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Parliament of Australia

The Parliament of Australia (formally named the Parliament of the Commonwealth) is made up of a total of 226 people popularly elected to the Senate and House of Representatives to represent the interests of Australians and to 'make laws for the peace, order and good government of the nation' (section 51 Australian Constitution).

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

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

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

Department of Parliamentary Services

The Department of Parliamentary Services provides a wide range of diverse services and facilities to ensure that the Parliament functions effectively. These include research, library services, television and radio broadcasting, Hansard transcripts, ICT and all aspects of the maintenance and security of the building and precincts.

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

Department of the House of Representatives

The Department of the House of Representatives provides services to support the efficient conduct of the House of Representatives, its committees and certain joint committees as well as a range of services and facilities for Members in Parliament House.

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

Department of the Senate

The Department of the Senate provides the Senate, its committees, the President of the Senate and senators with a broad range of advisory and support services related to the exercise of the legislative power of the Commonwealth.

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

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

Frequently asked questions about parliament

Gives answers to frequently asked questions about Parliament, the House of Representatives and the Senate.

http://www.aph.gov.au/Help/FAQs

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

M&PS Intranet

This site provides information for parliamentarians and their electorate and personal staff. Includes entitlements handbooks.

http://maps.finance.gov.au/

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

ParlInfo Search

ParlInfo Search provides access to the Parliamentary Document Repository. You can perform a search or explore the collections by browsing. The guided search provides a step by step process to search for Speeches by a Senator or Member, Bills, documents, Senate Estimate Hearings, Second Reading Speeches for a Bill, and Biographies of a Senator or Member.

http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/

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

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.

australia.gov.au

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Parliament of Australia