What are the row of books on the table of the house of representatives?

Hi, thanks for your question.

It is a tradition to have books on the table in the House of Representatives. They are there for members to use while working in the House.

The long row of books on the table between the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition contain laws which the Parliament has passed in previous years.

The books in front of the Clerk and Deputy Clerk are reference books which help the Clerks in their work. These include the Standing Orders – the rules for the House of Representatives – , House of Representatives Practice, as well as dictionaries, copies of the Australian Constitution and copies of Hansard.

Members of parliament may consult these books at any time. The information in these books is also available online, so members may choose to access this information through laptops or other devices.

A man in a suit stands at a large wooden table. In the centre are rows of books lined up with the spines up. The books are bound in green and cream binding.

Books on table in the House of Representatives.

David Foote/DPS Auspic

Books on table in the House of Representatives.

A man in a suit stands at a large wooden table. In the centre are rows of books lined up with the spines up. The books are bound in green and cream binding.

David Foote/DPS Auspic

Description

The Prime Minister speaks from the Despatch Box. Along the centre table of the House of Representatives is 2 rows of bound copies of Acts of the Australian Parliament.

Permission should be sought from DPS AUSPIC for third-party or commercial uses of this image. To contact DPS AUSPIC email: auspic@aph.gov.au or phone: 02 6277 3342.