You are here: Home > FAQ > 10. Political parties

FAQ

OUr parliament: 10. political parties

10.1 What is a political party?

A group of people united in political purpose or opinion is a political party.

In Australia all political parties must:

top

10.2 What do political parties do?

Political parties are made up of members who work to get their candidates elected. Political parties:

  • develop policies that reflect party views on political issues and matters of public importance
  • represent interest groups and points of view in the community
  • select candidates to stand in elections for parliaments and local councils
  • run publicity campaigns to persuade voters to support their party agenda by voting for their candidate in elections.

top

10.3 What is a parliamentary party?

A parliamentary party is a party with at least one member elected to parliament.

top

10.4 What do parliamentary parties do?

Parliamentary parties try to ensure that their policies reflect the view of party members and are reflected in the laws passed by the parliament. To do this they organise blocks of votes to support or oppose particular bills. Parliamentary parties organise the vote on every issue that requires a decision and usually say in advance how their members will vote on any bill or issue. This makes it easier to predict whether a particular bill will pass or be defeated. They also coordinate the work of party members in the two houses.

Members of federal parliamentary parties usually meet once a week when parliament is sitting. During these party meetings members develop views and make decisions about issues arising in the Parliament, particularly how the party will vote on specific bills and motions.

top

10.5 What is 'crossing the floor'?

To cross the floor is a public demonstration of disagreement by a member or senator who votes against his or her party by crossing the floor of the chamber and sitting with the other side.

In the Australian Parliament, senators and members participating in a chamber vote almost always vote the same way as agreed by the party membership. On rare occasions however, members and senators may choose not to vote with their party. In these circumstances a member of parliament may choose to abstain (deliberately not attend the chamber for a vote) or cross the floor.

top

10.6 What is the role of a party whip?

Each party in each chamber has a whip.

The party whip is like a team manager, organising some of the party’s daily business and making sure that party members:

  • vote in the chamber
  • all vote the same way
  • have opportunities to speak on bills and issues of interest
  • are not absent from the chamber without permission.

Party whips may also discipline party members who speak against, or expose their party to embarassment.

top

10.7 What political parties exist at the federal level?

The two largest political parties represented in the current Parliament of Australia are the Australian Labor Party (ALP) and the Liberal Party of Australia (LPA).

Smaller parties include: the Nationals (the NATS—formerly the National Party of Australia) who are in coalition with the Liberal Party of Australia; the Australian Greens (AG); Family First (FFP); and the Country Liberal Party (CLP).

This mix of parties reflects the wide variety of beliefs and opinions held by Australians. In elections, voters usually vote for the candidate from the party that best represents their views on important issues.

Voters may also choose to vote for an independent candidate who does not belong to a political party.

top

10.8 What is an Independent?

An Independent is a member or senator elected to the Parliament who does not belong to a political party.

Independents sit between the government and opposition in both chambers. In the Senate, Independents (and senators from minor parties) are called crossbench senators. In the House of Representatives they are called non-government members.

On occasions a senator or member may resign from a party to become an Independent.

top

10.9 What is a coalition?

A coalition is two or more political parties joined together to form a government or an opposition. The current opposition of Australia is a coalition made up of the parliamentary members of the Liberal Party of Australia (LPA) and the Nationals (NATS). There is also one Country Liberal Party senator (CLP).

top