Why are some members of Parliament called honourable?

A member of parliament who is or has been a minister, the President of the Senate or Speaker of the House of Representatives may use the title 'Honourable'. This title may be used for the rest of their life and reflects the honour and responsibility of their previous role.

The President of the Senate sits in a large red chair.

The President of the Senate

David Foote/DPS Auspic

The President of the Senate

The President of the Senate sits in a large red chair.

David Foote/DPS Auspic

Description

The President of the Senate sits in a large, red chair on an elevated platform in the Senate. The President is a senator who has been picked to run the meetings in the Senate. The President’s chair faces the U-shaped seating of the other senators. From here, the President can see and hear everything that happens, and everyone in the Senate can see the President.