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Watch Parliament

Today's broadcasts of Parliament activities

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Bills

Latest updates to Bills

Updated On	Title
31 Jan 2013	Anti-Money Laundering Amendment (Gaming Machine Venues) Bill 2012
31 Jan 2013	Water Amendment (Water for the Environment Special Account) Bill 2012
30 Jan 2013	Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples Recognition Bill 2012
30 Jan 2013	Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals Legislation Amendment Bill 2012
30 Jan 2013	Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Legislation Amendment Bill (No. 1) 2012
30 Jan 2013	Biosecurity Bill 2012 [2013]

Browse all bills by title

Committees

Parliamentary Committees

Both the Senate and the House of Representatives have extensive committee systems, and also work together on a number of joint committees. To find out more about the work of committees:

House of Representatives

Senate

Hansard

Hansard

Browse Hansard of Current Parliament

Latest Hansard Documents

Sitting date	Transcript
01 Feb 2013	Environment and Communications References Committee - Australian Broadcasting Corporation programming for regional diversity and national identity
31 Jan 2013	Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee - Migration Amendment (Unauthorised Maritime Arrivals and Other Measures) Bill 2012
31 Jan 2013	Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee - Courts and Tribunals Legislation Amendment (Administration) Bill 2012
31 Jan 2013	Community Affairs Legislation Committee - National Disability Insurance Scheme Bill 2012
31 Jan 2013	Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works - Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation extension to Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder project
30 Jan 2013	Standing Committee on Economics - Tax Laws Amendment (2012 Measures No. 6) Bill 2012

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Parliamentary Library


	The Parliamentary Library is part of the Department of Parliamentary Services and provides services to senators, members, their staff and the staff of committees. The first library services were delivered to federal parliament in 1901 and continue to provide significant support to parliament and the democratic process. Follow the Parliamentary Library on Twitter

Research and Publications

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The House of Representatives , known as the people's house, is where government is formed. It has 150 members, and the party or parties able to gain the support of the majority of the House form government. The House's other roles are to debate proposed laws, watch over government expenditure, including through its committee system, and to provide a forum for public debate on issues of national importance.

The Senate is a partner with the House in the legislative process, but is also a check on the government of the day. It consists of 76 senators - 12 from each state and 2 from each territory. The Senate conducts much of its work through an established committee system, including the budget estimates accountability process.

Experience Parliament

Parliament House is open to visitors every day of the year except for Christmas Day. The building is open from 9:00am to 5:00pm during non-sitting weeks and later during sitting weeks. Please refer to the calendar or contact Visitor Services on 02 6277 5399 for more information.