Everything you need to know about the role, function, structure and people of the Australian Parliament.
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Hi! Could you please explain what a half-Senate election is and why this happens. Thanks for your time.
Luke - Toowoomba, QLD
Does the Governor-General vote in elections?
John - Howlong, NSW
Is a member of parliament's vote worth more than a normal citizens?
Nicko - Melbourne, VIC
Why can't people vote under the age of 18?
William - Loxton, SA
Who controls the federal elections, is there an organisation?
Dustin - Narangba, QLD
Why is proportional representation considered to more closely reflect the voting pattern of the electors?
Justin - Newcastle, NSW
Are the politicians that run for the House of Representatives the same as those that run for the Senate?
Kaihla - Varisty Lakes, QLD
What is the difference between an electorate and a division?
Lisa - Ipswich, QLD
Is it compulsory to vote in a plebiscite?
Carroll - Newcastle, NSW
When does a Member who does not recontest their seat at the next election effectively retire? Is it at the dissolution of the House?
Tiffany - Canberra, ACT
Where are Australian elections held?
Alana - Melbourne, VIC
If the House of Reps ballot papers are green, why are the Senate ones white and not red?
Sarah - Townsville, Qld
Why is voting compulsory?
Michelle - Adelaide, SA
Why do you need to vote? Is it important?
Lessio - SA
Can you vote for any Senate candidate even though they are not in your State?
Peta - Belmont, WA
How do I choose a party to vote for? Is there a summary of facts and information about each party and what they are offering?
Sharon - the universe
How is the number of members in the House of Representatives determined?
Donn - Toongabbie, NSW
Can a referendum or plebiscite be held at the same time as a federal election?
Carroll - Osterley, NSW
Which current senators will serve three years and which will serve six years?
Max - McCrae, VIC
How much does a candidate's election speech affect the way people vote?
Erin - Caroline Springs, VIC
What are 'safe seats'?
TurtlesRule - Endeavour Hills,VIC
Why can't public servants run in elections?
David - Adelaide, SA
Why is the voting system different between House of Representatives and the Senate?
Susan - VIC
Why do we have federal elections every three years?
Liala-Rose - SA
What are the laws about political advertising? Are ads at election time true, and what can we do if they're not?
Elisa - Elizabeth, SA
How can our system of preferential voting be changed?
Barry - Emu Plains, NSW
Why is the preferential and proportional voting system used at Australian Elections?
Alex - Sydney, NSW
How are Senate below the line votes directed? What if none of a voter's 12 preferences gets a quota?
Geoff - Kew East, VIC
Can a Member of the house of representatives get elected again after their 3 year term?
Diya - Junee, NSW
Why can't we vote on policies instead of parties during an election?
Ashlin - Geelong, VIC
What do you have to do to become a member of parliament?
Marty - Altona, VIC
New Zealand is mentioned in the Australian constitution. Does that mean that New Zealanders have the legal authority to vote?
Harley - Sydney, NSW
Can an independent become Prime Minister?
Sam - Adelaide, SA
In my research it is suggested that there have been only 2 plebiscites in 1916 and 1917. Where does the national anthem question and same-sex marriage question fit?
Anthony - Mornington, VIC
How can you run for election to be a member of parliament?
Ashtyn - Cranebrook, NSW
What happens if minor parties get more votes than the major parties? Will the minor parties have to join either labor or liberal?
Christine - Greenbank QLD
Do the Prime Minister and ministers keep their positions during an election period?
Cecilia - Australia
How were electoral divisions created at the first election in 1901? What were they named after?
John - Frankston
If the government replaces the Prime Minister in a leadership spill, are they required to call an election?
Elodie - Australia
Who decides the question for a referendum?
Jeff - Barnawartha, Vic
If you are the Prime Minister, do you still get to vote and if so, can you vote for yourself?
Year 5 - Applecross Primary School, WA
As Australia is currently in an election period, some material on the website may be out of date. We will progressively make updates as new information and images become available.
