The Western Australian System of Government
Updated 13 March 2008

Western Australia is divided into six electoral regions. Each region returns six members to the Legislative Council (Upper House) Each region is divided into several districts, each of which returns one member to the Legislative Assembly (Lower House).

Each Western Australian voter therefore has one Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) for the district in which they live, and all the Members of the Legislative Council (MLC) for the region in which they live.

WA Parliament

The Parliament is established by the Constitution of Western Australia. It is bicameral; that is, it comprises two Houses: the Legislative Assembly (commonly known as the lower House) and the Legislative Council (commonly known as the upper House). Together with the Governor, who represents the Queen, the two Houses make Acts of Parliament, or legislation.

• WA Parliament Homepage: http://www.parliament.wa.gov.au
• WA Electoral Commission: http://www.waec.wa.gov.au/
• State Law Publisher: http://www.slp.wa.gov.au/index.html
• WA Hansard: http://www.parliament.wa.gov.au

The Legislative Assembly

The Legislative Assembly traditionally is referred to as the Lower House of Parliament. It is the House in which the Government is formed. In other words, the party or coalition of parties with the support of a majority of members in the Legislative Assembly will form the Government. The Legislative Assembly comprises 57 members elected from single member electoral districts by a system of preferential voting. Each Legislative Assembly may exist and continue for a maximum period of 4 years.

The Legislative Council

The Legislative Council traditionally is referred to as the Upper House of Parliament. One of its functions today is that of a House of Review; in other words, it performs an important role in reviewing and scrutinising legislation and the activities of the Executive Government. The Legislative Council comprises 34 members elected from 6 multi-member regions by a system of proportional representation. Members serve a fixed term of 4 years commencing on 22 May immediately following each general election.

Departments to Watch

• Department of Industry and Resources: http://www.doir.wa.gov.au/
• Department of Environment and Conservation: http://portal.environment.wa.gov.au/
• Environmental Protection Authority: http://www.epa.wa.gov.au/