Auslan Update 5 May - 2022 Federal Election: House of Representatives and Senate

In the Australian Parliament, there are two Houses – House of Representatives and Senate. The House of Representatives is also known as the Lower House and consists of 151 members. Each member represents one of the 151 electorates around Australia. All electorates have approximately the same number of voters. The federal government is formed in the House by the party or coalition of parties. This occurs at election time when votes are counted. A member or candidate of each electorate must win more than 50 percent of votes to win a seat in the House. The House of Representatives is responsible for the following: • Representing the interests of people in their electorates • Deciding on national and international matters of interest • Proposing, debating, and voting on bills and amendments • Examining issues in committees • Scrutinising executive government through Question Time. The Senate, otherwise known as the Upper House, consists of 76 senators. Twelve senators represent each state, and two senators represent each territory. It shares the power with the House of Representatives to make laws. Senators are elected by proportional representation, where voters are required to either number all candidates or party on the white ballot paper in order of preference. This system allows minor parties and independents to win seats in the Senate and ensure no votes are wasted in single-member electorates. It also means that it is more difficult for a major party to get control of the Senate. The Senate is responsible for the following: • Representing the views of Australians • Discussing matters of national and international interest • Making and changing national laws through debating and voting on bills – similar to House of Representatives but is given to the Governor General for the Royal Assent after it passes the Senate. • Examining and scrutinising the work of the Government through Question Time and committees. Do you know who the candidates for your electorate are? You can find out here: https://www.aec.gov.au/election/candi... REFERENCES: Parliament of Australia. About the House of Representatives. Available at: https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliame... Parliamentary Education Office. House of Representatives. Available at: https://peo.gov.au/understand-our-par... Australian Electoral Commission. Forming federal Government. Available at: https://www.aec.gov.au/learn/formatio... Parliament of Australia. About the Senate. Available at: https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliame... Parliamentary Education Office. Senate. Available at: https://peo.gov.au/understand-our-par... Image Sources: ABC News.