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The '''Parliament of Australia''' is the federal legislative branch of government of [[Australia]].  

The '''Parliament of Australia''' is the federal legislative branch of [[government]] of [[Australia]].  

It is bicameral, consisting of the [[Australian House of Representatives|House of Representatives]] and the [[Australian Senate|Senate]], largely modelled in the British Westminster tradition, but with some influences from the [[United States Congress]]. According to Section 1 of the [[Constitution of Australia]], Parliament consists of three components: the Queen, the Senate, and the House of Representatives. The Queen is normally represented by the [[Governor-General of Australia]].

It is bicameral, consisting of the [[Australian House of Representatives|House of Representatives]] and the [[Australian Senate|Senate]], largely modelled in the British [[Westminster system|Westminster tradition]], but with some influences from the [[United States Congress]]. According to Section 1 of the [[Constitution of Australia]], Parliament consists of three components: the [[Elizabeth II|Queen]], the Senate, and the House of Representatives. The Queen is normally represented by the [[Governor-General of Australia]].

The Parliament forms one of the three branches of the national government, the others being the [[High Court of Australia]] and Executive (Governor-General acting on advice of the Ministers).

The Parliament forms one of the three branches of the national government, the others being the [[High Court of Australia]] and Executive (Governor-General acting on advice of the Ministers).

The [[Australian House of Representatives|House of Representatives]] currently consists of 150 Members, who represent districts known as electoral divisions (commonly referred to as "electorates" or "seats"). The number of members may vary depending on electoral redistributions or boundary changes.  

The [[Australian House of Representatives|House of Representatives]] currently consists of 150 Members, who represent districts known as electoral divisions (commonly referred to as "electorates" or "seats"). The number of members may vary depending on electoral redistributions or boundary changes.  

The Prime Minister of Australia is normally a member of this House. (A former Prime Minister, John Gorton, was a Senator when selected by his party. He immediately resigned and successfully contested a seat in the House.)

The [[List of Prime Ministers of Australia|Prime Minister of Australia]] is normally a member of this House. (A former Prime Minister, [[John Gorton]], was a Senator when selected by his party. He immediately resigned and successfully contested a seat in the House.)

===Senate===

===Senate===

The [[Australian Senate|Senate]] consists of 76 [[Senator]]s: twelve for each of the six States, and two for each mainland Territory.  

The [[Australian Senate|Senate]] consists of 76 [[Senator]]s: twelve for each of the six [[State]]s, and two for each mainland Territory.  

Government Ministers may be in either the House or the Senate, but will be represented in the other chamber by another Minister.

Government Ministers may be in either the House or the Senate, but will be represented in the other chamber by another Minister.

==Legislation==

==Legislation==

Legislation (a Bill) may be first introduced in either the House or Senate if it is not related to financial matters. Legislation with financial implications may only be introduced in the House. In practice, almost all legislation is introduced in the House.

[[Legislation]] (a Bill) may be first introduced in either the House or Senate if it is not related to financial matters. Legislation with financial implications may only be introduced in the House. In practice, almost all legislation is introduced in the House.

The Senate is a "house of review", or "states house", and subjects legislation to oversight. Changes made to legislation in the Senate must be ratified in the House.

The Senate is a "house of review", or "states house", and subjects legislation to oversight. Changes made to legislation in the Senate must be ratified in the House.

Legislation passed by both houses becomes law (an Act) after "royal assent", in practice when the Governor-General receives advice from Ministers and signs the Bill.

Legislation passed by both houses becomes [[law]] (an Act) after "royal assent", in practice when the Governor-General receives advice from Ministers and signs the Bill.

==Other matters==

==Other matters==

Either house can discuss "urgency motions" or "matters of public importance" as a forum for debates on public policy matters. Senators or Members can move motions of censure against the government or against individual ministers. Question Time is held at 2pm on most sitting days and allows Members and Senators to address questions to the Prime Minister and other Ministers. Petitions from constituents can also present matters for consideration by the Parliament. The House and Senate both have an extensive committee systems, which form part of the corpus of the Parliament's consideration of bills, or at which evidence is taken and public servants are questioned.

Either house can discuss "urgency motions" or "matters of public importance" as a forum for debates on public policy matters. Senators or Members can move motions of censure against the government or against individual ministers. Question Time is held at 2pm on most sitting days and allows Members and Senators to address questions to the Prime Minister and other Ministers. Petitions from constituents can also present matters for consideration by the Parliament. The House and Senate both have an extensive committee system, which form part of the corpus of the Parliament's consideration of bills, or at which evidence is taken and [[public servant]]s are questioned.

==External links==

==External links==