What is the role and function of the Senate?

The role of the Senate is to represent states and territories, debate bills, decide national matters and scrutinise government.

Role of the Senate.

Parliamentary Education Office (peo.gov.au)

Role of the Senate.

The role of the Senate is to represent states and territories, debate bills, decide national matters and scrutinise government.

Parliamentary Education Office (peo.gov.au)

Description

This diagram illustrates the role of the Australian Senate. The Senate: decides matters of national interest; represents the interests of people in their states or territories; proposes, debates and votes on bills and amendments; examines issues in committees; and scrutinises—closely examines—executive government.

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Thank you for your question, Ellie. The Senate is one of the 2 houses of the Australian Parliament. Its main role is to:

  • debate and vote on bills – ideas for laws
  • scrutinise – closely examine – the work of the government to make sure its decisions are in the best interest of Australians
  • represent the people of the 6 states and 2 territories
  • discuss issues of importance to Australians.

One of the main roles of the Parliament is to make laws for Australia. A bill can only become a law if it is agreed to by both the Senate and House of Representatives and signed into law by the Governor-General.