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Australian Parliament

 

            Members of the Legislative Assembly are elected using the optional preferential voting system.
            
             The role of a Member of the Legislative Assembly is a multi-functional one. Members have a responsibility to three primary groups in their role as:.
            
             • The elected representative of an electorate,.
            
             • A Member of Parliament; and.
            
             • As a member of a particular political party (the exception being for Independents, meaning Members who are non party aligned). E.g. Lex Bell, Member for Surfers Paradise.
             Representing an Electorate:.
             As a representative of all the constituents in their electorate, the demands on the MLA and his/her electorate office staff can be quite profuse and diverse. This role involves:.
            
             • giving assistance and advice to those in difficulty;.
            
             • acting as a lobbyist for local interest groups;.
            
             • being a communicator for his/her party's policies; and.
            
             • playing an active community role.
             Member of Parliament:.
             Their parliamentary functions include:.
            
             • enacting and debating legislation;.
            
             • scrutinising the actions of the Government and Government Departments as members of parliamentary committees;.
            
             • participating in general debates in the House;.
            
             • attending parliamentary party meetings;.
            
             • availing themselves to their constituents who may visit Parliament House;.
            
             • providing interviews for media; and.
            
             • performing other duties within the parliamentary complex such as guest speaker roles.
             Member of a political party:.
             As a member of a political party, the MLA attends parliamentary party meetings during the sitting of the House. These meetings involve:.
            
             • planning strategies;.
            
             • developing policies;.
            
             • scrutinising proposed legislation; and.
            
             • discussing parliamentary business.
             In their electorates, their party responsibilities include:.


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