Parliament of Australia

The Parliament of Australia is the legislative branch of Australia. According to Section 1 of the Constitution of Australia, Parliament consists of the Queen of Australia, the House of Representatives (the "lower house"), and the Senate (the "upper house" or "house of review"). The Queen is normally represented in Australia by the Governor-General. The Parliament of Australia is modelled on the Parliament of the United Kingdom and, to a lesser extent, the Congress of the United States.

Procedure

Each of the two Houses elects a presiding officer. The presiding officer of the Senate is called the President; that of the House is the Speaker. Elections for these positions are by secret ballot. Both offices are filled by members of the governing party, but the presiding officers are expected to oversee debate and enforce the rules in an impartial manner.

Related Topics:
President - Speaker

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The Constitution authorises Parliament to set the quorum for each chamber. The quorum of the House of Representatives is one-fifth of the total membership (thirty); that of the Senate is one-fourth of the total membership (nineteen). In theory, if a quorum is not present, then a House may not continue to meet. In practice, members usually agree not to notice that a quorum is not present, so that debates on routine bills can continue without other members having to be present. The Opposition will only "call a quorum" if they wish to annoy the government or delay proceedings. It is the responsibility of the Government whips to ensure that if a quorum is called enough Government members are present to make up a quorum and ensure legislation passes.

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Both Houses may determine motions by voice vote: the presiding officer puts the question, and, after listening to shouts of "Aye" and "No" from the members, announces the result. The announcement of the presiding officer settles the question, unless at least two members demand a "division," or a recorded vote. In that case the bells are rung throughout Parliament House summoning Members or Senators to the chamber. During a division, members who favour the motion move to the right side of the chamber, whereas those opposed move to the left. They are then counted by the "tellers" (Government and Opposition whips), and the motion is passed or defeated accordingly. In the House of Representatives, the Speaker does not vote, except in case of a tie (see casting vote). In the Senate, in order not to deprive a state of a vote in what is supposed to be a states' house, the President votes along with other Senators; in the case of a tie, the motion fails.

Related Topics:
Voice vote - Division - Casting vote

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