Each political party represented in the Federal Parliament elects leaders in each house.
Just as the government is decided in the House of Representatives, so the parties elect their leaders and deputy leaders from amongst their representatives in the House. If the party is not represented in the lower house, its leader will be chosen from amongst its members in the Senate.
These tables are correct as of February 4, 2013. On February 2, Senator Chris Evans announced his retirement from politics. The ALP Caucus elected Senator Stephen Conroy as his replacement on February 4. Senator Penny Wong became the deputy leader.
| House of Representatives | ||
|---|---|---|
| Party | Leader | Deputy Leader |
| Australian Labor Party | Julia Gillard Member for Lalor (Vic) |
Wayne Swan Member for Lilley (Qld) |
| Liberal Party | Tony Abbott Member for Warringah (NSW) |
Julie Bishop Member for Curtin (WA) |
| National Party | Warren Truss Member for Wide Bay (Qld) |
Senator Nigel Scullion Northern Territory |
| Australian Greens | – | Adam Bandt Member for Melbourne (Vic) |
The major parties also elect leaders and deputy leaders in the Senate. These people form part of the leadership group and act as the focal point for their parties in the upper house.
For example, the current ALP leader in the Senate, Chris Evans, is referred to as the Government Leader in the Senate. Senator Eric Abetz is referred to as the Opposition Leader in the Senate.
| Senate | ||
|---|---|---|
| Party | Leader | Deputy Leader |
| Australian Labor Party | Senator Stephen Conroy (Victoria) |
Senator Penny Wong (South Australia) |
| Liberal Party | Senator Eric Abetz (Tasmania) |
Senator George Brandis (Queensland) |
| National Party | Senator Barnaby Joyce (Queensland) |
Senator Fiona Nash (New South Wales) |
| Australian Greens | Senator Christine Milne (Tasmania) |
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|
