How to become a Member of Parliament
Any member of the community may seek to become a Member of Parliament by either independent nomination, or by becoming a member of a political party and then standing for pre-selection. This process involves being selected from other candidates by a selection panel of a particular political party to represent that party in Parliament. People also choose to stand as independent candidates which means they are not affiliated with any particular party.
Most Members of Parliament belong to political parties and subscribe to the policies of those parties if elected. Some parties include: the Australian Labor Party; Christian Democratic Party; the Greens; the Liberal Party; the Nationals; and the Shooters Party. Nominations to stand for election to Parliament must be lodged with the NSW Electoral Commission within a specified time before an election.
The New South Wales Parliament has two Houses, the Legislative Assembly and the Legislative Council.
There are 93 Members in the Legislative Assembly. Members of the Legislative Assembly (MPs) are elected for a term of four years, after which a General Election must be held.
Members of the Legislative Council (MLCs) are elected for two terms of the Legislative Assembly, thus having a maximum first term of eight years. There are 42 Members in the Legislative Council, 21 Members retire at elections held at the same time as elections for the Legislative Assembly. Council Members represent the whole State as one constituency.
The Local Member in the Electorate
Members of the Legislative Assembly work locally for the people in the area that they represent. The people who live and/or work in an electorate are often referred to as "constituents". As the constituents' representative in Parliament, an MP receives and deals with many requests for assistance. These might concern housing, transport, local councils, environmental issues, youth and community services, the police, and objections to land tax and water and sewerage rates. Some matters may be strictly outside the power of State Government and they will be referred to people who may be able to help.
An MP attends to the concerns and problems of local organisations and businesses. All Members have regular dealings with government departments. In some cases they can be more effective than a member of the public when dealing with departments as they have access to the Ministers responsible for those departments.
During the day, in the evenings and at weekends Members are expected to attend many important meetings and functions of all kinds within their constituencies. These include meetings relating to the community, schools, business organisations, charities and social or sporting clubs. MPs may chair local meetings, participate in seminars and act as patron to many organisations.
The Local Member in Parliament
The Government is formed from the Members of the political party (or parties in the case of a coalition) successful at a general election in winning the majority of seats in the Legislative Assembly. The Opposition consists of the elected Members of the largest political party or coalition of political parties winning the next highest number of seats.
The New South Wales Parliament usually meets for two groups of sittings in each year; the Budget sittings are normally from February to June and the Spring sittings are from August to late November or early December. Sittings are flexible and in special circumstances the Parliament may be recalled at any time.
Members spend much time in considering Bills, which become Acts of Parliament if passed by both Houses, and in general reading and study to prepare themselves for discussions in the party room and debates in the House. The party room is where the Members of a political party meet regularly to discuss and vote on policies and plan strategy. Members have a responsibility and loyalty to their party. Most backbenchers serve on various committees within the party as well as on committees set up by the Parliament.
Time is also spent in talking with fellow Parliamentarians, journalists, the business sector and people with special interests who make appointments to see the Member. Members may make personal approaches (representations) to Ministers and Departments regarding matters raised by constituents, or other matters on which they require advice or seek attention.
A Member of Parliament can be either a Government Minister responsible for a portfolio eg. Transport, a Shadow Minister, or a backbencher. A local Member who is not in either the Ministry of the Government or the shadow Ministry of the Opposition is called a "backbencher". A local Member who is called upon to become a Minister and take responsibility for a portfolio eg. Health, becomes a Member of the Cabinet. Cabinet usually meets once a week and discusses both general and specific matters of State, proposed legislation and financial affairs. They continue to represent constituents at the same time.
The Local Member during Sittings of Parliament
Business conducted during a session of Parliament is varied. Some common matters dealt with by the Legislative Assembly are listed below:
Legislation
Changes to the law agreed upon by the Parliament are called Acts. Before they have passed through both Houses and been formally assented to by the Governor, they are called Bills. Bills are needed to establish legal codes of conduct, to define the legal rights and duties of citizens, to authorise the creation of Government and some private agencies and invest them with powers, and to sanction government spending and taxation.
All Bills are debated in detail by both Houses of the Parliament following a set procedure. A Bill will pass between the two Houses until both agree on the wording.
The legislative process ensures that there is sufficient time for Members to consider the detail and consequences of a Bill, and also for community consultation to occur.
Private Members' Statements
Time is set aside for Members to raise matters of general concern. Members may use this time to raise electorate issues.
Petitions
Petitions are lodged by the local Member from citizens requesting action to be taken by the Legislature or a Minister.
Questions asked during Question Time and Written Questions
Questions cover every aspect of State affairs, many related to the work of a local MP. This gives the Members the opportunity to make inquiries on behalf of their constituents and local organisations, and to ask questions of the Ministers concerning matters within their administration.
Being a Member of Parliament is a full-time job and every Member of Parliament is bound to attend the sittings of the House unless leave is granted by the House. A Member of Parliament's seat becomes vacant if the Member remains absent for one whole session without leave being granted.
All citizens should feel free to contact their local Member of Parliament with any problem or request, as they are the voice of the people in the democratic Parliamentary process in New South Wales.
First Published: March, 1995
Updated: April, 2007 |