Who allocates the seating positions of government members in the House of Representatives? On what basis?
Each senator and member of the House of Representatives is given their own seat in the Senate or House of Representatives. Members of the government sit to the right of the President of the Senate or Speaker of the House of Representatives, members of the opposition to the left and minor party and independents towards the centre.
The first row of seating is reserved for ministers and shadow ministers. Assistant ministers and shadow assistant ministers sit in the second row. Senators and members without special jobs sit in the remaining seats (the backbenches).
The government and opposition whips organise which seats members of their team are given. In the House, the opposition whip consults with minor party and independent to assign their seats.
The government side of the House of Representatives
Penny Bradfield/DPS AUSPIC
The government side of the House of Representatives
Penny Bradfield/DPS AUSPIC
Description
The leader of the government is the Prime Minister, who stands and speaks at the main table in the House of Representatives. Members of the government sit in the 5 rows behind the Prime Minister. The government is the party or coalition of parties with the support of the majority of members of the House.
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