Senate of Australia

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The Senate of Australia is the federal parliament's upper chamber, representing the states and territories and reviewing legislation proposed by the House of Representatives.

Aliases (1)

Statements (47)
Predicate Object
instanceOf legislative body
upper house of parliament
buildingChamberColor red
chamberOf Parliament of Australia
committeeRole conduct inquiries
scrutinise legislation
constitutionalBasis Australian Constitution
constitutionalRole protect smaller states
provide federal balance
country Australia
createdBy Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act 1900
disputeResolutionMechanism double dissolution
joint sitting of Parliament
electoralDivision states and territories as multi-member constituencies
firstMeetingDate 1901-05-09
hasCommitteeSystem yes
hasHouseType upper house
hasMemberType Senator
hasPower block supply bills
establish select committees
summon witnesses to committees
hasQuorum one quarter of senators
hasVotingSystem proportional representation
single transferable vote
jurisdiction Commonwealth of Australia
language English
legislativePower can initiate legislation except money bills
may reject or amend bills
reviews legislation from the House of Representatives
locatedIn Canberra
meetsIn Parliament House, Canberra
moneyBillsRestriction cannot originate or amend appropriation and taxation bills
may request amendments to money bills
numberOfMembers 76
partOf Parliament of Australia
presidingOfficerTitle President of the Senate
relationToLowerHouse co-equal legislative authority except for money bills
renewalPattern half-Senate elections approximately every 3 years
role house of review
legislative chamber
represents states and territories
shortName the Senate
stateRepresentation 12 senators per state
termLength 6 years for state senators
up to 3 years for territory senators
territoryRepresentation 2 senators per territory
website https://www.aph.gov.au/Senate


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