Have we always had Liberal and Labor as the major parties?
Not always. In the first decade after Federation, the major parties in the Australian Parliament were the Free Trade Party, the Protectionist Party and the Australian Labor Party. The Australian Labor Party is the oldest Australian political party and was formed by the trade union movement in the 1890s. The Liberal Party of Australia was founded in 1944.
A major party is a political party with enough members elected to form government or opposition. This can change after a federal election, depending on how the Australian people vote.
House of Representatives current numbers
DPS AUSPIC/Parliamentary Education Office (peo.gov.au)
House of Representatives current numbers
DPS AUSPIC/Parliamentary Education Office (peo.gov.au)
Description
The current number of members in the House of Representatives from each party:
Government – 94 members
- Australian Labor Party
Opposition – 41 members
- Liberal Party of Australia (17)
- Liberal National Party of Queensland (16)
- The Nationals (8)
Minor parties – 5 members
- Australian Greens (1)
- Centre Alliance (1)
- Katter's Australian Party (1)
- One Nation (2)
Independents – 10 members
As at 28 May 2026
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.