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
- Election Officially Over As Writs Returned By AEC June 21, 2019
- Governor-General Summons 46th Parliament For July 2 Meeting June 19, 2019
- Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove’s Speech Opening The 45th Parliament August 30, 2016
- 45th Parliament Opens; Members And Senators Sworn In; House Speaker And Senate President Re-Elected Unopposed August 30, 2016
- Parliament Prorogued; New Session Starts On Monday April 15, 2016
- Senators Sworn In; New Balance Of Power As 2013 Federal Election Finally Complete July 7, 2014
- Governor-General Quentin Bryce Opens 44th Parliament November 12, 2013
- Queen’s Speech At State Opening Of U.K. Parliament May 8, 2013
- Governor-General’s Address Opening The 41st Parliament November 16, 2004
- Governor-General’s Speech Opening The 40th Parliament February 12, 2002
- Centenary Of Federation To Be Celebrated In Melbourne May 9, 2001
- Governor-General Bill Hayden Opens The 36th Parliament May 8, 1990
- Governor-General’s Speech Opening Parliament: 1987 September 14, 1987
- Governor-General Sir Ninian Stephen Opens The 34th Parliament February 21, 1985
- Governor-General’s Speech Opening Parliament: 1983 April 21, 1983
- Sir John Kerr Opens The 30th Parliament February 17, 1976
- Governor-General Sir Paul Hasluck Opens The 28th Parliament February 27, 1973
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
- How The Turnbull Government Lost Control Of The House September 2, 2016
- Turnbull Recalls Parliament On April 18 And Moves Budget To May 3; Threatens Double Dissolution On July 2 If Bills Not Passed March 21, 2016
- Senate Adjournment Motion Amended To Prevent Early Recall March 18, 2016
- Standing Orders And Other Orders Of The Senate November 11, 2015
- Standing Orders – House of Representatives March 26, 2015
- Senate President Announces Decision On Covered Visitors To Parliament House October 2, 2014
- Geoff Shaw Suspended By Victorian Parliament; Ken Smith Votes With Government To Defeat ALP Expulsion Move June 11, 2014
- Denis Napthine Moves To Suspend Geoff Shaw Until September 2 June 10, 2014
- Busting The Budget: Greens MP Condones Blocking Of Appropriation Bills By Senate May 23, 2014
- Speaker Bronwyn Bishop Reports Kevin Rudd’s Resignation To The House December 2, 2013
- A Scenario For Tony Abbott And A Motion Of No-Confidence May 13, 2013
- Dissolutions, Prorogations and a Mea Culpa July 19, 2010
- Black Saturday Bushfires: Moving Speeches In Parliament For Victims February 9, 2009
- Rudd Government Faces First Question Time February 13, 2008
- John Howard’s Senate Abuses – The Story Since July 1st December 16, 2005
- Greens Condemn Secrecy, Abuse Of Parliament November 2, 2005
- Address-In-Reply Speech: Mark Latham, Leader of the Opposition November 29, 2004
- Personal Explanations – House of Representatives November 29, 2004
- Presentation Of Petitions – House Of Representatives November 29, 2004
- Statements By Members – House Of Representatives November 29, 2004
- Democrats Support Breast-Feeding In Senate May 1, 2003
- Parliamentary Procedures: Unparliamentary Language March 15, 2002
- Parliamentary Procedure: Seated And Covered February 1, 2002