Parliament of Australia - Web Resources

Key web pages and entry points for the Parliament of Australia

The Parliament House building is the focal point of Canberra, the capital city of Australia. This page links to information on the House's architecture, landscape and artworks and a history of Parliament House. Includes a virtual tour, the Parliament House Art Collection and a photo gallery.

http://www.aph.gov.au/Visit_Parliament/About_the_Building

About the House of Representatives

An introduction to the Parliament of Australia House of Representatives and its composition, functions, sitting pattern, committees, the Chamber, the main committee, the Speaker etc.

http://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/House_of_Representatives/About_the_House_of_Representatives

About the Senate

An introduction to the Parliament of Australia Senate and its powers, composition, role, sitting pattern, the senate chamber, senate committees etc.

http://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Senate/About_the_Senate

Australian Constitution

The AGPS edition of the Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act, as amended, contains the Proclamation Declaring the Establishment of the Commonwealth; the Letters Patent Relating to the Office of the Governor General; the Statute of Westminster Adoption Act 1942; the Australia Act 1986; and an overview, notes and index.

http://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Senate/Powers_practice_n_procedures/Constitution.aspx

Australian system of government

Describes the powers, practices and procedures of the Australian Parliament, Executive Government including the Ministry, the Governor-General and the Queen, and the Judiciary.

http://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/House_of_Representatives/Powers_practice_and_procedure/00_-_Infosheets/Infosheet_20_-_The_Australian_system_of_government

Bills and legislation

A bill is a proposal for a law or a change to an existing law. A bill becomes law (an Act) when agreed to in identical form by both houses of Parliament and assented to by the Governor-General.
Links to current and previous bills and other resources.

http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation

Browse by topic - [reference and research tools]

Parliament of Australia page providing links to a wide range of ready reference sources that are available on the Internet.

http://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_Departments/Parliamentary_Library/Browse_by_Topic

Browse by topic to key internet links - general and subject specific

Page includes key internet links to general and subject specific information. Specific subject areas are arts; sport and education; economics; education; employment law; health; immigration; international relations; law; parliaments; women in politics; government and public administration; elections; political parties; population; ageing; religion; statistics and social security.

http://aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_Departments/Parliamentary_Library/Browse_by_Topic

Committees

Parliamentary committees investigate specific matters of policy or government administration or performance.
Links to current Senate, House and Joint Parliamentary Committees.

http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees

Contact your local member

You can search for your local member by name, postcode or electorate, Members homepages provide parliamentary and electorate address and contact details.
You can also browse all current members by electorate, party, gender, surname or state.

http://www.aph.gov.au/Senators_and_Members/Members

Contacting senators and members

Contact list of senators and members with address labels, CSV files and how to address senators and members

http://www.aph.gov.au/Senators_and_Members/Guidelines_for_Contacting_Senators_and_Members

Current ministry list - 43rd Parliament Ministry

Links to the Second Gillard Ministry list showing Ministers and their portfolios.

http://www.aph.gov.au/~/media/03%20Senators%20and%20Members/32%20Members/Lists/minlist.ashx

Education resources

Links to many education resources available on the Parliament of Australia website.

http://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Education_Resources

Explanatory memoranda index

Explanatory memorandum accompanies and provides an explanation of the content of the first reading of a bill. A bill is a proposal for a law or a change to an existing law. A bill becomes law (an Act) when agreed to in identical form by both houses of Parliament and assented to by the Governor-General.

http://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_Departments/Parliamentary_Library/Browse_by_Topic/law/explanmem

Governing Australia: three levels of law-making

Australia has three levels of law-making — sometimes referred to as three levels of government — that work together to provide Australians with the services they need.

http://www.peo.gov.au/students/cl/governing.html

Government ministry

Lists the current Australian Government Ministers and their portfolios. Also has links to previous ministries.

http://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_Departments/Parliamentary_Library/Parliamentary_Handbook/Current_Ministry_List#Current%20Ministry%20List

Hansard

Hansard is the name given to the edited transcripts of debates in the Senate, House of Representatives, Main Committee and parliamentary committees. They are published shortly after the chamber or committee proceedings have concluded.

http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Hansard

Historical information on the Australian Parliament

This resource links to historical material from the official Parliamentary Handbook.

http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;db=HANDBOOK;id=handbook%2Fnewhandbook%2F2011-10-13%2F0063;query=Id%3A%22handbook%2Fnewhandbook%2F2011-10-13%2F0064%22

