New Parline: the IPU’s Open Data Platform (beta)
Your one-stop-shop for information about national parliaments

Australia

-

House of Representatives

This is a bicameral parliament. Switch to theSenate
Political system Political systems: Presidential, Parliamentary, Presidential-Parliamentary, Monarchy, Communist, Transitional.
Parliamentary system
Compare data of this field.
Structure of parliament Structure of parliament: Unicameral, bicameral
Bicameral
Compare data of this field.
IPU membership Current membership status
Yes
See historical data for this field. Compare data of this field.

Oversight

Data on parliament’s oversight role and activities

Oversight tools

Parliament has the power to summon members of the government
Yes
Compare data of this field.
Source Legal documents that stipulate parliament's role.
House of Representatives standing order 249; House of Representatives Practice, Sixth Edn, p. 680.
Parliament has the power to summon senior government officials
Yes
Compare data of this field.
Source Legal documents that stipulate parliament's role.
House of Representatives Standing Order 254.
Parliament has the power to approve key government appointments Key government appointments include, for example, ambassadors or the head of the central bank.
No
Compare data of this field.
Source Legal documents that stipulate parliament's role.
Constitution, Section 67; Auditor General Act 1997; Public Accounts and Audit Committee Act 1951
Approximate number of government appointments subject to parliamentary approval
0
Number of written questions asked, per year
Not available
See historical data for this field. Compare data of this field.
Number of written questions answered by the government, per year
Not available
See historical data for this field. Compare data of this field.
Notes
2013-2017 totals combine written questions answered for both chambers of parliament
Parliament has power to carry out inquiries
Yes
Source Legal documents that stipulate parliament's role.
Parliamentary Privileges Act 1987
Number of parliamentary inquiries, per year
Not available
See historical data for this field.
Notes
Totals represent inquiries referred by the House of Representatives

Head of State and/or Government

The Head of Government is also the Head of State
No

Impeachment and confidence motions

Parliament is automatically dissolved when a motion of no confidence is adopted In some countries, the adoption of a motion of no confidence in the Government automatically leads to the dissolution of Parliament in certain countries. In other cases, a new government can be formed.
No