Parliament of Victoria facts for kids
The Parliament of Victoria is like a special team that makes the rules, also known as laws, for everyone living in the state of Victoria, Australia. This team has two main parts, called houses. One is the Legislative Assembly, and the other is the Legislative Council.
The Legislative Assembly has 88 members, and the Legislative Council has 40 members. When people vote in an election, the political group (or party) that gets the most members in the Legislative Assembly usually forms the government. The leader of this group becomes the Premier of Victoria, who is like the head of the state government. For example, in 2014, the Labor Party won the election, and their leader, Daniel Andrews, became the Premier.
There's also a third important part of the Parliament: the Crown. This represents Queen Elizabeth II. In Victoria, the Queen is represented by the Governor of Victoria. The Governor helps make sure the laws are followed correctly. The Parliament meets in a grand building called Parliament House, located on Spring Street in Melbourne. This building was also used by the Parliament of Australia for many years, from 1901 to 1927.
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Making Laws for Victoria
The Parliament of Victoria works hard to create and change laws that affect daily life for people across the state. These laws cover many things, like schools, hospitals, roads, and how businesses operate. The goal is to make sure Victoria is a good place to live and work.
The Two Houses of Parliament
Victoria's Parliament has two main parts, often called "houses." Each house has a different job in making laws.
The Legislative Assembly
This is often called the "lower house." It has 88 members, and each member represents a specific area of Victoria. When you vote in a state election, you vote for someone to represent your local area in the Legislative Assembly. The political party that wins the most seats in this house usually forms the government. This house is where most new laws are first suggested and debated.
The Legislative Council
This is known as the "upper house." It has 40 members. Unlike the Legislative Assembly, members of the Legislative Council represent larger regions of Victoria. Their main job is to review the laws that have been passed by the Legislative Assembly. They can suggest changes or even reject a law if they think it's not good for Victoria. This helps ensure that laws are carefully thought out before they become official.
Who Leads the Government?
The leader of the political party that has the most members in the Legislative Assembly becomes the Premier of Victoria. The Premier is the head of the state government and leads a team of ministers who are in charge of different areas, like health or education. Together, they work to put the laws into action and manage the state.
The Role of the Governor
The Governor of Victoria represents the Queen. The Governor has several important duties, including officially opening Parliament, approving new laws, and swearing in the Premier and ministers. This role helps to make sure that the government follows the rules and traditions of the state.
Parliament House: Where Laws Are Made
The Parliament House building in Melbourne is a very important place. It's where all the members of the Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council meet to discuss and vote on new laws. The building has special rooms for debates, meetings, and offices for the members of Parliament. It's a place where important decisions are made that shape the future of Victoria.
Images for kids
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Victorian Legislative Assembly chamber
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Victorian Legislative Council chamber
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Knight Kerr Room, often used by Parliamentary Committees for meetings
