Parliament of Australia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Parliament of Australia |
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| 48th Parliament of Australia | |
Commonwealth Coat of Arms
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| Type | |
| Type | |
| Houses | Senate House of Representatives |
| History | |
| Founded | 1 January 1901 |
| Leadership | |
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Sam Mostyn
Since 1 July 2024 |
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Sue Lines, Labor
Since 26 July 2022 |
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Milton Dick, Labor
Since 26 July 2022 |
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| Structure | |
| Seats | 226 (76 Senators, 150 MPs) |
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Senate political groups
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Effective 1 July 2022 Government (26) |
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House of Representatives political groups
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Government (77) Labor (77) |
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Length of term
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Senate: 6 years for state senators, 3 years for territory senators (fixed except under double dissolution) House: 3 years (maximum) |
| Elections | |
| Single transferable vote (proportional representation) | |
| Full preferential voting | |
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Senate last election
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3 May 2025 (half) |
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House of Representatives last election
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3 May 2025 |
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Senate next election
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On or before 20 May 2028 (half) |
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House of Representatives next election
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On or before 23 September 2028 |
| Redistricting | Redistributions at least every seven years by the Redistribution Committee |
| Meeting place | |
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| Senate Chamber | |
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| House of Representatives Chamber | |
The Parliament of Australia is where Australia's laws are made. It is also known as the Federal Parliament. This important group has three main parts. These are the King of Australia (represented by the Governor-General), the Senate, and the House of Representatives. The Parliament uses ideas from both the British and American systems. It helps make sure our country is run fairly and effectively.
The Senate is often called the "upper house." It has 76 members. Each of Australia's six states has 12 senators. The two self-governing territories each have two senators. Senators are chosen using a special voting method. This method helps many different political parties get a chance to be represented. Since 2007, no single party has had a majority in the Senate. This means parties often need to work together to pass new laws.
The House of Representatives is known as the "lower house." It currently has 150 members. Each member is elected from a specific area, called an "electorate." The voting system used here usually leads to two main political groups. These are the Coalition and the Labor Party. The group with the most members in the House of Representatives forms the government. Their leader becomes the Prime Minister.
The House of Representatives can serve for up to three years. However, elections can happen sooner. State senators serve fixed six-year terms, with half of them elected every three years. Territory senators are elected every three years. This means elections for both houses usually happen at the same time. If the Senate repeatedly blocks a law passed by the House, a special process called a double dissolution can happen. This can lead to an election for all Senate seats.
Both houses of Parliament meet in separate rooms. These rooms are inside Parliament House. This large building is located on Capital Hill in Canberra. Members of the House of Representatives meet in the "Green Room." Senators meet in the nearby "Red Room."
Contents
- A Journey Through Time: Parliament's History
- Who Makes Up Our Parliament?
- How Parliament Works: Making Decisions
- What Does Parliament Do?
- When Houses Disagree: Double Dissolution
- Working in Committees
- Parliament and the Government
- The Senate's Special Role
- Who Helps Parliament Run?
- Special Rules for Parliamentarians
- What Our Parliamentarians Earn
- Watching Parliament in Action
- Images for kids
- See also
A Journey Through Time: Parliament's History
Early Days in Melbourne (1901–1927)
Australia became a united country on January 1, 1901. This was when the six Australian colonies joined together. The first election for the new Parliament happened in March 1901. Prince George, who later became King George V, officially opened the first Parliament. This event took place on May 9, 1901, in Melbourne. The only building big enough for the 14,000 guests was part of the Royal Exhibition Building.
From 1901 to 1927, the Parliament met in Parliament House, Melbourne. They borrowed this building from the Parliament of Victoria. During this time, Sir Frederick Holder was the first Speaker. He was also the only Member of Parliament to pass away during a sitting. This happened on July 23, 1909, after a long debate.
Old Parliament House (1927–1988)
The Australian Constitution said a new national capital should be built. This was a compromise because Sydney and Melbourne both wanted to be the capital. In 1908, Canberra was chosen as the capital city. A competition was planned to design Parliament House. However, it was delayed due to World War I.
Eventually, John Smith Murdoch, the chief architect for the Commonwealth, designed the building. Construction of what is now called Old Parliament House began in 1923. It was finished in early 1927. The building cost about £600,000, much more than expected. It was meant to be used for only 50 years. But it ended up serving for over 60 years.
