The House of Representatives

Photographer : Hengest

The House of Representatives is one of the two houses that make up the Australian Parliament. For starters, it’s important to realise that this Lower House is not called the House of ‘Representatives’ for nothing—the guys sitting in parliament are representing you. Their powers and functions have a direct effect on the everyday lives of Australians, so it’s pretty important that we understand how it all works.

The House of Representatives has 150 Members. Each Member of this House represents an electoral division in Australia. These Members are elected by Australians through a system known as preferential voting. As the name suggests, under this voting system, voters rank candidates in order of preference. Each House of Representatives may continue for up to three years, after which general elections for a new House must be held.

The make up of the House of Representatives is very significant. After an election, the political party which has the most Members in the House of Representatives becomes the Government of Australia. This means that the leader of the winning party becomes the Prime Minister of Australia and the party’s Members and Senators are appointed as Government Department Ministers.

Functions

Law making

The House of Representatives is the main law making body of the Australian Government. Its main job is the consideration and passing of new federal laws and the making of amendments or changes to existing laws.

Controls government spending

The government cannot collect taxes or spend money unless it is allowed by laws passed by the House of Representatives. These laws are called appropriation bills.

Represents the people

Members of the House may present petitions from citizens and raise citizens' concerns and complaints. Members also raise issues of concern with Ministers and government departments.

Government accountability

This House is the main forum in which the government of the day is made to account for its actions. There are several ways in which the government is open to scrutiny by both the opposition party and the public.

• Ministerial Statements—during House sittings, Ministers have to make prepared statements about government policy, or other matters for which they have ministerial responsibility.
• Matters of Public Importance (MPI’s)—this is a discussion on a single and specific topical issue. This topic is usually introduced by the Opposition and is often a criticism of the government’s handling of an issue.
• Question Time—this is the period of the day during which the Government responds to questions put by the opposition—and may ask its own questions in return. During this time the parties usually try to highlight their own achievements and discredit the other side.
• Presentation of government documents—Ministers must present and table government documents in the House. These documents include reports of government agencies and investigations into government administrative matters.

When do they do this?

The House of Representatives sits in session from February to March, May to June and August to December. During these periods the House meets in blocks of two sitting weeks followed by two non-sitting weeks. Normally the House sits from Monday to Thursday each sitting week.

These sittings operate according to the House ‘standing orders.’ The ‘standing orders’ govern all aspects of the House, ranging from the times of its sessions, to the type and order of business that is undertaken. The House’s elected Speaker presides over these sittings and is responsible for the order and administration of the House.

How do I know this?

Department of the House of Representatives 2004, ‘A typical sitting day’, House of Representatives infosheet, http://www.aph.gov.au/house/info/infosheets/is02.pdf

Department of the House of Representatives 2004, ‘Making Laws’, House of Representatives infosheet, http://www.aph.gov.au/house/info/infosheets/is07.pdf

Department of the House of Representatives 2004, ‘Finding out about The House’, House of Representatives infosheet, http://www.aph.gov.au/house/info/infosheets/is12.pdf

Parliament of Australia, House of Representatives http://www.aph.gov.au/house/info/general/index.htm