Posted 24/09/2010 by Parliamentary Library
The federal election of 2010 produced the first hung parliament since 1940. The Gillard Labor Government retained power by the smallest possible majority with the support of three independents and the Australian Greens. To secure a governing coalition, the Australian Labor Party committed to a series of wide-ranging parliamentary reforms with the Australian Greens and the Coalition including new procedures for Question Time in the House of Representatives, enhancing the authority of the Speaker, strengthening the role of committees, increasing the prominence of private members’ business and establishing a Parliamentary Budget Office and Parliamentary Integrity Commissioner.
Key challenges before this unique parliament will include implementing those reforms, making them work and dealing with their likely consequences, while continuing to address important national legislative and policy issues. Such issues include climate change, population pressures, regional development, economic prosperity, reforming social services and meeting environmental and energy needs. At this stage it appears that the proposed procedures will enable backbenchers and committees to play a greater role in shaping the agenda of the parliament. This might mean that an even greater variety of issues will be brought before the new parliament.
The Parliamentary Library has written a
Briefing Book to assist senators and members to prepare for significant issues that are expected to arise in the early months of the 43rd Parliament. It presents a brief introduction to areas of key public policy concern, outlines the context for those concerns and discusses possible new policy and legislative directions.
The issues are presented in summary form. Senators and members are encouraged to contact the Parliamentary Library researchers identified against each contribution for further assistance with confidential oral or written briefing, analysis or information. In addition, individual senators and members can request research on any parliamentary and policy issue by contacting the Parliamentary Library.
I am confident that the
Briefing Book will be a valuable resource for all senators and members. I and all my staff look forward to supporting the work of the 43rd Parliament throughout its term.
Roxanne Missingham
Parliamentary Librarian