What is the minimum number of senators required in the Senate for a bill to pass?
The Senate.
DPS AUSPIC
The Senate.
DPS AUSPIC
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Hi, thanks for your question.
It depends what kind of vote is being taken.
In both the Senate and House of Representatives, most votes are decided by a vote on the voices, and bills – proposed law – can pass with a handful of senators or members present. If a division – formal vote – is held, a minimum number of senators or members must be present for the result to count.
In a vote on the voices, the President of the Senate or Speaker of the House of Representatives will ask those who agree with the bill to say ‘Aye’ and those against to say ‘No’. They then decide who is in the majority. In this case, the bill may pass with only a few senators in the Senate. If more than one senator or member disagrees with this result, a division can be called.
In the Senate, at least 19 senators – one quarter of the total number of senators – must vote in a division for it to count. In the House, 30 members must be present – one fifth of the total number of members. This is called quorum and is the minimum number of members required for the Senate and House to meet.
If 19 senators are not present for a division, the President of the Senate can adjourn – suspend – the Senate until the next sitting day. This gives senators a chance to form a quorum, so the division can be held again. Under House standing orders, the Speaker can adjourn the House until a quorum can be formed.
A bill will only pass the Senate or House if the majority present – half plus one – vote for it. For a bill to become law, it must be agreed to by the Senate and House of Representatives and receive Royal Assent by being signed by the Governor-General.