Can You Help?

This website is in imminent danger of being shut down. It has been online since 1995, but the personal circumstances of the owner, Malcolm Farnsworth, are such that economies have to be made. Server costs and suchlike have become prohibitive. At the urging of people online, I have agreed to see if Patreon provides a solution. More information is available at the Patreon website. If you are able to contribute even $1.00/month to keep the site running, please click the Patreon button below.


Become a Patron!


Backbenchers

Backbench members of parliament are the people who sit behind the government’s ministers or the opposition’s shadow ministers.

Backbenchers are those Members of Parliament who are neither party leaders, ministers or shadow ministers.

Backbenchers may be members of the House of Representatives or the Senate.

They are often known as private members.

The main task of backbenchers is to represent their electorates and support their party in parliamentary debates and votes. Often dismissed as of lesser importance than frontbenchers, the ordinary private member is also at the electoral frontline.

A significant power of backbenchers is their ability to elect and remove party leaders.

  • Overview of Backbenchers – the types of backbenchers, their roles in parliament, the party and the electorate, and factors affecting their operation.
  • First Speeches – samples of first, or maiden, speeches to the House and the Senate, many with audio or video

Archived Posts

Print Friendly, PDF & Email