Why are the doors locked when a division is held?

Thanks for your question.

During a division – a counted vote in the Australian Parliament – , members of parliament move to either side of the Presiding Officer's chair to show how they are voting. Senators and members of the House of Representatives sitting on either side of the President of the Senate's or Speaker of the House of Representatives' chair are counted and the results are recorded.

The doors are locked so there is no confusion during the count caused by senators or members entering or leaving the room. Those who are in the room are counted; those who are locked out are not counted.

Whips standing on either side of the Clerk's table in the Senate.

Party whips counting the votes in a division in the Senate

DPS Auspic

Party whips counting the votes in a division in the Senate

Whips standing on either side of the Clerk's table in the Senate.

DPS Auspic

Description

Two party whips standing on either side of the Clerk's table in the Senate during a division – a formal vote. The whips are responsible for counting and recording the votes. The whips also have other responsibilities as they help manage their party during sitting weeks in the Australian Parliament.

Permission should be sought from DPS AUSPIC for third-party or commercial uses of this image. To contact DPS AUSPIC email: auspic@aph.gov.au or phone: 02 6277 3342.