What is a crossbencher in Australian politics?
A crossbencher is an independent or minor party member of some legislatures, such as the British House of Lords and the Parliament of Australia. They take their name from the crossbenches, between and perpendicular to the government and opposition benches, where crossbenchers sit in the chamber.
What is a non affiliated peer?
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Non-affiliated members of the House of Lords are peers who do not belong to any parliamentary group. That is, they do not take a political party’s whip, nor affiliate to the crossbench group, nor are Lords Spiritual (bishops).
What does sitting on the cross bench mean?
The term comes from the House of Lords in the British Parliament where a number of benches are positioned between the government and opposition benches. If you are elected to the Australian Parliament and are not a member of the government or opposition, you sit on the crossbench.
What is the composition of the House of Lords?
The reformed House of Lords should have 300 members of whom 240 are “Elected Members” and 60 appointed “Independent Members”. Up to 12 Church of England archbishops and bishops may sit in the house as ex officio “Lords Spiritual”. Elected Members will serve a single, non-renewable term of 15 years.
What’s the difference between House of Representatives and Senate?
Senators represent their entire states, but members of the House represent individual districts. The number of districts in each state is determined by a state’s population. Each state has a minimum of one representative in Congress. The terms of office and number of members directly affects each institution.
Which Parliament passed the Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act in 1900?
the British Parliament
After negotiating some changes, the British Parliament passed the Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Bill in July 1900. Queen Victoria approved the bill on 9 July 1900 by signing the Royal Commission of Assent and the bill became the Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act 1900.
What is a lifetime peerage?
A life peer is an honour given to individuals which cannot be inherited by the recipient’s children (in contrast to a hereditary peer). In the UK, life peerages are created under the Life Peerages Act 1958 and entitle holders to sit in the House of Lords under the style and dignity of Baron (male) or Baroness (female).
What is the Salisbury Addison convention?
The Salisbury-Addison Convention was an agreement between the Labour Leader of the House of Lords in 1945, Viscount Addison, and the Conservative Leader in the Lords, Viscount Cranborne (the Marquess of Salisbury) to deal with the relationship between a Labour Government and a House of Lords with an overwhelmingly …
Is a Lord higher than a duke?
The highest grade is duke/duchess, followed by marquess/marchioness, earl/countess, viscount/viscountess and baron/baroness. Dukes and duchesses are addressed with their actual title, but all other ranks of the peerage have the appellation Lord or Lady. Non hereditary life peers are also addressed as Lord or Lady.