House of Representatives Australia vs. Senate Australia

Attribute	House of Representatives Australia	Senate Australia
Number of members	151	76
Term length	3 years	6 years
Method of election	Single-member constituencies	State-based proportional representation
Role	Represent the people	Review legislation

Composition

The House of Representatives in Australia is made up of 151 members who are elected by the public in single-member constituencies. The number of representatives from each state is determined by the population of that state, with larger states having more representatives. On the other hand, the Senate in Australia consists of 76 senators, with each state electing 12 senators, regardless of population size. The territories of Australia each elect 2 senators.

Term Length

Members of the House of Representatives serve a term of three years, while senators serve a term of six years. This difference in term length can have significant implications for the stability and continuity of government policies and decisions. The longer term in the Senate allows for a more deliberative and long-term approach to legislation, while the shorter term in the House of Representatives can lead to more frequent changes in government.

Role and Function

The House of Representatives is often referred to as the "lower house" and is responsible for initiating and passing legislation. The government is formed in the House of Representatives, with the leader of the majority party becoming the Prime Minister. The Senate, on the other hand, is known as the "upper house" and acts as a house of review. It can propose amendments to legislation passed by the House of Representatives and scrutinize government actions.

Representation

Members of the House of Representatives are elected based on a system of preferential voting, where voters rank candidates in order of preference. This can lead to a more representative outcome, as candidates need to secure a majority of votes to be elected. In contrast, senators are elected through a system of proportional representation, where parties are allocated seats based on the percentage of votes they receive. This can result in a more diverse range of parties being represented in the Senate.

Committees

Both the House of Representatives and the Senate have committees that play a crucial role in scrutinizing legislation and government actions. These committees conduct inquiries, hear evidence from experts and stakeholders, and make recommendations to the parliament. The committees in the House of Representatives focus on specific policy areas, while the Senate committees often have a broader remit and can investigate issues of national importance.

Power and Influence

While the House of Representatives is considered the more powerful chamber in terms of initiating and passing legislation, the Senate also wields significant influence. The Senate has the power to block legislation passed by the House of Representatives, known as a "double dissolution" if the two houses cannot agree on a particular bill. This can lead to a deadlock between the two chambers and requires negotiation and compromise to resolve.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the House of Representatives and the Senate in Australia play distinct but complementary roles in the country's parliamentary system. While the House of Representatives is responsible for forming the government and passing legislation, the Senate acts as a house of review and scrutiny. The differences in composition, term length, role, and function between the two chambers contribute to a system of checks and balances that ensures accountability and transparency in the Australian parliament.