About the House News

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.

House sittings commence for 2022

Tuesday, 8 February 2022

Today, the House of Representatives will begin the first sitting week of 2022. Here is a brief overview of what is planned to be debated, and how you can stay up to date during the week.

Inquiries accepting submissions over the summer break

Thursday, 23 December 2021

Looking for something to do over the summer break? Parliamentary committees investigate specific matters of policy or government administration or performance. These Committees provide an opportunity for organisations and individuals to participate in policy making and to have their views placed on the public record and considered as part of the decision-making process.

Committee

Celebrating 75 years of regular radio broadcast of the Australian Parliament

Thursday, 25 November 2021

This year we celebrated the 75th anniversary of parliamentary broadcasting. Since 1946, Australians have been able to tune in to Parliament from across the country.

By-election for the electoral division of Groom

Thursday, 8 October 2020

A by-election in the division of Groom will be held on Saturday 28 November.

Chamber

Groom by-election

Friday, 18 September 2020

A statement from the Speaker, following the resignation of Member for Groom Dr John McVeigh.

General interest Procedural

House History: The end of the war

Tuesday, 18 August 2020

On Wednesday 15 August 1945, World War II ended. How was the end of the war marked in the House of Representatives? Read on to find out.

Chamber General interest

COVID-19: Statement by the Presiding Officers regarding sittings of Parliament – for the period 24 August 2020 to 3 September 2020

Monday, 17 August 2020

An announcement on arrangements for operations and activities at Parliament House for the upcoming sittings, along with specific requests to persons travelling to the ACT.

General interest

The Parliament’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic

Tuesday, 28 July 2020

Both Houses of the Parliament sat from 10 to 18 June 2020 in what was the first full sitting fortnight since the beginning of March. In the first week, the Houses sat on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday (the first sitting Friday since 2008).

General interest Chamber Procedural Committee

Resignation of Member and valedictory remarks

Friday, 29 May 2020

When a Member resigns his or her seat in the House, he or she must do so by writing to the Speaker (or to the Governor-General if the Speaker is absent). The resignation takes effect and the Member’s seat becomes vacant from the time the letter of resignation is received by the Speaker or the Governor-General.

Chamber General interest Procedural

House Review: 8 April 2020

Wednesday, 15 April 2020

On 8 April, the focus of the House was on four bills to implement further elements of the Government’s economic response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Chamber Procedural

COVID-19: Statement by the Presiding Officers regarding temporary and precautionary changes to Parliament House operations

Monday, 16 March 2020

Following implementation of pandemic planning measures, ongoing consultations between the Presiding Officers, Parliamentary Departments and relevant Commonwealth officers and agencies including the Chief Medical Officer, temporary and precautionary changes have been made regarding the operations of Parliament House.

General interest Chamber Committee

Last chance to have your say on regional Australia

Thursday, 27 February 2020

Time is running out to have your say on life in regional Australia.

Committee General interest

Australia’s deteriorating security environment leads to surge in PJCIS workload
Friday, 1 April 2022
Australia’s rapidly deteriorating security environment, which is characterised by unprecedented levels of foreign interference, cyber attacks and terrorism, has led to a record high workload for the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security in the 46th Parliament.
Final report into PFAS remediation in and around Defence bases
Thursday, 31 March 2022
The Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade (JSCFADT) presented its final report into Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) remediation in and around Defence bases today.
PJCIS joint statement - on the passing of David Irvine AO
Thursday, 31 March 2022
On behalf of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security, we extend our deepest sympathies to the Irvine family and to all who loved him and had the privilege to know him.
Government procurement to support sovereign security
Thursday, 31 March 2022
A new parliamentary inquiry report highlights that government procurement has an important part to play in supporting the development of Australia’s sovereign industry capability.