1. Parliament and the Legislative Process

2. What is Cabinet, it’s members and it’s role?
Engine room of government
PM and senior ministers
Introduces most legislation, administers legislation, handling crisis’

3. What are the main sources of cabinet power?
MP’s have many roles i.e./ may not no background
Monopoly of public service
Cabinet Solidarity
Party Loyalty and partisan voting
Control of the agenda
Standing Orders i.e./ gag and guillotine

4. Influence of Party System on Legislation?
Party line is the bottom line
Candidates stand as party members
Voting against party can be career damaging
Members represent party more than electorate

5. What impact can the opposition have on the legislative process?
Alternative government
Devil’s advocate
Undermine credibility of government
Protest and highlight controversial bills
Slow things on technical issues
Question Time

6. What three criteria is required for legislation to be seen as democratic?
Allow for wide ranging input.
Be part of mandate of popularly elected government
Be subject to effective scrutiny in parliament.

7. Functions of parliament
Initiate, debate and approve legislation.
Appoint and dismiss executive
Approve expenditure
Voice of majority
Forum for debate
Act as a court
Political socialization

8. Where do ideas for new legislation arise?
Government Party Policy
Public Service Submissions
Public opinion and pressure group activities
Review by law reform groups
Individual parliamentarians
Committees
Court Decisions.

9. What is the Role of committees? What are the 5 types of committees?
To debate and examine legislation in detail
Standing committees, Select committees , HOR, Senate and Joint house Committees.

10. Parliamentary activities of backbenchers
Present issues concerning constituents
Present presentations
Private members bills
Committee member
Scrutinise legislation/executive

11. Does Parliament reflect the will of the people?
Yes
Electoral mandate (governmental and individual)
Responsible government (especially question time)
Petitions
MP’s interaction with electorate
Members of public can be asked to present views to committees
Role of media in expressing public opinion.

12. Does Parliament reflect the will of the people?No
Reflects sections of the community i.e./ parties meaning guaranteed passage of legislation, use of gag and guillotine
Dominated by cabinet
Constrained by the Constitution and the High Court i.e./ Mabo
Insufficient time spent by MP’s on parliamentary business.
Recent decline in number of petitions presented to parliament.
Undue influence from pressure groups i.e./ ACTU for labor and National Farmers Federation for coalition

13. No Continued…
Controlled by the executive - administrative necessity, to continue existing policy or administrative arrangements or to work out new deals between states and commonwealth.
Parliamentary process allows for minimal public input.

14. Explain the composition of the Senate at time of Federation
Explain the composition of the Senate at time of Federation? And the role of the Senate?
Equal numbers regardless of population to protect smaller states.
Defend interests of states
Wisely review legislation

15. What are the three distinct roles of the Senate?
As a rubber stamp of House of Rep’s
Hostile Senate i.e./ controlled by opposition
Independent i.e./ balance of power held by neither government or opposition.

16. What are the sources of increased Senate influence?
Proportional Voting introduced in 1949
Expansion of the size of the Senate
Committees