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 and 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.
Books on table in the House of Representatives
Geoffrey Dunn/DPS Auspic
Books on table in the House of Representatives
Geoffrey Dunn/DPS Auspic
Description
The main table in the House of Representatives has 2 rows of bound copies of laws previously made by Parliament called Acts of the Australian Parliament. There are also books, other reference material and a tablet-device used by the Clerk and Deputy Clerk at the end of the table where they sit.
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.