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| Western Australian Parliament | |
|---|---|
| Name | Western Australian Parliament |
| Legislature | Parliament of Western Australia |
| Founded | 1890 |
| House type | Bicameral |
| Houses | Legislative Assembly, Legislative Council |
| Leader1 type | Monarch |
| Leader1 | Charles III |
| Leader2 type | Governor |
| Leader2 | Chris Dawson |
| Meeting place | Parliament House, Perth |
Western Australian Parliament is the bicameral legislature of the Australian state of Western Australia, established at responsible self-government in 1890 and operating within the constitutional framework of the Commonwealth of Australia. It comprises the Legislative Assembly and the Legislative Council, with roles and privileges shaped by colonial, imperial, and federal precedents such as the Magna Carta, the Bill of Rights 1689, and the Australian Constitution. The institution interacts with offices and actors including the Premier of Western Australia, the Governor of Western Australia, political parties such as the Australian Labor Party (WA), the Liberal Party (WA), and the National Party (WA).
The legislature evolved from earlier colonial councils like the Council of Western Australia and the colonial Legislative Council into a responsible parliamentary system in 1890 alongside other settler institutions such as the first Assembly. Key moments include the introduction of responsible government under the 1890 Constitution Act, debates around franchise reform influenced by movements such as the Chartism, the enfranchisement of women following global reforms exemplified by New Zealand general election, 1893 and the Commonwealth Franchise Act 1902, and twentieth-century shifts during crises including the Great Depression and the Second World War, which reshaped party dynamics alongside figures like Sir John Forrest, local politicians, and later premiers who navigated federal tensions with the Menzies Government. Postwar developments included electoral redistributions influenced by cases such as McGinty v Western Australia and reforms responding to pressure from civil society groups like the Australian Council of Trade Unions.
The parliament is bicameral: a lower house, the Legislative Assembly, and an upper house, the Legislative Council. The Assembly is the chamber where formation of the premier and executive confidence occurs, with members representing electoral districts like Kimberley, Perth and Fremantle. The Council uses regions such as Agricultural Region and Mining and Pastoral Region. Leadership posts include the Speaker, the President, party leaders and committee chairs drawn from members of parties such as the Greens Western Australia and minor parties including Pauline Hanson's One Nation. Parliamentary staffing, serjeants-at-arms, floor managers and clerks support proceedings, often coordinating with entities like the Parliamentary Library of Western Australia.
Statutory and conventional powers derive from the Constitution Acts Amendment Act 1899 and the Australian Constitution. Primary functions include lawmaking, scrutiny of the premier and ministers through question time and committees such as the Public Accounts Committee, budgetary approval including appropriation bills interacting with the Treasurer of Western Australia, and representation of constituents from regions including Goldfields–Esperance. The parliament may summon and discipline members, exercise privileges in line with precedents from the House of Commons of the United Kingdom and adjudicate contested elections via processes akin to those in the High Court of Australia when constitutional issues arise.
Bills originate in either house subject to restrictions on money bills originating in the Assembly. Typical stages mirror Westminster practice: first reading, second reading, committee or consideration-in-detail stage, third reading, and consideration by the other chamber. Committees such as the Constitutional Affairs Committee and joint select committees examine policy areas including mining legislation affecting areas like Pilbara, environmental statutes often intersecting with interests represented by the Environmental Defender's Office, and statute law revision influenced by judgments from the Supreme Court of Western Australia. Vetoes and amendments can prompt negotiation with the Governor of Western Australia for assent; reserve powers and conventions derive from interactions with offices such as the Governor-General of Australia in federal matters.
The executive is drawn from the legislature under conventions similar to those in the Parliament of the United Kingdom. The premier and cabinet, often formed from the Labor or Liberal leadership, answer to the parliament through mechanisms like no-confidence procedures and estimates hearings. Judicial review from courts such as the Supreme Court of Western Australia and references to the High Court of Australia can invalidate statutes conflicting with the Australian Constitution or federal legislation such as the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth), with landmark decisions affecting parliamentary authority and native title claims involving groups like the Yindjibarndi people.
Elections are regulated under acts such as the Electoral Act and administered by the Electoral Commission of Western Australia. Voting systems include optional preferential voting in the Assembly and proportional representation using the single transferable vote in the Council, with redistributions reflecting demographics in regions like Swan Hills and population centres including Perth, Albany, and Bunbury. Representation debates have engaged civil society and legal actors such as the Western Australian Local Government Association and produced reforms following inquiries led by figures comparable to former commissioners and electoral law reviews.
Parliament sits at Parliament House, Perth, a site linked to Perth precincts including St Georges Terrace and nearby institutions like the Western Australian Museum. The complex houses chambers for the Assembly and Council, committee rooms, the Parliamentary Library of Western Australia, and heritage elements connected to architects and builders involved in projects across Perth history, with public galleries enabling access by citizens represented in electorates such as Fremantle and Scarborough. Security and visitor services coordinate with agencies including the Western Australia Police Force and event partnerships with cultural bodies like the Perth Festival.
Category:Parliaments in Australia