A key feature of a bicameral parliamentary system of government is the possibility that a deadlock may arise between the two houses of parliament. In Australia, for a bill to become law, it must be passed by both houses of parliament, as prescribed by of the Constitution: When a proposed law passed by both Houses of Parliament is presented to the Governor-General for the Queen’s assent, he shall declare, according to his discretion, but subject to this Constitution, that he assents in the Queen’s name, or that he withholds assent, or that he reserves the law for the Queen’s pleasure. Australian governments generally control the numbers in the House of Representatives (the lower house). This is because the party or parties that win a majority of lower house seats form the government. However, the proportional voting system used in the Senate means that governments generally do not control the Senate. … Continue reading Double Dissolutions of the Australian Parliament