Parliament of Queensland

Parliament of Queensland
Parliament of Queensland
58th Parliament
Type
Type	Unicameral
Houses	Legislative Assembly
Sovereign	King (represented by the governor of Queensland)
History
Founded	22 May 1860; 164 years ago
Leadership
Monarch	Charles III ; since 8 September 2022
Governor	Jeannette Young ; since 1 November 2021
Speaker of the Legislative; Assembly	Pat Weir, Liberal National ; since 26 November 2024
Premier	David Crisafulli, Liberal National ; since 28 October 2024
Leader of the Opposition	Steven Miles, Labor ; since 28 October 2024
Structure
Seats	93
Political groups	Government (52); Liberal National (52); Opposition (36) Labor (36); Crossbench (5) Katter's Australian (3); Greens (1); Independent (1);
Elections
Voting system	Full preferential voting
Last election	26 October 2024
Next election	October 2028
Meeting place
	Parliament House,; Brisbane, Queensland,; Australia
Website
	parliament.qld.gov.au
Constitution
	Constitution of Queensland

The Parliament of Queensland is the legislature of the Australian State of Queensland. As provided under the Constitution of Queensland, the Parliament consists of the King, represented by the governor, and the Legislative Assembly. It has been the only unicameral state legislature in the country since the upper chamber, the Legislative Council, was abolished in 1922. The Legislative Assembly sits in Parliament House in the state capital, Brisbane.

The Queensland Parliament retains plenary legislative power over Queensland, however Commonwealth laws apply to the extent of any inconsistency. Some laws from the colonial era passed by the New South Wales parliament and the Imperial Parliament also remain in force.^[1]

Following the outcome of the 2015 election, four additional seats were added to the Legislative Assembly (to a total of 93), the voting system changed from optional preferential voting to full-preferential voting, and unfixed three-year terms were replaced with fixed four-year terms.^[2]

History

The Parliament was founded 22 May 1860, less than a year after the Colony of Queensland was created in June 1859.^[3] It was convened at military and convict barracks converted for the purpose located on Queen Street, Brisbane.^[4] Immigration was an important issue for the early Parliament. Population growth was encouraged with new settlers enticed by land ownership.^[5]

In 1915, Queensland became the first state to make voting compulsory at state elections.^[6]

Since 1 April 2003, live audio broadcasts have streamed through the internet from the Parliament while it is in session.^[7] In June 2007, the Parliament started broadcasting video of parliamentary proceedings. Nine in-house television cameras are used to record sessions.^[8]

The first female Speaker, Fiona Simpson was elected on 15 May 2012.^[9]

Membership

The Assembly has 93 members of Parliament (MPs). These are intended to represent approximately the same population in each electorate. Voting is by the full preferential voting system, with elections held approximately once every three years.

In April 2016, legislation was passed to increase the number of seats in the parliament by four to a total of 93. An amendment was also passed to abolish optional preferential voting. A referendum held the previous month was passed, supporting a bill to establish fixed four-year terms.

Royal assent

The role of the monarch in Parliament is to give royal assent to legislation. This function is in practice exercised by the governor of Queensland, who conventionally will never refuse assent to a bill that has passed the Legislative Assembly, unless otherwise advised by the executive council. The party or coalition with the most seats in the house is invited by the governor to form a government.

The leader of that party subsequently becomes the premier of Queensland, leading a Cabinet of ministers. In the Liberal National Party, the premier selects members of their party to act as ministers. In the Labor Party, the ministers are elected by party room ballot, with the leader then assigning ministerial portfolios to each one.

Operations

Once all winning candidates have been declared, the governor of Queensland proclaims a date for the start of the new Parliament.^[10] It is the role of the Clerk of the Parliament to call members to attendance.

According to the Constitution of Queensland, members of Parliament must swear an oath or affirmation to the King as well as an oath of office before signing a Roll of Members.^[10]^[11] This oath or affirmation must be made to the governor or someone authorised by him or her—typically the clerk of the Parliament.

