The House of Representatives The House of Representatives has 148 Members - each representing a separate electoral division. Members are elected for terms of up to 3 years. The most distinctive feature of the House is that the party or group with majority support in the House forms the Government. The House is thus the House of Government. The accountability of the Government is illustrated every sitting day, especially during Question Time.
Members have many other functions.
They are involved in law making, committee work and in representing their electors. The Prime Minister is appointed by the Governor-General, who by convention under the Constitution, must appoint the parliamentary leader of the party, or coalition of parties, which has a majority of seats in the House of Representatives. This majority party becomes the government and provides the ministers, all of whom must be members of Parliament. The Executive Council, referred to in the Constitution, comprises all ministers, with the Governor-General presiding. Its principal functions are to receive ministerial advice and approve the signing of formal documents such proclamations, regulations, ordinances and statutory appointments.