First double dissolution

30 July 1914

When the Australian Constitution was being drafted one of the major issues was how to resolve a deadlock between the Senate and the House of Representatives. Section 57 of the Constitution provides for the dissolving of both Houses of Parliament – a double dissolution – when the houses of Parliament disagree on a bill. An election for all the Senate and the House of Representatives seats is held.

In 1914 the government had a minority in the Senate. In the hope of triggering a double dissolution and election where they might achieve a majority, the government introduced a bill it knew the opposition – and therefore the Senate – would not support. The tactic worked initially; the bill failed to pass in the Senate twice after a 3 month gap. The Governor-General agreed to a double dissolution of Parliament and to call a general election. However, the government was defeated at the election.

There have been 7 double dissolutions of the Australian Parliament and only once, in 1974, did the triggering bill/s become law, but only after a joint sitting of parliament.