Notes of the roles of the senate and the role pf the house of representatives in Australian parliment

House of Representatives

One of the two houses of Parliament in Australia responsible for proposing and voting on new laws.

Legislation

The process of proposing, debating, and enacting laws.

Members of the House of Representatives (MPs)

Elected officials who represent specific electoral divisions in the House.

Government Formation

The process whereby the party or coalition with a majority of seats in the House forms the government.

Prime Minister

The leader of the party that holds the majority in the House of Representatives.

Scrutiny of the Government

The process of holding the government accountable through debates, questions, and inquiries.

Budget and Finance

Areas in which the House has exclusive rights to introduce and amend financial legislation.

Senate

The upper house of the Australian Parliament that reviews and amends legislation.

Representation of States

The Senate's role to ensure all states and territories have a voice in the legislative process., 12 senators from each state

Check on Government Power

The Senate's function to act as a balance against government actions and policies.

Amendment

A proposal to change a bill during its review in the Senate.

Approval of Appointments

The Senate's authority to approve or reject certain government appointments.

Electoral Divisions

The geographical areas represented by Members of the House of Representatives. 150 in Australia

Bills

Proposed laws that can be introduced in either the House or the Senate.

Committee Inquiries

Investigations conducted by committees to scrutinize government actions.

Voting

The process by which members of Parliament decide on legislation.

Constituents

The individuals represented by elected Members of Parliament.

State Representation

Ensures smaller states have equal representation in the Senate regardless of population.

Legislative Process

The series of steps through which bills are introduced, debated, and voted on.

Government Accountability

The principle that requires government to answer to the public and Parliament.

Federal Budget

The financial plan proposed by the government, primarily introduced in the House of Representatives.