The House of Reps vs The Senate | Politics Explained

Summary

This video script provides an in-depth explanation of Australia's bicameral system, focusing on the roles of the House of Representatives and the Senate. It highlights the differences between the two chambers, the process of passing legislation, and the impact of the Senate as a house of review. The script also covers the voting system, particularly proportional representation, and the role of minor parties and independents in the Senate. It explains recent changes in voting rules, providing voters with more control over their preferences, and how grassroots campaigns can influence Senate elections.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Senate in Australia is often criticized, including by Prime Minister Paul Keating, who didn't think highly of it.
• 😀 Australia's bicameral system consists of two houses: the Senate (Upper House) and the House of Representatives (Lower House).
• 😀 The House of Representatives is where the government is formed, with the ruling party or coalition needing 76 seats out of 150 to govern.
• 😀 Bills must pass both the House of Representatives and the Senate before becoming law.
• 😀 The Senate is meant to act as a house of review to keep the House of Representatives in check.
• 😀 Senators represent states and territories, with each state having 12 senators, and each territory having 2, regardless of population.
• 😀 Smaller states like Tasmania have an electoral advantage in the Senate due to equal representation, even with a smaller voter base.
• 😀 The Senate has a large number of independents and minor party members, making it harder for the ruling party to push through legislation.
• 😀 Proportional representation in the Senate allows minor parties and independents to gain seats based on voter preferences.
• 😀 In 2016, changes to Senate voting rules required voters to number at least 6 boxes above the line or 12 below the line, reducing party control over candidate selection.
• 😀 Voters have significant power over Senate outcomes, with preferences playing a key role in determining the makeup of the Senate, often bypassing major party influence.

Q & A

What is Australia's bicameral system?

Australia's bicameral system refers to its two-chamber Parliament, consisting of the House of Representatives (Lower House) and the Senate (Upper House). This system ensures that no single house becomes too powerful.

What role does the House of Representatives play in Australia's Parliament?

The House of Representatives is the house of government, where the party or coalition with the most seats forms the ruling government. It is where most legislation originates before moving to the Senate.

How does a party form the government in the House of Representatives?

A party or coalition forms the government by winning 76 or more seats out of 150 in the House of Representatives. This majority gives them the power to govern and introduce legislation.

What is the Senate's primary function in the Australian political system?

The Senate serves as a house of review, providing checks on the power of the government. It ensures that legislation passed in the House of Representatives is thoroughly examined and debated.

Why does the Senate give more representation to smaller states in Australia?

The Senate allocates an equal number of Senators (12) to each state, regardless of population size. This system gives smaller states more influence relative to their population.

How are Senators elected in Australia?

Senators are elected using proportional representation, meaning they must receive a certain percentage of the vote to be elected. Voters rank their preferences, and votes are redistributed until candidates reach the required quota.

What is proportional representation, and how does it affect Senate elections?

Proportional representation is a voting system where candidates are elected based on the proportion of votes they receive. This system allows smaller parties and independents to win seats through voter preferences, even with relatively few primary votes.

What changes to the Senate voting rules were introduced in 2016?

In 2016, the Senate voting system was reformed to require voters to rank at least 6 boxes above the line or 12 below the line. This was designed to give voters more control over their vote and reduce the influence of backroom deals between parties.

What is the significance of preferences in Senate elections?

Preferences allow voters to direct their vote to other candidates if their first-choice candidate does not win enough votes. This process continues until candidates meet the required quota, which can result in minor party candidates or independents securing seats.

Why does Paul Keating have strong opinions about the Senate?

Paul Keating, a former Prime Minister, had strong opinions about the Senate because of its makeup and the influence of independents and minor parties, which often made it difficult for the government to pass legislation without amendments or delay.