The House of Representatives
The lower house of the Commonwealth Parliament is known as the House of Representatives. It is designed to represent the interests of the nation. Each member of the House of Representatives is directly elected by the voters of Australia. The vote is conducted according to the preferential system of voting. The number of representatives from any state varies according to the population of the state. Members of the House of Representatives are elected from areas called electorates. Each electorate represents an area with approximately equal numbers of voters. The Constitution provides that no state shall have less than five representatives. Each representative is responsible to the electorate that elected them to represent its interests. The Constitution allows parliament to increase or decrease the total number of members in the House of Representatives. This is to meet the statutory requirement that the number of members shall be as near as practicable to twice the number in the Senate.
The House of Representatives is seen as having six key roles:
Making and Breaking the Law. Aldous, Jules et al. pp. 26-27.
The House of Representatives is seen as having six key roles:
- Making laws The main function of the House of Representatives is to make laws. Any member can introduce a proposal for a new law. However, most proposals come from members of the government. To become a law, the proposal must receive the approval of both houses of parliament.
- Determining government The party, or parties in coalition with a majority in the lower house forms government. To remain in government, the party must maintain the support of the majority of members in the lower house.
- Providing for representative government Members of the House of Representatives are elected to represent areas of approximately the same number of electors. The electoral system ensures that the House of Representatives represents the interests of the majority of voters.
- Providing responsible government Individual members of the House of Representatives have the opportunity to present the views of their electorate by presenting petitions or raising issues with ministers during question time.
- Scrutinising government The House of Representatives plays an important role in providing for responsible government. In the House of Representatives, legislation is debated, ministers make policy statements, matters of public importance are discussed and ministers are questioned during question time.
- Controlling government spending The government can only collect taxes or allocate the spending of public money if a law is passed by parliament.
Making and Breaking the Law. Aldous, Jules et al. pp. 26-27.