Australian Senate

Australian Senate
Sodacan · Public domain · source
Name	Australian Senate
Legislature	Parliament of Australia
House type	Upper house
Body	Parliament of Australia
Leader1 type	President
Leader1	Sue Lines
Party1	Labor
Election1	26 July 2022
Leader2 type	Leader of the Government
Leader2	Penny Wong
Party2	Labor
Election2	1 June 2022
Leader3 type	Manager of Government Business
Leader3	Katy Gallagher
Party3	Labor
Election3	1 June 2022
Leader4 type	Leader of the Opposition
Leader4	Simon Birmingham
Party4	Liberal
Election4	5 June 2022
Members	76
Political groups1	Government (26), Labor (26), Opposition (32), Liberal (25), Nationals (6), CLP (1), Crossbench (18), Greens (12), One Nation (2), Jacqui Lambie Network (2), United Australia (1), Independent (1)
Voting system1	Single transferable vote
Last election1	21 May 2022
Meeting place	Senate Chamber, Parliament House, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory
Website	https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Senate

Australian Senate. The upper house of the bicameral Parliament of Australia, it is composed of 76 senators representing the six states and two mainland territories. Modeled in part on the United States Senate, its primary roles include reviewing legislation, scrutinising government activity, and representing state interests. The chamber is renowned for its robust committee system and its proportional representation electoral method.

History

Established by the Constitution of Australia at Federation in 1901, its structure was a key compromise during the Constitutional Conventions of the 1890s. The first parliament opened in the Royal Exhibition Building in Melbourne. Significant historical developments include the Statute of Westminster Adoption Act 1942 and the Australia Act 1986, which severed residual colonial links to the Parliament of the United Kingdom. The landmark Joint Sitting of 1974 resolved a deadlock over the Medibank legislation. Its permanent home has been Parliament House in Canberra since 1988.

Composition and electoral system

The Senate comprises 76 members: each of the six original states elects 12 senators, while the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory each elect two. Senators serve fixed six-year terms for states and three-year terms for territories, with half the state senators facing election every three years at a half-Senate election. Elections use the Single transferable vote system of proportional representation, a method championed by figures like Catherine Helen Spence. This system, combined with group voting tickets until their abolition, has historically facilitated the election of minor parties such as the Australian Democrats and the Australian Greens.

Powers and functions

Often described as a house of review, it possesses co-equal legislative power with the House of Representatives except for the restriction that it cannot originate or amend money bills. It holds significant power to reject, amend, or delay legislation, which can lead to a double dissolution trigger under Section 57 of the Constitution. It plays a crucial role in scrutinising the executive through mechanisms like Question Time and Estimates hearings. The Senate must also approve certain executive actions, including treaties and significant public service appointments.

Procedure

Proceedings are governed by Standing Orders and presided over by the President. A typical sitting day includes formalities, Question Time, and debates on government business. The Usher of the Black Rod performs ceremonial duties. Unique procedural features include the ability for senators to move "that the question be now put" to curtail debate. The chamber's operations are supported by the Clerk and the Department of the Senate.

Committees

The committee system is a cornerstone of its work, allowing for detailed investigation into policy, legislation, and government administration. Key types include Standing Committees for ongoing scrutiny, Select Committees for specific inquiries, and Estimates Committees which examine budget expenditures. Notable inquiries have been conducted by committees such as the Print Media Inquiry and the 'Children Overboard' affair inquiry. These committees often travel nationally to take evidence from the public, experts, and officials.

Current Senate

Following the 2022 election, the governing Australian Labor Party holds 26 seats and does not command a majority. The Coalition opposition, comprising the Liberal Party, the Nationals, and the CLP, holds 32 seats. A significant crossbench of 18 senators holds the balance of power, dominated by the Greens with 12 members, alongside One Nation, the Jacqui Lambie Network, the United Australia Party, and an independent. Key figures include President Sue Lines, Government Leader Penny Wong, and Opposition Leader Simon Birmingham.

Category:Parliament of Australia Category:National upper houses Category:1901 establishments in Australia