People In Parliament

House of Assembly

SPEAKER

• presides over the debates of the House of Assembly
• is elected by Members of the House of Assembly
• keeps order in the House of Assembly
• understands the rules (Standing Orders) and procedures and makes sure they are followed
• usually does not take part in debates
• calls Members who wish to speak or ask questions
• puts the questions on which Members vote, and announces the results of each vote
• once elected may continue to be an active member of a Political Party, but is expected to be fair to all members whatever party or group to which they may belong
• sits in the Speaker’s Chair

CHAIRMAN OF COMMITTEES

• is in charge of proceedings and keeps order in Committee of the Whole, where bills are considered in detail and possibly amended
• is elected by the House of Assembly
• sits in the chair at the head of the Table between the Clerks (after the Speaker has left the Speaker’s Chair)
• reports to the Speaker what the Committee of the Whole has agreed to a Bill
• is also the Deputy Speaker

MEMBERS

• represent electorates
• are elected for four year terms
• are nearly always members of a Political Party
• speak in debates, ask questions, present petitions and take part in votes
• raise issues of concern to people, particularly people in their electorates
• debate bills and may move amendments
• move motions for debate
• may be made members of a committee by the House

PREMIER

• is the head of the governing party and Leader of the Government
• forms a Ministry to govern the State, and chairs the Cabinet
• takes a leading part in debates in the House
• is accountable to the Parliament for all Government decisions and actions
• is assisted by the Deputy Premier
• is a Member of Parliament and represents an electorate
• sits opposite the Leader of the Opposition

LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION

• is the leader of the major non-governing party
• has the task of questioning the Government, examining its plans and presenting an alternate point of view
• is a Member of Parliament and represents an electorate
• sits opposite the Premier

MINISTERS

• are usually members of the governing party
• Ministers form the Cabinet
• are responsible for one or more Government Departments
• introduce legislation on behalf of the Government
• make speeches to explain their plans
• are asked questions during Question Time
• present reports from their Departments
• are responsible to the Parliament for all of their decisions and actions
• sit on the front benches on the Government side of each House

PARTY WHIPS

• arrange meetings of their Party
• keep the Members in their Party informed on the business before the House, and arrange for speakers to take part in debates
• make sure that the Members in their party are present at voting time
• arrange for ‘pairs’ if a Member is sick, or is absent for an approved reason
• are chosen by each Party in the House of Assembly

CLERK OF THE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY

• gives procedural advice, based on the rules (Standing Orders), procedures and practices of the House of Assembly to the Speaker, Ministers and Members
• compiles and has custody of the official records of the business of the House of Assembly
• calls items of business, reads titles of bills and announces petitions
• times Members’ speeches and rings the bells for divisions
• is responsible for the administration of the House of Assembly and its Committees
• is appointed to the position after many years of experience
• wears the traditional dress of a gown
• sits at the head of the Table, on the right hand side of the Speaker
• is assisted by a Deputy Clerk and the Clerk Assistant

SERJEANT-AT-ARMS

• conducts the Speaker to the Chair during the ceremony at the beginning of every sitting day
• takes part in ceremonial activities
• by direction of the Speaker keeps order in the Chamber and the Public Galleries
• is responsible for the security and providing services to Members and visitors
• is a member of the House of Assembly Staff

HANSARD REPORTERS

• take a word-by-word shorthand/electronic record of the debates in each House
• take turns of ten minutes
• transcribe into written word for Hansard Records
• sit in the Hansard Reporters Gallery

ATTENDANTS

• deliver messages to and from Members
• prepare the House at the beginning of the day
• distribute bills and other documents in the Chamber and to offices
• assist visitors to Parliament House
• are supervised by the Serjeant-at-Arms