Why is Queensland Parliament different?
What is the makeup of the Parliament of Queensland?
The Parliament of Queensland is comprised of two key components: the Sovereign (represented by the Governor of Queensland) and the Legislative Assembly. This unicameral structure, meaning it has only one house, distinguishes it from the federal Parliament of Australia, which is bicameral. The Governor’s role is largely ceremonial, acting on the advice of the government, while the Legislative Assembly is the primary legislative body.
The Legislative Assembly consists of 93 members, each elected to represent a specific electoral district across Queensland. These members of Parliament (MPs) are chosen by the people of Queensland through a democratic election process. The party or coalition of parties that wins the majority of seats in the Legislative Assembly forms the government, with their leader becoming the Premier of Queensland.
Within the Legislative Assembly, members are organized into government and opposition benches. The government benches are occupied by the Premier and their ministers, who are responsible for various portfolios, as well as backbenchers from the governing party. The opposition benches are filled by members of the largest non-government party or coalition, whose role is to scrutinize the government’s actions and propose alternative policies.