8 June 2024 marks the 30th anniversary of the inaugural sitting of the Federation Chamber. The Federation Chamber (then called the Main Committee) was created after the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Procedure recommended it be established in its About Time report in 1993.
The intended purpose of the Main Committee was to provide more time for the consideration of legislation before the House. It achieved this by acting as a second chamber in which legislation can be debated when the House is sitting. The Procedure Committee’s 1993 report found that the debate of legislation was being rushed and the House was regularly sitting until after midnight. The establishment of the Main Committee was a world first and allowed for more time for legislation to be debated without adding sitting days to the calendar.
When established, the Main Committee’s functions were more limited, with its time being primarily focused on legislation. Throughout its 30-year history, its role has grown considerably through the amendment of standing orders. In 1997, three-minute Members’ statements were introduced – a doubling of the time for Members’ statements in the House. In 2008, the Main Committee became the venue for grievance debate. Grievance debate is on the question ‘that grievances be noted’ and lasts for one hour. The broad nature of the question allows for debate to be practically unlimited in scope, giving Members 10 minutes to raise matters in which they have a particular interest or to discuss complaints of constituents.
In February 2012, the House agreed to rename the Main Committee to the Federation Chamber, in recognition of the importance of the House's second chamber and to avoid confusion with Parliament House’s Main Committee Room. Over time, the Federation Chamber has also helped to increase the time available for private Members' business and since 2016, Mondays have been dedicated entirely to opportunities for private Members.
In its 30 years, the Federation Chamber has met 1,391 times, 1,570 bills have been referred to it, and Members have spent over 2,340 hours debating legislation. These numbers demonstrate the Federation Chamber’s important contribution to managing the work of the House.
If you would like to learn more about the Federation Chamber, including its history, procedures, and typical sitting schedule, About the House has made an infosheet available.
All photos courtesy of AUSPIC/Department of Parliamentary Services.