Parliament of Queensland

Crossbench (5)

• Greens (1)
• Independent (2) Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

The Parliament of Queensland is the unicameral legislative body of the Australian state of Queensland. As provided under the Constitution of Queensland, the Parliament consists of the King, represented by the Governor of Queensland, and the Legislative Assembly. It has been the only unicameral state legislature in the country since its upper chamber, the Legislative Council, was abolished in 1922. The Legislative Assembly sits in Parliament House in the state capital, Brisbane.

The Queensland Parliament retains plenary legislative power over Queensland, however Commonwealth laws apply to the extent of any inconsistency. Some laws from the colonial era passed by the New South Wales parliament and the Imperial Parliament also remain in force.

Following the outcome of the 2015 election, four additional seats were added to the Legislative Assembly (to a total of 93), the voting system changed from optional preferential voting to full-preferential voting, and unfixed three-year terms were replaced with fixed four-year terms.

History

The Parliament was founded 22 May 1860, less than a year after the Colony of Queensland was created in June 1859.{{cite news | title = Almost 150 years strong

In 1915, Queensland became the first state to make voting compulsory at state elections.

Since 1 April 2003, live audio broadcasts have streamed through the internet from the Parliament while it is in session. In June 2007, the Parliament started broadcasting video of parliamentary proceedings. Nine in-house television cameras are used to record sessions.

The first female Speaker, Fiona Simpson was elected on 15 May 2012.

Membership

Main article: Members of the Queensland Legislative Assembly

The Assembly has 93 members of Parliament (MPs). These are intended to represent approximately the same population in each electorate. Voting is by the full preferential voting system, with elections held every four years.

In April 2016, legislation was passed to increase the number of seats in the parliament by four to a total of 93. An amendment was also passed to abolish optional preferential voting. A referendum held the previous month was passed, supporting a bill to establish fixed four-year terms.

Royal assent

The role of the monarch in Parliament is to give royal assent to legislation. This function is in practice exercised by the governor of Queensland, who conventionally will never refuse assent to a bill that has passed the Legislative Assembly. The party or coalition with the most seats in the house is invited by the governor to form a government.

The leader of that party subsequently becomes the premier of Queensland, leading a Cabinet of ministers. In the Liberal National Party, the premier selects members of their party to act as ministers. In the Labor Party, the ministers are elected by party room ballot, with the leader then assigning ministerial portfolios to each one.

Operations

Once all winning candidates have been declared, the governor of Queensland proclaims a date for the start of the new Parliament. It is the role of the Clerk of the Parliament to call members to attendance.

According to the Constitution of Queensland, members of Parliament must swear an oath or affirmation to the King as well as an oath of office before signing a Roll of Members. This oath or affirmation must be made to the governor or someone authorised by him or her—typically the clerk of the Parliament.

Sworn-in representatives are required to elect a Speaker to preside over the House's business. Before this occurs, the longest serving member who is not a minister presides over the proceedings. Once elected the Speaker is dragged to the chair and presented to the Governor at Government House. The symbol of the authority of the Parliament and its Speaker is the ceremonial mace. The sergeant-at-arms carries the mace into the chamber of parliament when the speaker enters at the start of each sitting day and removes it again when the speaker leaves at the end of the sitting day. During the sitting day, the mace rests on two raised brackets on the centre table with the head of the mace lying pointed towards the government's side. The current mace was designed and made in 1978 and is sterling silver with gold plating and is encrusted with 32 Queensland gemstones. Despite being the symbol of Parliament, it is engraved with the words "Government of Queensland".

The ceremonial opening of the new Parliament is marked by a speech by the governor. Traditionally the speech is written by the new government and it may outline current activities, budget details, statistics and proposed lists of legislation which are intended to be introduced.

A day in Parliament usually begins with housekeeping matters, including prayers, notifications and the tabling of any documents. An opportunity is then given to Ministers to make statements. During a period of no more than an hour, known as question time, any member may pose a question to a Minister.

Regional sittings

Starting in 2002, the Queensland Parliament has held regional sittings of parliament across the state. Originally being held every three years, the occurrence has become more sporadic. The most recent was in 2023 in Cairns, the first regional sitting since the COVID-19 pandemic.

Distribution of seats

As of 13 September 2024, the composition of Parliament is:

• 47 votes as a majority are required to pass legislation.

Longest-serving members

Members of the Queensland Legislative Assembly (directly elected) who served over 30 years.

Members of the nominated Queensland Legislative Council who served over 30 years.

References

References

1. (23 April 2012). "The power of the Parliament of Queensland". Department of the Premier and Cabinet.
2. Green, Antony. (2016-04-21). "Electoral Law Ructions in the Queensland Parliament".
3. "About Us". Queensland Parliament.
4. (30 July 2012). "Creation of a state". Government of Queensland.
5. Tony Moore. (3 January 2013). "Compulsory confusion at the ballot box". Brisbane Times.
6. (1 April 2003). "Qld parliament goes live on the internet". The Sydney Morning Herald..
7. (30 May 2008). "Parliament accused of censorship over camera ban". Brisbane Times.
8. Daniel Hurst. (15 May 2012). "Simpson elected state's first female Speaker as Parliament resumes". Brisbane Times.
9. Wanna, John. (2010). "The Ayes Have It: The History of the Queensland Parliament 1957–1989". ANU E Press.
10. {{Cite Legislation AU. Qld. act. coq2001288. Constitution of Queensland 2001. 22
11. (October 2024). "Opening of Parliament".
12. "Information on Parliament". Queensland Parliament.
13. "Regional Sittings". Parliament of Queensland.