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Our parliament: 6. Representation

6.1 What is a representative democracy?

In a representative democracy the people vote for candidates to represent their interests in parliament. Australia is a representative democracy.

Members of parliament are elected representatives of the Australian people. The election process provides for each Australian to be represented by one member and up to 12 senators in the federal Parliament.

Members of parliament represent constituent views by speaking on behalf of the people who live in their electorate or state. They can also represent other groups of people such as various business leaders, community groups and sporting associations.

Members of parliament have offices in Parliament House and also in their electorates or states. Electorate staff assist constituents with inquiries and make appointments for constituents to meet their federal member or senator to discuss their concerns.

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6.2 How do you become a representative in the Parliament of Australia?

To become a representative in the Parliament of Australia you must:

To receive votes you must:

To represent a political party you must:

  • win a pre-selection ballot run by the party.

In Australia it is mostly the candidates representing political parties who win seats in the Parliament.

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6.3 What is an election?

An election is the process by which people vote to choose representatives in parliament. Elections for the House of Representatives and the Senate (the Australian Parliament) are held at least every three years. The Australian Constitution, together with the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918, define how often elections are to be held and how they are to be organised.

The Act states that every Australian aged 18 years and over who is on the electoral roll must attend a polling booth (for the purpose of voting) in elections for representatives in the federal Parliament.

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6.4 Who calls an election?

The Australian Prime Minister decides the date for the federal election. The Governor-General can choose to accept or reject this advice. If the Governor-General agrees to an election the Parliament is dissolved and parliamentary business stops until a new parliament is elected and the opening ceremony conducted.

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6.5 How is an election won?

An election is won by the party or coalition of parties which forms government having achieved a majority of members in the House of Representatives.

In Australia, governments face regular and constitutionally required federal elections that are called at least every three years, although a government may choose to go to the polls ahead of a required election date.

By voting at elections for the House of Representatives the people of each Australian electorate select a person to represent them in the House. By selecting their representatives voters indirectly select the nation’s government since an election is won by the party or coalition of parties that becomes the government having won a majority of seats in the House of Representatives.

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6.6 What happens after an election?

When the results for all electorates have been declared the Electoral Commissioner certifies the names of the successful candidates and returns the writs to the Governor-General, who in turn forwards them to the Clerk of the House of Representatives.

The time and date for the new Parliament to assemble is fixed by the Governor-General by proclamation and acting on the advice of the government. The Parliament may meet as soon as the writs have been returned and, under the Constitution, must meet no later than 30 days after the last day appointed for the return of the writs.

The validity of an election may be challenged by petition if it is alleged that a candidate was not eligible to become a member or if it is claimed that there has been some irregularity in the election process.

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6.7 What is an electorate?

Electorates are geographical areas defined by a voting population. Australia is currently divided into 150 electorates with, on average, 85,000 voters. Boundaries of electorates are changed by the Australian Electoral Commission who decides the shape, size and population of each electorate according to rules in the Australian Constitution and the electoral Act.

During a federal election the people of each Australian electorate cast a vote for a candidate on the ballot paper to represent them and their electorate in the House of Representatives. The Australian Constitution states that federal elections must be held every three years.

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6.8 What is a state?

A state is a geographical area. Australia is currently divided into six states (New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, Tasmania, Western Australia, South Australia) and two territories (Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory).

Each of the six original colonies became Australian states in 1901 when Australia federated. Each state retained its pre-federation shape, size and population. Australian states are governed by state governments based in the state capital which is the largest city in each state.

During a federal election the people of each Australian state cast votes for candidates to represent them and their state in the Senate. Currently 12 senators are elected per state. To earn a seat in the Australian Parliament, candidates must win a proportion or quota of the total vote for that state.

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6.9 What is a territory?

A territory is a geographical area which is part of Australia, but not a state, and having its own legislature. Australian territories are administered by the federal government.

Australia has two mainland territories—the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory. In 1911, the Northern Territory transferred from South Australia to the Commonwealth. In 1909, the area chosen to form the Australian seat of governance was transferred from New South Wales to the Commonwealth. This area is known as the Australian Capital Territory.

Section 122 of the Australian Constitution allows the Parliament to legislate for the representation of territories. During a federal election territorians cast votes for candidates to represent them and their territory in the House of Representatives and the Senate. Due to smaller populations, only two members are elected to represent each territory in the House. In the Senate, two senators are elected to represent each territory, not 12 as for the states. Territory senators hold office for the same term as members of the House of Representatives, (three years or less) not six years as is the normal term for state senators.

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6.10 What is a plebiscite?

A plebiscite is a national ballot on a question of national importance. A plebiscite requires Australians to vote.

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6.11 How many plebiscites have been held in Australia?

There have been three plebiscites since 1901. Two of the plebiscites sought approval for military conscription during World War I, and both were defeated. The third plebiscite, in 1977, asked Australians to choose an Australian national song from a choice of four. They chose Advance Australia Fair. Plebiscites are not legally binding and are not used to change the Australian Constitution.

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6.12 What is a referendum?

A referendum is a vote by all voters on the electoral roll on a bill to change the Australian Constitution.

Section 128 of the Constitution requires that a proposal to amend the Constitution must first take the form of a bill submitted to the Parliament. Between two and six months after it leaves the Parliament, the proposal is submitted to voters in all states and territories in the form of a referendum. To be successful the proposal must achieve a double majority:

  • a majority of voters nationwide
  • a majority of voters in a majority of states (that is, in at least four of Australia’s six states).

In addition, if a proposal affects an individual state rather than all states generally, the proposal must also obtain majority approval in the state concerned.

A total of 44 questions have been put since Federation. Only eight have achieved the required double majority (18.2%).

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