Why is the Mace important?

The Mace represents the authority of the House of Representatives. At the start of each sitting day, the Serjeant-at-Arms carries the Mace into the House of Representatives and places it at the end of the central table to mark the start of the meeting. The crown of the Mace always points to the government. At the end of the day, the Serjeant-at-Arms removes the Mace.

The Mace is a tradition taken from the United Kingdom's House of Commons. The current Mace has been used in the House of Representatives since 1951. It was a gift to the Australian Parliament by the House of Commons and King George VI, to mark the Jubilee year – 50th anniversary – of Australia's Federation.