Practice and Procedure

Odgers' Australian Senate Practice

A detailed reference work on all aspects of the Senate’s powers, procedures and practices. The 14th edition now contains updates to 30 June 2022.

The original 14th edition of Odgers’ Australian Senate Practice is available to download (PDF 6MB) and can be read in conjunction with the supplement which contains updates to 30 June 2022 (PDF 782KB)

Standing orders and other orders of the Senate The Senate's operating rules are contained in standing orders which govern the conduct of proceedings 
Procedural Information Bulletins The Bulletin provides a summary of major legislative highlights, and a commentary on the major procedural matters arising during the sitting period
Guides to Senate Procedure A series of information sheets aimed at those who need a practical understanding of the main procedures used in the Senate 
Senate Briefs
A series of information sheets giving a basic introduction to the Senate and its work
The Australian Constitution
The Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act, as amended, outlines the fundamental principles for the system of government in Australia including the membership and powers of the Senate 

Further research

Annotated Standing Orders of the Australian Senate
This publication provides the text of each standing order, its amendment history, and information about its origin, evolution, rationale and application. 
The Biographical Dictionary of the Australian Senate
An authoritative work of reference on the lives and careers of senators of the Australian Parliament. 
Harry Evans - Former Clerk of the Senate
Harry Evans is the longest serving Clerk of the Senate (1988 – 2009). This page contains a collection of his published writing.
Platypus and Parliament
The Australian Senate in Theory and Practice by Stanley Bach - A major study of the history and operations of the Australian Senate 
Can Responsible Government Survive in Australia?
A comparative analysis by David Hamer of the powers and procedures of twenty legislatures in Britain, Australia, Canada and New Zealand.
Papers on Parliament
This series includes the texts of Senate Lecture Series and other papers on parliamentary and governance issues.
Articles, addresses and other publications by Senate staff
Includes papers prepared for the Parliamentary Studies Centre, Australian National University, and papers by former Clerk of the Senate, Harry Evans 
Records of the Australasian Federal Conventions Transcripts of the 1890 Australasian Federal Conference and the Australasian Federal Conventions of 1897 and 1898 which were attended by representatives of the colonies to draft the Australian Constitution