Alert Digests (Scrutiny of Bills Committee)
Issued each week when the Senate is sitting, the Alert Digest summarises the bills considered by the Scrutiny of Bills Committee that week and sets out the Committee's views on any clauses which it considers contravenes the principles contained in its terms of reference.
The Annotated Standing Orders provide a history, context and rationale for each of the Senate standing orders (rules which govern the conduct of proceedings).
Transcripts of debates of the 1890 Australasian Federation Conference and the Australasian Federal Conventions of 1897 and 1898 which were attended by representatives of the colonies to draft the Australian Constitution.
These publications provide a complete list of all bills before Parliament for the current calendar year and details of their progress through both houses of Parliament.
A list of bills currently before Senate legislation committees and their reporting dates.
The Biographical Dictionary of the Australian Senate is an authoritative work of reference on the lives and careers of senators of the Australian Parliament. The three volumes published so far cover all senators whose parliamentary service ended in or prior to 1983.
This work, published in 2004, provides a detailed and systematic comparative analysis of the powers and procedures of twenty legislatures in Britain, Australia, Canada and New Zealand.
Also known as the "Committee Red", this document is issued the day before committees are scheduled to hold public hearings in Parliament House. It lists the time, place and business of forthcoming committee meetings and hearings, the names of committee chairs and secretaries, and a list of persons scheduled to appear as witnesses (when known).
Contains the date, time, venue and purpose of forthcoming committee meetings and hearings both at Parliament House and elsewhere. Lists the name and phone number of the secretary of each committee scheduled to meet.
The Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act outlines the fundamental principles for the system of government in Australia including the membership and powers of the Senate.
The Corporate Plan outlines the department’s strategic direction in providing non-partisan advice, support and information to senators, and information about the Senate and its committees to the public.
Published each week when the Senate is sitting, the Monitor lists disallowable instruments of delegated legislation tabled in the Senate in the preceding week, summarises the effect of the delegated legislation, cites the parent Act from which it derives its authority, and notes the date it was made and the date it was tabled.
A list of disallowance notices before the Senate.
The Dynamic Red provides information on the proceedings of the Senate which is updated during the course of the sitting day. It shows the progress of legislation and the results of motions moved and other business conducted in the Senate. Where possible, it also contains links to source documents such as those relating to committee memberships, tabled documents and amendments to legislation.
These are guidelines on the procedures to be adopted by government officers when requested to assist parliamentary committees. The guidelines are the government's views and have not been endorsed by either House of Parliament.
This series is aimed at those who require a practical understanding of the main procedures used in the Senate.
Hansard is the name given to the edited transcripts of debates in the Senate, House of Representatives, Federation Chamber and parliamentary committees. They are published shortly after the chamber or committee proceedings have concluded.
This leaflet contains general advice to those wishing to make written submissions to committees.
This wide-ranging book retells 31 forgotten tales from the Australian Senate and the wider parliamentary world.
The Journals of the Senate are the official record (minutes) of the proceedings of the Senate and the most authoritative source of information about Senate activities and decisions. They record all actions taken by the Senate in the course of its proceedings.
Includes a database of senators—searchable by name, state/territory and party—which lists senators’ portfolio or office holder positions and provides links to an email or online form. Tables show commencement and expiry dates of senators' terms of service, dates and place of birth and female senators. Also includes a contact list of senators.
This leaflet describes the procedures relating to the appearance of witnesses at committee hearings and contains advice to those appearing as witnesses.
The Notice Paper is the official list of business before the Senate and includes forthcoming business and other useful information.
Odgers’ Australian Senate Practice is a detailed reference work on all aspects of the Senate's powers, procedures and practices. Matters covered range from broad constitutional principles to the fine details of the rules of debate and procedure. The work has for its base the Constitution, the standing orders, rulings of successive presidents, practice and precedent.
The Senate Order of Business is issued each sitting day before the Senate meets as a guide to the matters proposed to be dealt with that day, and includes a list of government documents to be tabled. It is referred to as the Senate "Red" because of the distinctive red stripe along its top and side. The Red contains the most up-to-date information available at the time it is printed. The program in the Senate, however, is subject to change, so the details in the Red are updated throughout the day online in the Dynamic Red.
Papers in this series include texts of Senate Occasional Lectures and other papers on parliamentary and governance issues.
An index to papers presented in the House of Representatives and the Senate (published twice each year).
This report is a comprehensive guide to the history, practice and procedures of the Senate Committee of Privileges. It contains a history and analysis of Senate privilege matters from 1901 to 2005, a summary and index of Privileges Committee reports from its establishment in 1966, statistics on the committee's work and lists of members, chairs and deputy chairs.
Platypus and Parliament: The Australian Senate in Theory and Practice by Stanley Bach
This major study of the history and operations of the Australian Senate covers a range of topics including the design and operation of Australia’s system of government, an analysis of the confrontation between the Senate and the House of Representatives in 1975, proposals for parliamentary reform, the republic debate, minority parties and the balance of power, mandate theory, accountability and responsible government.
Department of the Senate budget initiatives and explanations of appropriations specified by outcome.
Issued at the end of each block of sitting weeks, the Bulletin provides a summary of major legislative highlights and committee reports tabled; and a commentary on the major procedural matters arising in the period under review.
This leaflet outlines procedures governing the appearance of witnesses before Senate committees including matters constituting contempts in relation to Senate committees.
The Register of Senate Committee Reports lists reports tabled since 1970 by committees administered by the Senate Committee Office and bills referred to committees.
The Scrutiny of Bills Committee examines all bills and reports to the Senate on whether they contravene principles contained in its terms of reference. The reports also include the responses of ministers to the committee's concerns.
The 'Scrutiny of Disallowable Instruments' lists those disallowable instruments (both legislative and non-legislative) that appear to breach the principles of scrutiny of the Senate Standing Committee on Regulations and Ordinances.
This series of information sheets aims to give a basic introduction to the Senate and its work.
The Senate Daily Summary is a convenient summary of each day’s proceedings in the Senate. Most of the items in the Summary have direct links to the relevant section of the Journals and other Senate documents.
Outlines the work of each of the legislative and general purpose standing committees during the period 1970–1990. An introductory section outlines the origins of the standing committee system.
Includes papers prepared for the Parliamentary Studies Centre, Australian National University; and papers by former Clerk of the Senate, Harry Evans.
The Senate’s operating rules are contained in standing orders which govern the conduct of proceedings. They cover a wide range of topics, including the election of the President, the handling of legislation, formation of committees, routine of business and the conduct of senators. They are made and amended from time to time by the Senate under section 50 of the Constitution and are supplemented by other miscellaneous procedural orders which cover matters such as parliamentary privilege.
Previous editions of the Standing Orders and other orders of the Senate
Annotated Standing Orders of the Australian Senate
A compilation of pages providing statistical breakdowns of various activities of the Senate.
This database provides a search facility to enable access to digitised images of documents tabled in the Senate since 1901.
Tips on searching the database
A Miscellany is a collection of various, miscellaneous items brought together in a single volume. There Being No Objection provides insights to some of the parliamentary puzzles that have long mystified Australians.
Issued twice yearly, Work of Committees provides an overview of committee activities for the period under review.