Electoral System of Australia - Double Dissolutions

Double Dissolutions

Under the Australian Constitution, the House of Representatives and the Senate generally have equal legislative powers (the only exception being that appropriation (supply) bills must originate in the House of Representatives). This means that a government formed in the House of Representatives can be seriously frustrated by a Senate majority determined to reject its legislation.

In these circumstances, Section 57 of the Constitution allows the Governor-General to dissolve the House of Representatives and the entire Senate – this is called a "double dissolution" – and issue writs for an election in which every seat in the Parliament is contested. A governor-general would usually take such action only on the advice of the Prime Minister.