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AUSTRALIA'S PARLIAMENTARY SYSTEM


The Australian Parliament is a westminster-style parliamentary democracy which performs a number of important functions;


- To "Make and Break" Governments
- To represent the electorate
- To legislate / make laws
- To hold the government accountable for its actions
- To monitor the expenditure of public funds
- To be a forum for debate
- To be a forum for the expression of grievances


The Australian Federal Parliament is in Canberra, and has two "houses" - the Lower and Upper House.


ALL ACTS OF PARLIAMENT MUST BE PASSED THROUGH THE TWO SETS OF ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES AND SIGNED BY THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL BEFORE THEY CAN BECOME A LAW.


The House of Representatives
(The Lower House)


"The House has 150 Members. Each Member represents an electoral division. The boundaries of these electorates are adjusted from time to time so that they all contain approximately equal numbers of electors—because of the distribution of Australia's population they vary greatly in area (from a few square kilometres to over two million square kilometres). Members are elected by a system known as preferential voting, under which voters rank candidates in order of preference". 
www.aph.gov.au


It's functions;


- Makes laws
- Determines the Government
- Publicises and scrutinises government administration
- Represents the people
- Controls government expenditure

The House of Representatives Chamber

The Senate
(The Upper House)


"The Senate currently consists of 76 senators, elected by a system of proportional representation. Twelve senators represent each of the six states, elected for a period of six years. A system of rotation, however, ensures that half the Senate retires every three years. The four senators who represent the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory are elected concurrently with members of the House of Representatives and the duration of their terms of office coincide with those for that House (a maximum of three years)".
www.aph.gov.au


It's functions;
- Keeping informed and in touch with the community views
- Debating ideas and policies
- Reviewing proposed laws (if a law is refused, it is sent back to the House of Representatives)

The Senate Chamber