Can a senator be a minister?

Yes, senators can be ministers. A minister can be either a senator or a member of the House of Representatives. There are usually about 20 ministers in the House of Representatives and about 10 in the Senate.

Ministers are members of the Australian Government who have been given an area of responsibility – a portfolio – for how Australia is run. The prime minister chooses experienced and knowledgeable government members to be ministers, and expects them to work together on behalf of the government. 

The most high-profile portfolios are given to the most experienced government members, and they become part of the Cabinet. This is the main decision-making group within executive government.

In the Senate, senators sit on red 2-seater benches with wooden desks.

Ministers in the Senate

Paul Furness/DPS Auspic

Ministers in the Senate

In the Senate, senators sit on red 2-seater benches with wooden desks.

Paul Furness/DPS Auspic

Description

Ministers sit in the front row of the government benches in the Senate.

Permission should be sought from DPS AUSPIC for third-party or commercial uses of this image. To contact DPS AUSPIC email: auspic@aph.gov.au or phone: 02 6277 3342.