About the House News

International Women’s Day 2023 - Interview with Claressa Surtees, Clerk of the House of Representatives

Wednesday, 8 March 2023

Claressa Surtees is the current Clerk of the House of Representatives – the 17th in the House’s history and the first woman to hold the position. For International Women’s Day, we asked Claressa about her time as Clerk and her reflections on the role.

General interest

House sittings commence for 2023

Friday, 3 February 2023

On Monday 6 February, the House of Representatives will begin the first sitting week of 2023. Here is a brief overview of what is planned to be debated, and how you can stay up to date during the week.

Parliament Explained: Work of the House

Friday, 6 January 2023

Previous Parliament Explained articles have explored how Australia’s system of government is formed, the House of Representatives and its rules, and the Federation Chamber. This article will examine when the House sits and what happens when it does, House committees, and the petitions system.

Parliament Explained: The House and its rules

Tuesday, 13 December 2022

Previous Parliament Explained articles have explored Australia’s system of government, how it is formed and its responsibilities, as well as the roles of those within the House of Representatives. This article will examine the House of Representatives chamber, its rules and layout, and the lesser-known Federation Chamber.

Parliament Explained: Role of the House

Wednesday, 23 November 2022

Previous Parliament Explained articles have explored Australia’s system of government, how government is formed, the responsibilities and levels of government, and the separation of powers. This article will examine what the House of Representatives does and the various roles and responsibilities of those within the House.

Parliament Explained: Government - Part 2

Monday, 22 August 2022

In our last Parliament Explained article we wrote about our system of government, how government is formed and what the responsibilities of government include. This article will dive deeper into what a responsible government is, the levels of government, the separation of powers and more.

Medium public works template - now accessible online

Thursday, 18 August 2022

The Public Works Committee of the 47th Parliament has published a medium works notification template for all projects seeking Committee approval between $2 and $15 million ($2 – 75 million for Defence purposes).

Parliament Explained: Government

Wednesday, 27 July 2022

A system of government is the structure for how a country is run. Some examples of different systems of government are: democracy, communism, dictatorship, monarchy and republic.

The Opening of Parliament

Monday, 25 July 2022

Tomorrow is the formal opening of the 47th Parliament – this is the first meeting of a new Parliament following the May 2022 general election.

Parliament Explained: Federation

Tuesday, 5 July 2022

Australia became a nation on 1 January 1901 when six British colonies—New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia and Tasmania—united to form the Commonwealth of Australia. This process is known as Federation.

Parliament Explained: Democracy

Thursday, 16 June 2022

Democracy means ‘rule by the people’. The word comes from the ancient Greek words ‘demos’ (the people) and ‘kratos’ (to rule).

Have your say on House Committee reports

Thursday, 2 June 2022

The Department of the House of Representatives is undertaking a review into House Committee reports’ readability and accessibility.

The Parliament has been prorogued and dissolved, but what does this mean?

Monday, 11 April 2022

The Official Secretary to the Governor-General has just read the proclamation proroguing the parliament and dissolving the House of Representatives, officially bringing an end to the 46th Parliament. When the House is dissolved, this triggers a general election. At the same time, the Governor-General has also prorogued the Parliament. What does this all mean?

Federal Budget 2022-23

Monday, 28 March 2022

Tomorrow is Budget Day - one of the busiest and most important sitting days of the parliamentary year. It is the day when the government announces the Federal Budget.

International Women's Day - Celebrating women in Parliament

Wednesday, 9 March 2022

This International Women's Day, About the House is celebrating remarkable firsts achieved by female political leaders in the Federal Parliament.

Promoting Australia’s Capital
Sunday, 26 March 2023
The Joint Standing Committee on the National Capital and External Territories will examine ways to foster and promote the significance of Australia’s National Capital in a new inquiry.
University of Canberra to appear before Trade Subcommittee
Wednesday, 22 March 2023
The Trade Subcommittee of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade will hold a public hearing for its Inquiry into Australia’s tourism and international education sectors on Wednesday, 22 March.
VET Inquiry public hearings commence
Tuesday, 21 March 2023
The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Employment, Education and Training is holding the first public hearing for its inquiry into the perceptions and status of VET.
Intelligence and Security Committee recommends passage of the IGIS Modernisation Bill
Monday, 20 March 2023
The Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security (PJCIS) today presented its Advisory Report on the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security and Other Legislation Amendment (Modernisation) Bill 2022.