Parliament Notes
Roles of the Houses of Parliament
Commonwealth Parliament
Structure
The Crown: Governor-General
Lower House: House of Representatives
Upper House: The Senate
House of Representatives
Lower House of Commonwealth Parliament
151 members elected for 3 years.
Each member represents an electoral division.
Members are known as Members of Parliament (MPs).
Current Composition (as of 18/04/2024):
Government: Australian Labor Party (78 members)
Opposition: Liberal Party, The Nationals, Country Liberal Party (55 members)
Independents: 12 members
Minor Parties: Australian Greens (4), Centre Alliance (1), Katter's Australian Party (1)
Roles in Law-Making
Initiate and make laws
Determine government
Act as a house of review
Control government spending
Represent the people of Australia
Role: Initiate and Make Laws
Main function.
Most bills originate here, introduced by the government.
Bills undergo an extensive legislative process involving debate and scrutiny.
Role: Determine Government
The party with the majority of seats forms the government.
The government must maintain the majority support to remain in power.
Impact:
Allows the government to introduce bills aligning with their policies.
Government bills are likely to pass due to party-line voting and majority.
Role: Represent the Views of the People
Members represent electorates.
Members should represent constituents' views in parliament.
Impact: Members may support or oppose bills based on constituent views, influencing bill passage.
Role: Act as a House of Review
Applies if a bill originates in the Senate as a private member's bill.
The House reviews, debates, and votes on bills from the Senate.
Impact: Lack of government support can hinder passage.
Role: Scrutinise Government Administration
Opposition and crossbench members hold the government accountable through questions.
Committees review government decisions and policies.
Impact: Prevents abuse of power.
The Senate
Upper House of Commonwealth Parliament.
76 members elected for 6 years (half retire every 3 years).
Equal representation: 12 senators per state, 2 per territory.
Members are called Senators.
Current Composition (as of 02/04/2024):
Government: Australian Labor Party (26 senators)
Opposition: Liberal, Nationals, LNP, CLP (31 senators)
Minor Parties: Australian Greens (11 senators), Pauline Hanson's One Nation (2 senators), Jacqui Lambie Network (1 senator), United Australia Party (1 senator), Independents (4 senators)
Roles in Law-Making
Act as a house of review
Represent the states and territories
Initiate bills
Scrutinise bills and government administration
Role: Act as a House of Review
Reviews bills passed by the House of Representatives.
Senators debate, research, and propose amendments.
Impact: Can block bills if the government lacks a Senate majority; can force amendments.
Role: Represent the States & Territories
Senators represent their region.
Equal state representation (12 senators) regardless of population.
Territories have 2 senators.
Impact: Protects state interests; allows smaller states influence.
Role: Initiate Bills
Senators can initiate bills (except private money bills).
These are private members bills.
Impact: Difficult to pass without government support; can raise awareness and encourage debate.
Role: Scrutinise Government Administration
Senators scrutinise government policies and bills.
Opposition and cross-bench members ask questions.
Senate committees scrutinise legislation, activities, policy, and spending.
Impact: Identifies issues, pressures government for changes, informs Senators' votes.
Example: Senate Estimates Committee
Meets ~3 times a year for ~2 weeks.
Investigates government spending of taxpayer money.
Hearings examine government estimates for the financial year (1 July – 30 June).
6 senators: 3 government, 2 opposition, 1 minor party/independent.
Hearings are public, televised, and recorded in Hansard.
Impact: May reveal government practices and prompt improvements.
Victorian Parliament
Structure
The Crown: Governor
Lower House: Legislative Assembly
Upper House: Legislative Council
Legislative Assembly
Lower House of Victorian Parliament.
88 members elected for 4 years.
Each member represents an electoral division.
Members are called Members of Parliament (MPs).
Roles in law-making are the same as the House of Representatives but for Victoria rather than for Australia:
Initiate and make laws
Determine government
Act as a house of review
Control government spending
Represent the people of Victoria
Legislative Council
Upper House of Victorian Parliament.
40 members elected for 4 years.
5 members are elected for each region of Victoria.
Members are called Members of Parliament.
Roles in law-making are the same as the Senate but for Victoria, not the states and territories of Australia:
Act as a house of review
Represent the regions of Victoria
Initiate bills
Scrutinise bills and government administration
The Crown
The Governor-General (Federal Parliament)
Crown’s representative at a federal level in Australia.
Performs ceremonial functions as Head of State.
Appointed by the King on the advice of the Prime Minister.
The Governor (Victorian Parliament)
Crown’s representative at a state level in Australia.
Performs ceremonial functions as Head of State.
Appointed by the King on the advice of the Premier.
Roles in Law-Making
Granting royal assent
Withholding royal assent
Appointing the Executive Council
Role: Granting Royal Assent
Signing a bill after it passes both houses.
Indicates Crown’s approval.
Usually given on the advice of the Prime Minister or Premier.
According to Section 58 of the Constitution, a bill cannot become law without royal assent.
Role: Withholding Royal Assent
The Crown can refuse to give royal assent.
Section 58 of the Constitution says Governor-General can withhold royal assent.
Impact: If refused, the bill does not become law.
Role: Appointing the Executive Council
The Executive Council:
Made up of the leader of the government (Prime Minister or Premier) and ministers.
Responsible for administering and implementing the law.
The Crown swears in the Executive Council and the minister’s portfolios.
Impact: Appoints ministers, who oversee policy and legislation.