Decline Of Parliamntary Thesis

Question 0

Floodgating

Answer 0

Large number of bills pushed through HOR due to cabinets access to expertise. Non-cab limited resources for scrutiny

1901: HOR 113days, 17/28 passed
1995: HOR 70, 176 passed

Question 1

Cabinet power

Answer 1

Once the cabinet adopts a bill, all members of the party must publicly support it

Monopoly of advice from public service and political advisers
Secret deliberation + cabinet solidarity
PARTY LOYALTY AND PARTISAN VOTING
They have control of the agenda.

Question 2

PARTY SYSTEM

Answer 2

CMR.
Candidates stand as party members, not individuals. Elected, remain loyal.
Voting in HOR is a disciplined process.
Voting against can damage career/promotion
Louise Pratt

Question 3

Limiting Debate

Answer 3

Gag orders, guillotining, Floodgating

Question 4

Delegated legislation

Answer 4

Cabinet has ability to bypass legislative by making major policy changes through delegated legislation. Delegate legislative power to public servicemen.

Question 5

Party discipline

Answer 5

CMR, IMR - CMR is the clincher.

Question 6

Constitutional design of the HOR

Answer 6

Originally intended to be the peoples house.

“Peoples choice” is the dominate party - claim electoral mandate

Question 7

MHRs as partisans

Answer 7

Dominant role of MHRs is as partisans. Individual candidates are usually chosen by the party anyway
.
In ALP parliamentarians pledge to vote with caucus

Question 8

Debate on legislation

Answer 8

Grievance debates, members statements, petitions

Half day of each sitting week dedicated. MINIMAL impact on legislation

Question 9

Friendly senate

Answer 9

Only in 1949 proportional voting was intro. Before then, party with greatest support in the state wins all senate positions
Overwhelming senate majorities
43-46 ALP 33/36

Question 10

Proportional voting

Answer 10

Minorities represented

Question 11

Limited chance of senate majority

Answer 11

42% to get 3/6 positions. Get this in each state, still not enough. EXTRA 57.2% in one state. Only happened once howard govt.

Question 12

Senate committees

Answer 12

Make senate much more efficient
Reference committee looks broadly at leg issues
Leg committee scrutinises govt bills, administrative action and expenditure
Estimate committees
Committees have all powers of senate to summon and question witnesses and demand documents. Recommend amendments to bills and severely embarass govt w info they uncover