Parliament of Victoria - Structure and Operation

Structure and Operation

See also: Parliamentary system and Westminster System

The Parliament has the power to make laws for Victoria in any matter. This is subject only to limitations placed on it by the Constitution of Australia which specifies which matters fall under the jurisdiction of the Commonwealth.

The Parliament of Victoria is a Bicameral Legislature meaning that it consists of two legislative chambers or houses, the Upper House or Legislative Council and the Lower House or Legislative Assembly. Each house has a number of committees which investigate proposed laws in detail before they are considered by the whole house. Some of the committee work is carried out by the Joint Committees which consist of members from all sides of politics and from both chambers. Like the Parliament the committees cease to exist when the Parliament is dissolved by the governor and need to be recreated after each general election, this means that often the names and jurisdiction of the committees is changed.

A proposed law or Bill can be introduced into either house, but in practice most are introduced into the Legislative Assembly, they must then be passed by both Houses before being presented to the Governor who will sign the Bill into law on behalf of the Queen.

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