Chapter I of the Constitution of Australia

Last updated December 14, 2025

Chapter I of the Constitution of Australia establishes the Parliament of Australia and its role as the legislative branch of the Government of Australia.^[1] The chapter consists of 60 sections which are organised into 5 parts.

Part I: General

Part I contains 6 sections:

Part II: The Senate

Part II contains 17 sections:

Section 7: The Senate
Section 8: Qualification of electors
Section 9: Method of election of senators in the senate
Section 10: Application of State laws
Section 11: Failure to choose senators
Section 12: Issue of writs
Section 13: Rotation of senators
Section 14: Further provision for rotation
Section 15: Casual vacancies
Section 16: Qualifications of senator
Section 17: Election of President
Section 18: Absence of President
Section 19: Resignation of senator
Section 20: Vacancy by absence
Section 21: Vacancy to be notified
Section 22: Quorum
Section 23: Voting in the Senate

Part III: The House of Representatives

Part III contains 17 sections:

Section 24: Constitution of House of Representatives in Australia
Section 25: Provision as to races disqualified from voting
Section 26: Representatives in first Parliament
Section 27: Alteration of number of members
Section 28: Duration of House of Representatives
Section 29: Electoral divisions
Section 30: Qualification of electors
Section 31: Application of State laws
Section 32: Writs for general election
Section 33: Writs for vacancies
Section 34: Qualifications of members
Section 35: Election of Speaker
Section 36: Absence of Speaker
Section 37: Resignation of member
Section 38: Vacancy by absence
Section 39: Quorum
Section 40: Voting in House of Representatives

Part IV: Both Houses of the Parliament

Part IV consists of 10 sections:

Section 41: Right of electors of States
Section 42: Oath or affirmation of allegiance
Section 43: Member of one House ineligible for other
Section 44: Disqualification
Section 45: Vacancy on happening of disqualification
Section 46: Penalty for sitting when disqualified
Section 47: Disputed elections
Section 48: Allowance to members
Section 49: Privileges etc. of Houses
Section 50: Rules and orders

Part V: Powers of the Parliament in Australia

Part V consists of 10 sections:

Section 51: Legislative powers of the Parliament
Section 52: Exclusive powers of the Parliament
Section 53: Powers of the Houses in respect of legislation
Section 54: Appropriation Bills
Section 55: Tax Bill
Section 56: Recommendation of money votes
Section 57: Disagreement between the Houses
Section 58: Royal assent to Bills
Section 59: Disallowance by the Queen
Section 60: Signification of Queen's pleasure on Bills reserved

References

↑ "Chapter I - The Parliament". Constitution of Australia . Retrieved 27 August 2012.

External links

Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act: Chapter I - The Parliament

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[Parliament-1] "Chapter I - The Parliament". Constitution of Australia . Retrieved 27 August 2012.

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