Can MPs walk in and out of the chamber while the house is sitting?
Members of Parliament are very busy people and do not need to be present in the Senate or House of Representatives at all times during a sitting day. They may be at work in other parts of the building or attending committee or party meetings, undertaking research, preparing speeches, or meeting people from their electorate and dealing with matters on their behalf. They are still able to follow what is happening in the Senate and House on televisions in their offices and on the internet.
However, there is a minimum number – a quorum – required for both the Senate and House of Representatives to meet. Senators and members may need to leave what they are doing to ensure this quorum. Members of parliament are also usually required to vote in divisions, attend Question Time and, of course, when they are giving or directly responding to speeches.
What members do in the Australian Parliament
Parliamentary Education Office (peo.gov.au)
What members do in the Australian Parliament
Parliamentary Education Office (peo.gov.au)
Description
Members of the House of Representatives:
- debate and vote on bills – proposed laws
- represent the views of people in their electorate
- work on parliamentary committees to examine important issues
- attend parliamentary party meetings to decide on party policy
- scrutinise – closely examine –the work of the government
- discuss issues of national and international importance.
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