The Prime Minister must sit in the House of Representatives. Can the Deputy Prime Minister be a senator?

The Prime Minister is the key spokesperson of the Australian Government, head of Cabinet, leader of the government.

Role of the Prime Minister in Australia.

Parliamentary Education Office (peo.gov.au)

Role of the Prime Minister in Australia.

The Prime Minister is the key spokesperson of the Australian Government, head of Cabinet, leader of the government.

Parliamentary Education Office (peo.gov.au)

Description

This graphic shows that the Prime Minister is the most senior minister in the Australian Government as well as being key spokesperson for Australia, the head of Cabinet and the leader of the government.

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Hi Janet, thanks for your question about the role of Deputy Prime Minister.

As you stated, the Prime Minister is always a member of the House of Representatives. This is by convention – tradition – ; there is no rule that the Prime Minister can not be a senator. However, the Prime Minister, as the leader of the government, would want to be a member of the House of Representatives because this is where government is formed.

The Deputy Prime Minister is also always a member of the House of Representatives. This means that if the Prime Minister is unable to fulfil their duties, the Deputy Prime Minister can act in their place.