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Ch1 The Parliament and the role of the House / FUNCTIONS OF THE HOUSE / Surveillance, appraisal and criticism of government administration



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House of Representatives                                Ch 1                                                 p 38

 

The Parliament and the role of the House / FUNCTIONS OF THE HOUSE

 

Surveillance, appraisal and criticism of government administration

Debate takes place on propositions on particular subjects, on matters of public importance, and on motions to take note of documents including those moved in relation to ministerial statements dealing with government policy or matters of ministerial responsibility. Some of the major policy debates, such as on defence, foreign affairs and the economy, take place on motions of this kind. Historically, opportunities for private Members to raise matters and initiate motions which may seek to express an opinion of the House on questions of administration were limited, but these increased significantly in 1988. 1

It is not possible for the House to oversee every area of government policy and executive action. However the House may be seen as an essential safeguard and a corrective means over excessive, corrupt or extravagant use of executive power. 2 From time to time the Opposition may move a specific motion expressing censure of or no confidence in the Government. If a motion of no confidence were carried, the Government would be expected to resign. A specific motion of censure of or no confidence in a particular Minister or Ministers may also be moved. The effect of carrying such a motion against a Minister may be inconclusive as far as the House is concerned as any further action would be in the hands of the Prime Minister. However a vote against the Prime Minister, depending on circumstances, would be expected to have serious consequences for the Government. 3



And see Ch. on ‘Non-government business’.



For recent commentary on these matters see John Uhr, Deliberative democracy in Australia: The changing place of Parliament , Cambridge University Press, 1998.



And see ‘Motions of no confidence or censure’ in Ch. on ‘Motions’.