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Watch Parliament

Today's broadcasts of Parliament activities

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Bills

Latest updates to Bills

Updated On	Title
18 Dec 2012	Migration Amendment (Unauthorised Maritime Arrivals and Other Measures) Bill 2012
14 Dec 2012	Clean Energy (Unit Issue Charge—Auctions) Amendment Bill 2012
14 Dec 2012	Clean Energy Amendment (International Emissions Trading and Other Measures) Bill 2012
14 Dec 2012	Customs Amendment (Anti-dumping Improvements) Bill (No. 2) 2011
14 Dec 2012	Customs Amendment (Anti-dumping Improvements) Bill (No. 2) 2012
13 Dec 2012	Clean Energy (Charges—Customs) Amendment Bill 2012

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Committees

Parliamentary Committees

Both the Senate and the House of Representatives have extensive committee systems, and also work together on a number of joint committees. To find out more about the work of committees:

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Hansard

Hansard

Browse Hansard of Current Parliament

Latest Hansard Documents

Sitting date	Transcript
19 Dec 2012	Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights - Migration Legislation Amendment (Regional Processing and Other Measures) Act 2012 and related bills and instruments
17 Dec 2012	Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights - Migration Legislation Amendment (Regional Processing and Other Measures) Act 2012 and related bills and instruments
11 Dec 2012	Community Affairs References Committee - Australia's response to the World Health Organization's Commission on Social Determinants of Health report
11 Dec 2012	Community Affairs References Committee - Sterilisation of people with disabilities
07 Dec 2012	Education, Employment and Workplace Relations Legislation Committee - Fair Work Amendment (Small BusinessâPenalty Rates Exemption) Bill 2012
07 Dec 2012	Parliamentary Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade - Care of Australian Defence Force personnel wounded and injured on operations

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Parliamentary Library


	The Parliamentary Library is part of the Department of Parliamentary Services and provides services to senators, members, their staff and the staff of committees. The first library services were delivered to federal parliament in 1901 and continue to provide significant support to parliament and the democratic process. Follow the Parliamentary Library on Twitter

Research and Publications

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The House of Representatives , known as the people's house, is where government is formed. It has 150 members, and the party or parties able to gain the support of the majority of the House form government. The House's other roles are to debate proposed laws, watch over government expenditure, including through its committee system, and to provide a forum for public debate on issues of national importance.

The Senate is a partner with the House in the legislative process, but is also a check on the government of the day. It consists of 76 senators - 12 from each state and 2 from each territory. The Senate conducts much of its work through an established committee system, including the budget estimates accountability process.

Experience Parliament

Parliament House is open to visitors every day of the year except for Christmas Day. The building is open from 9:00am to 5:00pm during non-sitting weeks and later during sitting weeks. Please refer to the calendar or contact Visitor Services on 02 6277 5399 for more information.