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House of Representatives                                Ch 1                                                 p 39

Ventilation of grievances and matters of interest or concern

The provisio n of opportunities for the raising by private Members of particular matters—perhaps affecting the rights and liberties of individuals, or perhaps of a more general nature—is an important function of the House. Opportunities for raising these matters occur principally during periods for private Members’ business, Members’ statements, grievance debates, debates on the motion for the adjournment of the House or the Main Committee, and during debates on the Budget and the Address in Reply. Outside the House Members may make personal approaches to Ministers and departments regarding matters raised by constituents or other matters on which they require advice or seek attention. ¹

As a collective function of the House this is largely an extension of a fundamental role of the individual Member whether it is exercised in the House or outside it. See particularly Ch. on ‘Members’.