Sworn-in representatives are required to elect a Speaker to preside over the House's business.^[10] Before this occurs, the longest serving member who is not a minister presides over the procedings.^[12] Once elected the Speaker is dragged to the chair and presented to the Governor at Government House.^[10] The symbol of the authority of the Parliament and its Speaker is the ceremonial mace. The sergeant-at-arms carries the mace into the chamber of parliament when the speaker enters at the start of each sitting day and removes it again when the speaker leaves at the end of the sitting day. During the sitting day, the mace rests on two raised brackets on the centre table with the head of the mace lying pointed towards the government's side. The current mace was designed and made in 1978 and is sterling silver with gold plating and is encrusted with 32 Queensland gemstones.^[13] Despite being the symbol of Parliament, it is engraved with the words "Government of Queensland".

The ceremonial opening of the new Parliament is marked by a speech by the governor. Traditionally the speech is written by the new government and it may outline current activities, budget details, statistics and proposed lists of legislation which are intended to be introduced.^[10]

A day in Parliament usually begins with housekeeping matters, including prayers, notifications and the tabling of any documents.^[10] An opportunity is then given to Ministers to make statements. During a period of no more than an hour, known as question time, any member may pose a question to a Minister.

Regional sittings

Starting in 2002, the Queensland Parliament has held regional sittings of parliament across the state.^[14] Originally being held every three years, the occurrence has become more sporadic, and, in 2023, the regional sitting took place in Cairns. It was the first sitting since the COVID-19 pandemic, and the second in twelve years.

No.	Location	Dates	Venue	Region
1	Townsville	3–5 September 2002	Townsville Entertainment and Convention Centre	North Queensland
2	Rockhampton	4–6 October 2005	Pilbeam Theatre	Central Queensland
3	Cairns	28–30 October 2008	Cairns Convention Centre	Far North Queensland
4	Mackay	24–26 May 2011	Mackay Entertainment and Convention Centre	Mackay, Isaac and Whitsunday
5	Townsville	3–5 September 2019	Townsville Entertainment and Convention Centre	North Queensland
6	Cairns	9–11 May 2023	Cairns Convention Centre	Far North Queensland

Distribution of seats

As of 13 September 2024, the composition of Parliament is:

Party		Seats
Party		Current Assembly (total 93 seats)
	Liberal National	52	52
	Labor	36	36
	Katter's Australian	3	3
	Greens	1	1
	Independent	1	1

47 votes as a majority are required to pass legislation.

References

^ "The power of the Parliament of Queensland". Legislation Handbook. Department of the Premier and Cabinet. 23 April 2012. Archived from the original on 18 February 2013. Retrieved 5 January 2013.
^ Green, Antony (21 April 2016). "Electoral Law Ructions in the Queensland Parliament". Archived from the original on 8 December 2016. Retrieved 20 January 2021.
^ "Almost 150 years strong" (lift out section). The Courier-Mail. 28 August 2007. pp. 40 to 41.
^ "About Us". Queensland Parliament. Archived from the original on 28 April 2013. Retrieved 3 January 2013.
^ "Creation of a state". Government of Queensland. 30 July 2012. Archived from the original on 18 November 2012. Retrieved 3 January 2013.
^ Tony Moore (3 January 2013). "Compulsory confusion at the ballot box". Brisbane Times. Fairfax Media. Archived from the original on 5 January 2013. Retrieved 3 January 2013.
^ "Qld parliament goes live on the internet". The Sydney Morning Herald. 1 April 2003. Archived from the original on 28 February 2005. Retrieved 3 January 2013.
^ "Parliament accused of censorship over camera ban". Brisbane Times. Fairfax Media. 30 May 2008. Archived from the original on 11 March 2016. Retrieved 3 January 2013.
^ Daniel Hurst (15 May 2012). "Simpson elected state's first female Speaker as Parliament resumes". Brisbane Times. Fairfax MEdia. Archived from the original on 19 February 2024. Retrieved 5 January 2013.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f Wanna, John; Tracey Arklay (2010). The Ayes Have It: The History of the Queensland Parliament 1957–1989 (PDF). ANU E Press. pp. 12–15. ISBN 978-1921666315. Archived (PDF) from the original on 21 January 2022. Retrieved 22 February 2021.
^ Constitution of Queensland 2001 (Qld) s 22
^ "Opening of Parliament" (PDF). Queensland Parliament. October 2024. p. 3. Retrieved 16 December 2024. The Clerk calls upon the longest continuously serving member who is not a minister, to take the chair as the presiding member.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
^ "Information on Parliament". Queensland Parliament. Archived from the original on 13 March 2023. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
^ "Regional Sittings". parliament.qld.gov.au. Parliament of Queensland. Archived from the original on 17 May 2023. Retrieved 17 May 2023.

