Chapter 6 - Senators
The constitutional choices made by
the framers of the Australian Constitution delineated the political character
of members of the Senate. The provision for direct election of senators made
them the representatives of the people rather than the appointees of any other
body. The provisions for a six-year fixed term for senators and for elections
by rotation provided the opportunity for senators to have a greater degree of
independence from the executive government. The provisions for each state to
elect senators by voting as one electorate and for the equal representation of
the states gave senators a wider representative capacity than members for local
constituencies. Developments since 1901 have also significantly affected the character
of senators as representatives. The introduction of proportional representation
for Senate elections in 1949 made senators as a group more representative of
the range of opinions in the community. The establishment in 1970 of a
comprehensive committee system in the Senate provided senators with greater
opportunity for productive interaction with the people through committee
inquiries and hearings.
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