House of Representatives

The House of Representatives is one of the two houses of Australia’s Commonwealth Parliament. There are 150 representatives elected by the Australian people. The House of Representatives is the house in which government is formed.

http://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/House_of_Representatives

House of Representatives committees

The House committees page provides a list of the committees; information on how to participate in committee inquiry processes; the role, powers and procedures of committees; committee reports and contact details.

http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/House_of_Representatives_Committees

Key internet links on calendars of events

Links to calendars of events that provide a focus on social issues. Also includes links to international days, weeks and years proclaimed by the United Nations.

http://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_Departments/Parliamentary_Library/Browse_by_Topic/Calendars

Key internet links on Criminal Law

This guide contains links to Internet resources and documents in the area of federal criminal law, as well as providing links to other guides and directories which contain material on State and Territory and overseas law.

http://aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_Departments/Parliamentary_Library/Browse_by_Topic/Crimlaw

Key internet links on family law

This guide contains links to Internet resources and documents in the area of federal family law, as well as providing links to other guides and directories which contain material on State and Territory and overseas law.

http://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_Departments/Parliamentary_Library/Browse_by_Topic/FamilyLaw

Key internet links on law

This guide contains links to Internet resources and documents in the area of federal law, as well as providing links to other guides and directories which contain material on State and Territory and overseas law.

http://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_Departments/Parliamentary_Library/Browse_by_Topic/law

Key internet links on parliaments

This page provides links to resources related to both the Australian Parliament and other parliaments and parliamentary organisations.

http://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_Departments/Parliamentary_Library/Browse_by_Topic/Parliaments

Members

You can browse current members by electorate, party, gender, surname or state; or you can search for your local member by name, postcode or electorate. Members homepages provide parliamentary and electorate address and contact details, their biography, first speech and external links.

http://www.aph.gov.au/Senators_and_Members/Members

News and events

News and events of the House of Representatives and its committees, the Senate, Parliamentary Library and calendar showing the sitting dates. Includes the Webcast Schedule.

http://www.aph.gov.au/News_and_Events

Parliament and government

Gives a descriptive overview of the Australian Parliament. It discusses the Parliamentary system, the separation of powers, Commonwealth Parliament, executive government and the federal judicature as well as providing links to further information.

http://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Work_of_the_Parliament/Forming_and_Governing_a_Nation/parl

Parliamentary handbook

The Parliamentary Handbook provides a wealth of information on the current Australian Commonwealth Parliament, together with historical information on the Parliament since Federation.

http://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_Departments/Parliamentary_Library/Parliamentary_Handbook

Parliamentary Library

Information from the Parliamentary Library include current and historical information about senators and members, ministries, elections and referenda, papers produced in the Library's publications program, and guides to Internet resources.

http://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_Departments/Parliamentary_Library

Political parties and organisations

Key internet links to Australian political parties and organisations as well as to political parties in Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, the United States and other countries.

http://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_Departments/Parliamentary_Library/Browse_by_Topic/Politicalparties

Research and education

The House of Representatives publishes a range of information about the work of the House and the Parliament. This page contains Infosheets, research, external resources and links to discover your house, education and powers, practices and procedures.

http://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/House_of_Representatives/Research_and_Education

Senate

There are 76 senators, 12 from each state and two each from the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory. A partner with the House in the legislative process, the Senate conducts much of its work through an established committee system, including the budget estimates accountability process.

http://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Senate

Senate briefs

A series of briefs which aim to give a basic introduction to the Senate and its work.

http://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Senate/Powers_practice_n_procedures/briefs

Senate committees

The Senate Committees page includes links to the list of Senate committees, current membership, current inquiries, recently tabled reports, completed inquiries, today's hearings, upcoming hearings and information about committees.

http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate_Committees

Senate estimates

Estimates of government expenditure are referred to Senate committees as part of the annual budget cycle. This opportunity to examine the operations of government plays a key role in the parliamentary scrutiny of the executive.
Senate estimates hearings are broadcast live over the internet.

http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Senate_Estimates

Senators

You can browse current senators by commencement date, service expiry date, their date or place of birth, state or see all women senators. You can also search for your state senators by name, postcode or electorate. Senators homepages provide parliamentary and electorate address and contact details, their biography, first speech and external links.

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