Australian Government is accountable to the Parliament and can be scrutinised by its members. The Parliament holds the Government accountable through various means, including Question Time, where government ministers take questions from non-government members.
