What are the two houses of the Australian Parliament?
The Australian Parliament has two houses: the House of Representatives, known as the lower house, and the Senate, known as the upper house. Laws must be passed by both houses before they can take effect.
The House of Representatives has around 150 members, each representing a single electorate of roughly equal population. The party or coalition with a majority in this house forms government.
The Senate has 76 senators: 12 from each of the six states and two each from the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory. This gives each state equal representation regardless of population.
How they work together
Most laws begin in the House of Representatives, debated and voted on before going to the Senate. The Senate can pass, reject or amend bills, acting as a house of review.
The government often does not have a majority in the Senate and must negotiate with minor parties and independents to pass laws.
The House of Representatives chamber is decorated in green, and the Senate chamber in red, following the colors of the British House of Commons and House of Lords. Both chambers are in Parliament House in Canberra.