External links

Official website

[ppq-1] "The power of the Parliament of Queensland". Legislation Handbook. Department of the Premier and Cabinet. 23 April 2012. Archived from the original on 18 February 2013. Retrieved 5 January 2013.

[2] Green, Antony (21 April 2016). "Electoral Law Ructions in the Queensland Parliament". Archived from the original on 8 December 2016. Retrieved 20 January 2021.

[3] "Almost 150 years strong" (lift out section). The Courier-Mail. 28 August 2007. pp. 40 to 41.

[about-4] "About Us". Queensland Parliament. Archived from the original on 28 April 2013. Retrieved 3 January 2013.

[coas-5] "Creation of a state". Government of Queensland. 30 July 2012. Archived from the original on 18 November 2012. Retrieved 3 January 2013.

[ccat-6] Tony Moore (3 January 2013). "Compulsory confusion at the ballot box". Brisbane Times. Fairfax Media. Archived from the original on 5 January 2013. Retrieved 3 January 2013.

[qpgl-7] "Qld parliament goes live on the internet". The Sydney Morning Herald. 1 April 2003. Archived from the original on 28 February 2005. Retrieved 3 January 2013.

[paoc-8] "Parliament accused of censorship over camera ban". Brisbane Times. Fairfax Media. 30 May 2008. Archived from the original on 11 March 2016. Retrieved 3 January 2013.

[ses-9] Daniel Hurst (15 May 2012). "Simpson elected state's first female Speaker as Parliament resumes". Brisbane Times. Fairfax MEdia. Archived from the original on 19 February 2024. Retrieved 5 January 2013.

[tahi-10] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f Wanna, John; Tracey Arklay (2010). The Ayes Have It: The History of the Queensland Parliament 1957–1989 (PDF). ANU E Press. pp. 12–15. ISBN 978-1921666315. Archived (PDF) from the original on 21 January 2022. Retrieved 22 February 2021.

[11] Constitution of Queensland 2001 (Qld) s 22

[12] "Opening of Parliament" (PDF). Queensland Parliament. October 2024. p. 3. Retrieved 16 December 2024. The Clerk calls upon the longest continuously serving member who is not a minister, to take the chair as the presiding member.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)

[13] "Information on Parliament". Queensland Parliament. Archived from the original on 13 March 2023. Retrieved 19 February 2024.

[14] "Regional Sittings". parliament.qld.gov.au. Parliament of Queensland. Archived from the original on 17 May 2023. Retrieved 17 May 2023.

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v t e Members of the Parliament of Queensland
Legislative Assembly	1860–1863 1863–1867 1867–1868 1868–1870 1870–1871 1871–1873 1873–1878 1878–1883 1883–1888 1888–1893 1893–1896 1896–1899 1899–1902 1902–1904 1904–1907 1907–1908 1908–1909 1909–1912 1912–1915 1915–1918 1918–1920 1920–1923 1923–1926 1926–1929 1929–1932 1932–1935 1935–1938 1938–1941 1941–1944 1944–1947 1947–1950 1950–1953 1953–1956 1956–1957 1957–1960 1960–1963 1963–1966 1966–1969 1969–1972 1972–1974 1974–1977 1977–1980 1980–1983 1983–1986 1986–1989 1989–1992 1992–1995 1995–1998 1998–2001 2001–2004 2004–2006 2006–2009 2009–2012 2012–2015 2015–2017 2017–2020 2020–2024 2024–2028
Legislative Council	1860–1869 1870–1879 1880–1889 1890–1899 1900–1909 1910–1916 1917–1922

v t e Queensland Government
Executive	Monarchy Governor Executive Council Cabinet Premier Deputy Premier Treasurer Attorney-General Department of the Premier and Cabinet Queensland Treasury Department of Justice and Attorney-General Department of Education Queensland Health Queensland Police Service Queensland Fire Department Queensland Ambulance Service
Legislature	Parliament Legislative Assembly Electoral districts Members of Parliament Speaker of the Legislative Assembly Leader of the House Opposition Leader Deputy Opposition Leader Shadow Cabinet Manager of Opposition Business
Judiciary	Supreme Court Court of Appeal Court of Disputed Returns District Court Children's Court of Queensland Magistrates Court Coroners Court of Queensland Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal Other courts and tribunals