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