The Duke and Duchess of York (who later became King George VI and Queen Elizabeth) opened the building on May 9, 1927. The opening was grand, even though Canberra was still quite small. The building was decorated with many flags. Crowds gathered on the lawns outside. A Wiradjuri elder, Jimmy Clements, was one of the few Aboriginal Australians present. He had walked for about a week to be there. The Duke of York unlocked the doors with a golden key. He then opened the first parliamentary session in the new Senate Chamber.
Our Current Parliament House (1988–Present)
In 1978, the government decided to build a new Parliament House. It would be located on Capital Hill. A design competition was held, and 329 entries came from 29 countries. The winning design was by Mitchell/Giurgola, an architectural firm from Philadelphia. The main architect was Romaldo Giurgola. His design involved building most of the Parliament House under Capital Hill. It featured a huge spire topped with a large Australian flag. The new building was designed to look like it sat above Old Parliament House from a distance.
Construction started in 1981. It was hoped to be ready by Australia Day, January 26, 1988. This was for Australia's 200th anniversary. However, it was not finished on time or within budget. It ended up costing over $1.1 billion.
New Parliament House was finally opened by Queen Elizabeth II on May 9, 1988. This date was special. It was the anniversary of the first Federal Parliament opening in Melbourne (1901). It was also the anniversary of the Provisional Parliament House opening in Canberra (1927).
In March 2020, the Parliament had to pause its normal meetings. This was due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia. Committees continued their work using technology. This was a new and unusual step.
Who Makes Up Our Parliament?
The Constitution sets up the Commonwealth Parliament. It has three parts: the King of Australia, the Senate, and the House of Representatives.
The King and Governor-General
The King of Australia is our Head of State. However, the King lives overseas. So, the Governor-General acts as the King's representative in Australia. The Governor-General is appointed by the King. This is done on the advice of the Prime Minister.
In Parliament, the King (through the Governor-General) shares law-making powers. A proposed law, called a bill, needs the Governor-General's approval to become a law. This approval is called royal assent. The Governor-General always acts on the advice of ministers. This means they follow the decisions of the elected Parliament.
Senators and How They Are Chosen
The Senate is the upper house. It has 76 members. Its design combines ideas from both British and American systems. Like the United States Senate, each state gets the same number of senators. This is true no matter how many people live in that state. This gives smaller states an equal voice.
Each of the six original states has 12 senators. The Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory each have two senators. Northern Territory senators also represent people on Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands. ACT senators represent the ACT, Jervis Bay Territory, and Norfolk Island. State senators serve six-year terms. Half of them are elected every three years. Territory senators serve three-year terms and are elected at every federal election.
Senators are chosen using a system called single transferable vote. This system helps smaller parties win seats. It allows for a wider range of voices in Parliament.
Members of the House and How They Are Chosen
The House of Representatives is the lower house. It has 150 members. Each member represents a specific area, or electorate. The number of members in the House must be about twice the number of senators. This is a rule in the Constitution.
Each state gets seats based on its population. But every original state is guaranteed at least five seats. The territories also have representatives. Members of the House are elected using full preferential voting. This system helps ensure that the winning candidate has support from a majority of voters. The party with the most members in this House forms the government.
Who Can Be a Parliamentarian?
To be elected to either house, a person must be an Australian citizen. They cannot be a citizen of any "foreign power." When Australia's Constitution was written, all Australians were British subjects. But now, Britain is considered a "foreign power." So, British citizens cannot be Australian parliamentarians.
Everyone Must Vote!
In Australia, voting in federal elections has been compulsory since 1924. This means all eligible citizens must vote. This rule was introduced because voter turnout was low in earlier elections. After compulsory voting started, turnout rose significantly. It has stayed high ever since. Since 1973, Australians can vote once they turn 18 years old.
How Parliament Works: Making Decisions
Leaders of the Houses
Each house has a leader. The Senate's leader is called the President. The House of Representatives' leader is called the Speaker. These leaders are chosen by secret vote. They usually come from the party in government. Their job is to manage debates and make sure rules are followed fairly.
Making Sure Enough People Are Present
For a house to meet, a certain number of members must be present. This is called a quorum. In the Senate, 19 members are needed. In the House of Representatives, 31 members are needed. Sometimes, members might not notice if a quorum isn't present. This allows routine discussions to continue. But if the opposition wants to delay things, they might "call a quorum." Then, proceedings stop until enough members arrive.
How Votes Are Taken
Most decisions are made by a voice vote. The leader asks for "Aye" (yes) or "No" votes. They then announce the result. If at least two members disagree, they can ask for a "division." This is a recorded vote. Bells ring throughout Parliament House to call members to the chamber. Members who support the motion go to the right side of the room. Those against it go to the left. Their votes are then counted.
