Introduction
The PEO (Parliament Education Office) states that the design of the building must facilitate members of parliament to perform the following four basic functions:
1. represent peopleAll four functions of parliament take place in the House of Representatives and Senate chambers as well as other rooms with functions such as radio and television broadcasting and printing reports and other documents.
2. make laws
3. scrutinise the government
4. form a government from elected parliamentarians.
The Australian Constitution has in part influenced the building of Australia’s Parliament House. The Constitution defines the Parliament in the following way:
This means that the Australian Parliament should have two chambers, one larger than the other and with enough office accommodation for all members, senators, staff and related services.Legislative power
1. The legislative power of the Commonwealth shall be vested in a Federal Parliament, which shall consist of the Queen, a Senate, and a House of Representatives.
Constitution of the House of Representatives
24. The House of Representatives shall be composed of members directly chosen by the people of the Commonwealth, and the number of such members shall be, as nearly as practicable, twice the number of the senators.
This section refers to the ministers who make up executive government (often referred to as the Cabinet; although the term Cabinet is not mentioned in the Constitution). Consequently, the Cabinet Room and ministers’ offices are located in Parliament House. This gives the ministers quick access to the Senate and the House of Representatives.Ministers of State
64. The Governor-General may appoint officers to administer such departments of State of the Commonwealth as the Governor-General in Council may establish.
Such officers shall hold office during the pleasure of the Governor-General. They shall be members of the Federal Executive Council, and shall be the Queen’s Minister of State for the Commonwealth.
This section demonstrates that the position of Canberra, the seat of Australian governance was determined not by the development of a population centre but by the Parliament of Australia.Seat of Government
125. The seat of Government of the Commonwealth shall be determined by the Parliament, and shall be within territory which shall have been granted to or acquired by the Commonwealth, and shall be vested in and belong to the Commonwealth, and shall be in the State of New South Wales, and be distant not less than one hundred miles from Sydney.
