Parliament of Victoria

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The Parliament of Victoria is a bicameral, or two-house, legislature. It comprises the Queen of Australia, Legislative Assembly or Lower House and the Legislative Council or Upper House. The head of the State Government is the Premier of Victoria.

1 History
2 Powers
3 See also
4 References
5 External links

[edit] History

The creation of the Parliament in 1856 represents the beginning of responsible government in Victoria. It has sat at Parliament House, Melbourne since this time, with the exception of the period 1901-1927, when Parliament House was in use by the Federal Parliament. During this time the Parliament of Victoria sat at the Royal Exhibition Building.

[edit] Powers

The Parliament has the power to make any laws for the State of Victoria, Australia. This is subject only to limitations placed on it by the Australian Constitution which specifies which matters fall under the jurisdiction of the Commonwealth (Federal) Government.

The party or coalition with the most seats in the Legislative Assembly is invited by the Governor of Victoria to form government. The Governor of Victoria is the representative of the Monarch (Queen Elizabeth II), as Head of State, in Victoria. Among the Governor's vice-regal duties are the opening of Parliament and the signing of Acts which are passed by the Victorian Parliament.