In the Senate, the President can vote like other senators. If there's a tie, the motion fails. In the House of Representatives, the Speaker does not usually vote. But if there is a tie, the Speaker casts the deciding vote.
How a Bill Becomes a Law
Most new laws start in the House of Representatives. They go through several steps to become law.
- First Reading: The proposed law, called a bill, is introduced.
- Second Reading: Members discuss the main ideas of the bill and vote on it.
- Committee Stage: Sometimes, a committee looks closely at the bill and suggests changes.
- Consideration in Detail: The House reviews each part of the bill and can make amendments.
- Third Reading: The House votes one last time to pass or reject the bill.
If the House passes the bill, it goes to the Senate. The Senate follows a similar process. Once both houses pass the bill in the same form, it goes to the Governor-General for royal assent. Once the Governor-General signs it, the bill becomes a law.
What Does Parliament Do?
Making Laws for Australia
The main job of Parliament is to create laws. Any member of Parliament can suggest a new law. However, bills about money (like taxes or spending) must start in the House of Representatives. Most bills are introduced by government ministers. Bills introduced by other members are called "private members' bills." All bills need to be passed by both the Senate and the House. Then, the Governor-General must approve them to become law.
The Parliament's power to make laws is set out in the Constitution. It can make laws on topics like taxes, foreign affairs, defence, and marriage. States also have their own law-making powers. Sometimes, states can ask the Commonwealth to make laws on certain matters.
The Parliament can also give money to states. It can set conditions on how this money is used. These are called "tied grants." They help the federal government influence state policies, like those for hospitals and schools.
Discussing Important Issues
Besides making laws, Parliament does other important things. Members can discuss urgent issues or matters of public importance. This allows for debates on big topics affecting the country. Senators and members can also raise issues important to their local communities. They can even propose votes of no confidence in the government or individual ministers.
Almost every day Parliament meets, there is a "question time." During this time, members can ask questions to the Prime Minister and other ministers without warning. Members can also present petitions from their constituents. Both houses have many committees. These committees discuss bills, investigate public policies, and question government officials. There are also joint committees with members from both houses.
When Houses Disagree: Double Dissolution
What Happens When Bills Are Blocked?
Sometimes, the Senate and the House of Representatives cannot agree on a bill. If the House passes a bill, but the Senate rejects it or makes changes the House won't accept, a special process can begin. If this happens again after three months, the Governor-General can dissolve both the Senate and the House of Representatives. This is called a double dissolution.
After a double dissolution, a new election is held for all Senate seats. Normally, only half of the state Senate seats are up for election. When all seats are contested, it can be easier for smaller parties to win seats.
The 1975 Supply Crisis (Simplified)
If the disagreement continues even after a double dissolution election, the Governor-General can call a joint sitting of both houses. In a joint sitting, all members from both houses meet together to vote on the bill. If the bill passes with a majority vote, it becomes law. This has only happened once, after the 1974 double dissolution election.
A famous disagreement happened in 1975. The Senate refused to pass the government's budget bills. This meant the government could not get the money it needed to operate. The Prime Minister, Gough Whitlam, argued that his government should stay in power. The opposition argued that the government should resign or call an election. The Governor-General, Sir John Kerr, stepped in. He dismissed the Prime Minister and appointed a new caretaker Prime Minister. This new Prime Minister then called an election. This event caused a lot of discussion about the Senate's power to block money bills.
Working in Committees
Why Committees Are Important
Besides the main meetings, both the Senate and the House of Representatives have many committees. These committees investigate and check on government activities. They look at bills and other important topics. Committees allow all members and senators to ask questions. They can question ministers and public officials. They also hold inquiries and examine policies and laws. After an inquiry, a committee writes a report. This report is presented to Parliament. It shares what they found and any suggestions they have.
Special Powers of Committees
Parliamentary committees have important powers. One key power is to ask people to attend hearings. They can ask people to give evidence and provide documents. If someone tries to stop a committee's work, they can be found in "contempt of Parliament." This means they have disrespected Parliament. Examples include refusing to appear, refusing to answer questions, or lying to a committee.
Committee meetings are treated like official Parliament meetings. What is said in committees is recorded. Everyone involved, including members and witnesses, is protected by "parliamentary privilege." This means they cannot be sued for what they say during a hearing.
Different Types of Committees
There are several types of committees:
- Standing committees are permanent. They review bills, government budgets, and annual reports.
- Select committees are temporary. They are set up to look into a specific issue. They finish their work once their report is published.
