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 October 14, 2013. They take account of the change of government following the September 7 election and leadership ballots in all parties as a result of the election.
| House of Representatives | ||
|---|---|---|
| Party | Leader | Deputy Leader |
| Liberal Party | Tony Abbott Member for Warringah (NSW) |
Julie Bishop Member for Curtin (WA) |
| National Party | Warren Truss Member for Wide Bay (Qld) |
Barnaby Joyce Member for New England (NSW) |
| Australian Labor Party | Bill Shorten Member for Maribyrnong (Vic) |
Tanya Plibersek Member for Sydney (NSW) |
| 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 Liberal leader in the Senate, Eric Abetz, is referred to as the Government Leader in the Senate. Senator Penny Wong is referred to as the Opposition Leader in the Senate.
| Senate | ||
|---|---|---|
| Party | Leader | Deputy Leader |
| Liberal Party | Senator Eric Abetz (Tasmania) |
Senator George Brandis (Queensland) |
| National Party | Senator Nigel Scullion (Northern Territory) |
Senator Fiona Nash (New South Wales) |
| Australian Labor Party | Senator Penny Wong (South Australia) |
Senator Stephen Conroy (Victoria) |
| Australian Greens | Senator Christine Milne (Tasmania) |
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|
