The Parliament operates under a set of procedures that are deeply rooted in British parliamentary history.
Parliamentary procedure is often a mystery to the casual observer. Many arcane rituals and processes are followed every day. Curiously-named people officiate. The rules seem to be constantly under challenge from members.
From the ceremonial opening of the Parliament by the Governor-General, to the proclamation that dissolves each Parliament, there is a vast array of sometimes arcane procedures and occasions.
The procedures and processes of the Parliament are principally set down in the Standing Orders of each house.
House Procedures
- 2015 – House of Representatives Standing Orders
- House of Representatives Practice (6th edition) – the definitive guide to the procedures and rules of the House.
- Address In Reply
- Unparliamentary Language – why members can accuse each other of “telling untruths”, but not of being “liars”.
- Seated and Covered – one of the most arcane rules of the parliament.
- Statements by Members – 90-second statements
- Presentation of Petitions
- Personal Explanations
- Condolences – condolences for Janine Haines (2004)
Senate Procedures
Sitting Days
- Aug 06, 2016: Summoning Parliament: Turnbull’s Timing and the Historical Experience
- Parliamentary Sitting Days – 2001
- Parliamentary Sitting Days – 1994
Opening Parliament
One of the main ceremonial duties of the Governor-General is to open the proceedings of the Commonwealth Parliament following each election. The Governor-General summons members of the House of Representatives to the Senate chamber and delivers a speech prepared by the government.
Archived Items
- Jun 21, 2019: Election Officially Over As Writs Returned By AEC
- Jun 19, 2019: Governor-General Summons 46th Parliament For July 2 Meeting
- Aug 30, 2016: Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove’s Speech Opening The 45th Parliament
- Aug 30, 2016: 45th Parliament Opens; Members And Senators Sworn In; House Speaker And Senate President Re-Elected Unopposed
- Apr 15, 2016: Parliament Prorogued; New Session Starts On Monday
- Jul 07, 2014: Senators Sworn In; New Balance Of Power As 2013 Federal Election Finally Complete
- Nov 12, 2013: Governor-General Quentin Bryce Opens 44th Parliament
- May 08, 2013: Queen’s Speech At State Opening Of U.K. Parliament
- Nov 16, 2004: Governor-General’s Address Opening The 41st Parliament
- Feb 12, 2002: Governor-General’s Speech Opening The 40th Parliament
- May 09, 2001: Centenary Of Federation To Be Celebrated In Melbourne
- May 08, 1990: Governor-General Bill Hayden Opens The 36th Parliament
- Sep 14, 1987: Governor-General’s Speech Opening Parliament: 1987
- Feb 21, 1985: Governor-General Sir Ninian Stephen Opens The 34th Parliament
- Apr 21, 1983: Governor-General’s Speech Opening Parliament: 1983
- Feb 17, 1976: Sir John Kerr Opens The 30th Parliament
- Feb 27, 1973: Governor-General Sir Paul Hasluck Opens The 28th Parliament
FactSheets
This is a set of factsheets issued by the Australian Parliament in 1996.
- Questions
- Typical Day
- Speaker
- Committees
- Privilege
- Backbenchers
- Making Laws
- Elections
- New Parliament House
- Budget
- Petitions
- Publications
- Constitution
- Debate
- MPs
- Main Committee
- Senate Role
Archived News Items
- Sep 02, 2016: How The Turnbull Government Lost Control Of The House
- Mar 21, 2016: Turnbull Recalls Parliament On April 18 And Moves Budget To May 3; Threatens Double Dissolution On July 2 If Bills Not Passed
- Mar 18, 2016: Senate Adjournment Motion Amended To Prevent Early Recall
- Nov 11, 2015: Standing Orders And Other Orders Of The Senate
- Mar 26, 2015: Standing Orders – House of Representatives
- Oct 02, 2014: Senate President Announces Decision On Covered Visitors To Parliament House
- Jun 11, 2014: Geoff Shaw Suspended By Victorian Parliament; Ken Smith Votes With Government To Defeat ALP Expulsion Move
- Jun 10, 2014: Denis Napthine Moves To Suspend Geoff Shaw Until September 2
- May 23, 2014: Busting The Budget: Greens MP Condones Blocking Of Appropriation Bills By Senate
- Dec 02, 2013: Speaker Bronwyn Bishop Reports Kevin Rudd’s Resignation To The House
- May 13, 2013: A Scenario For Tony Abbott And A Motion Of No-Confidence
- Jul 19, 2010: Dissolutions, Prorogations and a Mea Culpa
- Feb 09, 2009: Black Saturday Bushfires: Moving Speeches In Parliament For Victims
- Feb 13, 2008: Rudd Government Faces First Question Time
- Dec 16, 2005: John Howard’s Senate Abuses – The Story Since July 1st
- Nov 02, 2005: Greens Condemn Secrecy, Abuse Of Parliament
- Nov 29, 2004: Address-In-Reply Speech: Mark Latham, Leader of the Opposition
- Nov 29, 2004: Personal Explanations – House of Representatives
- Nov 29, 2004: Presentation Of Petitions – House Of Representatives
- Nov 29, 2004: Condolences For Former Senator Janine Haines – House Of Representatives
- Nov 29, 2004: Statements By Members – House Of Representatives
- May 01, 2003: Democrats Support Breast-Feeding In Senate
- Mar 15, 2002: Parliamentary Procedures: Unparliamentary Language
- Feb 01, 2002: Parliamentary Procedure: Seated And Covered
