Votes
Parliament must vote on a bill at least three times before it becomes law.
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New votes are currently not being added to WhereTheyStand because the underlying data source has changed. Work is underway to fix this.
A bill must have three "readings" in the House of Representatives before enactment. These are called the first reading, second reading, and third reading. Each reading is voted on and succeeds if more members of Parliament vote in favour than against.
There are four types of vote:
- Voice votes are the simplest type of vote. Members of Parliament shout "aye" or "no" and the Speaker makes an assessment based on how loud each side is. Any member can then call for a more formal vote.
- Party votes are the most common type of recorded vote. Each party has a number of seats in the House and casts that number of votes (minus any absences) according to its party policy.
- Personal votes are also called conscience votes. Each member of Parliament decides how to vote on the bill, independent of any party policy.
- Split party votes are similar to a party vote, except one or more parties may treat the vote as a personal vote while other parties may treat it as a party vote. If a party splits its party vote across more than one position (yes, no or abstain) it must give notice of which members' votes are being allocated to each position.
Other votes may take place during the Committee of the Whole House stage. These votes are on individual amendments to a bill. WhereTheyStand does not currently record these votes.
If a bill passes all three readings it is given Royal Assent by the Governor-General. It then becomes law, although most bills specify in more detail when its provisions come into effect.
All votes
894 results.
Education and Training (Grants—Budget Measures) Amendment Bill
1 July 2021 · 2nd reading · Party vote
77Aye
43No
0Abstain
0Absent
Family Court (Supporting Children in Court) Legislation Bill
1 July 2021 · 2nd reading · Party vote
77Aye
40No
0Abstain
3Absent
Synthetic Urine (Prohibition on Importation, Supply and Acquisition to Pass a Workplace Drug Test) Bill
30 June 2021 · 1st reading · Party vote
33Aye
87No
0Abstain
0Absent
Holidays (Parent-Teacher Interview Leave) Amendment Bill
30 June 2021 · 1st reading · Party vote
77Aye
43No
0Abstain
0Absent
Gas (Information Disclosure and Penalties) Amendment Bill
10 June 2021 · 2nd reading · Party vote
108Aye
10No
0Abstain
2Absent