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People In Parliament
House of Assembly

SPEAKER
- presides over the debates of the House of Assembly
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is elected by Members of the House of Assembly
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keeps order in the House of Assembly
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understands the rules (Standing Orders) and procedures and makes sure they are followed
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usually does not take part in debates
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calls Members who wish to speak or ask questions
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puts the questions on which Members vote, and announces the results of each vote
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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
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sits in the Speaker’s Chair

CHAIRMAN OF COMMITTEES
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is in charge of proceedings and keeps order in Committee of the Whole, where bills are considered in detail and possibly amended
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is elected by the House of Assembly
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sits in the chair at the head of the Table between the Clerks (after the Speaker has left the Speaker’s Chair)
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reports to the Speaker what the Committee of the Whole has agreed to a Bill
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is also the Deputy Speaker
MEMBERS
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represent electorates
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are elected for four year terms
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are nearly always members of a Political Party
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speak in debates, ask questions, present petitions and take part in votes
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raise issues of concern to people, particularly people in their electorates
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debate bills and may move amendments
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move motions for debate
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may be made members of a committee by the House
PREMIER
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is the head of the governing party and Leader of the Government
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forms a Ministry to govern the State, and chairs the Cabinet
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takes a leading part in debates in the House
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is accountable to the Parliament for all Government decisions and actions
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is assisted by the Deputy Premier
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is a Member of Parliament and represents an electorate
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sits opposite the Leader of the Opposition
LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION
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is the leader of the major non-governing party
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has the task of questioning the Government, examining its plans and presenting an alternate point of view
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is a Member of Parliament and represents an electorate
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sits opposite the Premier
MINISTERS
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are usually members of the governing party
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Ministers form the Cabinet
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are responsible for one or more Government Departments
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introduce legislation on behalf of the Government
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make speeches to explain their plans
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are asked questions during Question Time
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present reports from their Departments
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are responsible to the Parliament for all of their decisions and actions
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sit on the front benches on the Government side of each House

PARTY WHIPS
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arrange meetings of their Party
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keep the Members in their Party informed on the business before the House, and arrange for speakers to take part in debates
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make sure that the Members in their party are present at voting time
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arrange for ‘pairs’ if a Member is sick, or is absent for an approved reason
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are chosen by each Party in the House of Assembly
CLERK OF THE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY
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gives procedural advice, based on the rules (Standing Orders), procedures and practices of the House of Assembly to the Speaker, Ministers and Members
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compiles and has custody of the official records of the business of the House of Assembly
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calls items of business, reads titles of bills and announces petitions
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times Members’ speeches and rings the bells for divisions
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is responsible for the administration of the House of Assembly and its Committees
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is appointed to the position after many years of experience
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wears the traditional dress of a gown
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sits at the head of the Table, on the right hand side of the Speaker
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is assisted by a Deputy Clerk and the Clerk Assistant

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

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

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

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