As the government they can then put their ideas into action. The party with the second largest number of members usually forms the official 'opposition'. Parties with only a few seats in parliament are referred to as 'minor parties'. Individual citizens who are not members of a party may also be elected to parliament and they become known as 'independents'. Independents and minor parties can have considerable influence on what a government can do but it is the party or coalition of parties with the majority of seats which forms government.
Parties vary in their size and ways of organising as well as in their policies.
Some parties operate both nationally and in each of the States. Others operate only at a State level. Also, as society and issues change, so do the parties. Some parties have a very short life span while others seem able to maintain themselves as long-term players on the political stage. Currently there are 70 political parties registered with the Australian Electoral Commission.