Description a new senator stands in the senate. It includes information about the role, appearance and origins of the senate. He holds a holy book and reads an oath of allegiance to the crown while other senators watch.
Tap on the icons to explore the work that senators do in parliament and their state or territory. First indigenous member of parliament 11 june 1971 neville bonner is the first indigenous australian to become a member of the australian parliament. Senator neville bonner represented the people of queensland in the senate from 1971 to 1983.
Senator the hon michaelia cash the leader of the opposition in the senate is chosen by their party or coalition of parties to lead them in the senate and is the main opposition spokesperson in the senate. This fact sheet explores the senate, which is part of the australian parliament. Decides matters of national interest represents the interests of people in their states or territories proposes, debates and votes on bills and amendments examines issues in committees scrutinises executive government. If the senator who left was an independent or was elected as a member of a party that no longer exists, the state or territory parliament with responsibility to fill the vacancy decides on an appropriate replacement.
The newly appointed senator must be a member of the same political party as the senator who has left. To become a senator you need to get elected by the voters in your state or territory at a federal election. Discover the work of senators in this fact sheet.