Functions of Parliament Is it effective?

Functions Representation of the community Deliberation and debate of major public issues Legislation Making(and breaking) executive governments Scrutiny of executive actions Authorising public expenditure Recruitment and socialisation

Representative functions Represent who? Express majority opinions Express minority opinions Reflect a broad section of backgrounds Electorate ( Delegate/Trustee) Party (Partisan)

Representative Function Reality? Majority dominates in Lower Houses Minority has input into Upper House Party’s dominate overall.Why? Promotion, party pledge

Forum for Debate Should be where nations important issues are discussed. Many opportunities to discuss issues by all members of Parliament.

Forum for debate Question time Address in Reply Matters of Public Importance Urgency Motions Petitions Adjournment debate Committees

Forum for debate Limitations on debate? Executive dominance allows for manipulation of procedures:i.e. Gag, guillotine, floodgating, Speaker and Dorthy dixers Point scoring over nations good. Sitting days are limited (170 in UK/ 60 in Aust). Government dominates Parliamentary time.

Legislation Should have wide ranging input Initiate, deliberate and finally pass legislation. However- parliament is more of a vehicle for legislation. Almost all of it is initiated in cabinet by the executive, and bills can pass with limited debate/ compromise.

Legislation HOR- never much input Senate-can if hostile or independent. Executive dominance of parliament because of numbers, procedures means there is limited input or scrutiny by those outside the executive.

Making and breaking the Government Important characteristics of Westminster system. We do not vote directly for executive. Party with majority forms government, therefore they are responsible to it. Better to say governments are formed through parliament than by it. Elections make governments

Scrutiny of executive actions There should be scrutiny of government bills, expenditure and administrative actions. I.e./ ACCOUNTABILITY This is done through: Q time, other parliamentary debates, censure motions against individuals and government as a whole and committees.

Scrutiny of the Executive Is this done? To some extent, but is often limited due to executive dominance(numbers and procedures), point scoring and limited sitting times. Senate can have greater opportunity if not rubber stamp.

Public expenditure All monies in or out of government must pass both houses of parliament. Revenue- Taxes Expenditure- Budget, new initiatives. Must be initiated in lower houses and convention states that upper house should not block supply.

Recruitment and socialisation Place where the general public is taught about politics Place where MP’s can learn about leadership roles