- Domestic committees manage Parliament's own affairs. This includes how bills are handled and matters of privilege.
- Legislative scrutiny committees check laws and rules. They make sure they are fair and accountable.
- Joint committees include members from both the House and the Senate. They can be permanent or temporary.
Parliament and the Government
Choosing Our Leaders
The Governor-General has the power to appoint and dismiss ministers. Ministers are in charge of government departments. In practice, the Governor-General follows tradition. They appoint the leader of the party with the most seats in the House of Representatives as Prime Minister. Then, on the Prime Minister's advice, they appoint other ministers. These ministers usually come from the winning party or group of parties.
The Cabinet and Executive Council
These ministers form a group called the Cabinet. Cabinet meetings are private. They happen once a week to discuss important issues and make policies. The Constitution does not officially recognise the Cabinet. It works based on tradition.
The Cabinet's decisions are then formally approved by the Federal Executive Council. This is Australia's highest formal government body. The Governor-General almost always follows the advice of the Executive Council. This gives the Council real power.
Sometimes, a minister might not be a member of Parliament when first appointed. But they must become a member of either the Senate or the House within three months. This rule helps ensure that ministers are accountable to the people.
The Senate's Special Role
More Than Just a Second Look
Unlike upper houses in some other countries, the Australian Senate is very active in making laws. It was designed to give each state an equal voice. This helps smaller states have more power in the federal government. The Senate also acts as a "house of review." It carefully checks laws passed by the House of Representatives.
Keeping an Eye on the Government
One of the Senate's key jobs is to scrutinise, or closely examine, government activities. For many years, the government party has often not had a majority in the Senate. This means the opposition and smaller parties can use their numbers in the Senate. They can conduct inquiries into how the government is operating. This helps keep the government accountable.
The Senate cannot start or change money bills. But it can delay or reject them. This means the Senate can stop the government from getting the money it needs. This power was at the heart of the 1975 constitutional crisis. It shows how important the Senate's role is in Australia's government.
Who Helps Parliament Run?
Four departments support the Australian Parliament:
- The Department of the Senate helps the Senate and its committees.
- The Department of the House of Representatives supports the House and its committees.
- The Department of Parliamentary Services (DPS) provides many services. These include research, the Parliamentary Library of Australia, broadcasting, and security.
- The Parliamentary Budget Office (PBO) helps make government spending clear. It provides cost information to parliamentarians.
Special Rules for Parliamentarians
What is Parliamentary Privilege?
Members of Parliament do not have special legal immunity. They can be arrested and tried for crimes. However, they do have "parliamentary privilege." This means they cannot be sued for things they say in Parliament. This protection also applies to media reports of what is said in Parliament. It also covers what is said in parliamentary committees.
This privilege helps members speak freely and openly. It ensures they can do their job without fear of being sued. In 1987, the Parliamentary Privileges Act was passed. This law made the rules about privilege clearer.
Respecting Parliament
There is a legal offence called "contempt of Parliament." This means disrespecting Parliament or its members. A person found guilty of contempt can face penalties. For example, in 2007, an activist was found guilty of contempt. She had created fake press releases from a Federal MP as a prank. This shows that actions outside Parliament can also be considered contempt.
What Our Parliamentarians Earn
The salaries of parliamentarians are decided by an independent group. This group is called the Remuneration Tribunal. As of July 1, 2025, a federal parliamentarian's basic annual salary is $239,270. Parliamentarians also receive allowances for things like travel. Those who are ministers or hold other special roles get an additional salary. For example, the Prime Minister receives a much higher salary.
Watching Parliament in Action
You can listen to Parliament on the radio. Radio broadcasts started on July 10, 1946. They are now on ABC News radio, a channel just for this purpose. It broadcasts 24 hours a day.
The first time Parliament was shown on TV was in 1974. Regular TV broadcasts of "question time" began in the 1990s. Question time from the House of Representatives is shown live. The Senate's question time is recorded and shown later. Other events, like the budget speech, are also televised.
In 2009, a pay TV channel called A-SPAN (now Sky News Extra) started. It broadcasts live sittings and committee meetings. The Parliament House website also offers free live streams of both chambers and committee hearings. This makes it easy for everyone to see how Parliament works.
Images for kids
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The Big Picture, opening of the Parliament of Australia, 9 May 1901, by Tom Roberts
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The House of Representatives chamber at Old Parliament House
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The Senate chamber at Old Parliament House
See also
In Spanish: Parlamento de Australia para niños
- List of legislatures by country
