Legislative Branch

Volaworand

Overview of Volaworand

History

History of Volaworand
See also:
- Volaworand Newswire

Geography

Geography of Volaworand
See also:
- Principal fossil localities
- Queen Elizabeth Land

Government and Politics

Head of State
Legislative Branch
Executive Branch
Judicial Branch
See also:
- How a bill becomes a law
- Volaworand Defence Forces
- Foreign Relations

Economy

Economy of Volaworand
See also:
- Volaworand Space Agency
- Southern Transportation Corporation
- VIM Programme
- Attractions and Tourist Activities
- Royal National Zoological Park
- Kentucky Fried Penguin Locations

Government System

Head of State
Legislative Branch
Executive Branch
Judicial Branch
How a bill becomes a law

Volaworand has a bicameral parliamentary system. That means that there are two separate Chambers, each housing its own separate group of parliamentarians: the Senate and the House of Commons. The Senate and the House of Commons are also called the Upper Chamber and the Lower Chamber. The lower chamber has "the power of the purse" meaning legislation involving the fiscal matters must originate in the House of Commons.

The Executive power rests with the party in control of the House of Commons. Minority and coalition governments are possible under this system.

The House of Commons
The House of Commons is the primary elected lawmaking body of Parliament. When Members of Parliament (MP's) meet together in the House of Commons Chamber in Rothera, we say that the House is in session or is sitting. The work of an MP in the lower chamber includes reviewing and debating new bills. It also includes taking part in question period, making statements about important events and issues from the riding, raising issues and presenting recommendations and reports.

Usually, Cabinet Ministers and Parliamentary Secretaries introduce bills, but individual MPs can also introduce new bills (called Private Member’s bills), as long as the bills do not involve taxes. The House is also where the budget estimates for each ministry or area of government services are debated and passed.

There are currently 81 seats in the House of Common's, largely distributed according to population with some reserved for minorities. Seats are added to reflect population growth every 2 years. MP's are elected for the four year terms, with half up for reelection every 2 years. Since part of the legislative Branch are up for election every two years, these two year periods are referred to as "The First/Second/Third... Parliament of Volaworand"

The Prime Minister is the party leader who commands the largest number of votes in the House of Commons. Minority and Coalition governments can be formed.

The Senate
Senators are appointed by the Governor General on the Prime Minister’s recommendation. The Senate reviews bills originating in the lower chamber and is a place of "somber second thought". The number of seats in the Senate is currently 48, with 6 appointed and 6 elected from each of the 4 provinces.

Appointed Senator's serve for life and must be at least 30 years old and must retire by his or her 75th birthday. Elected Senators serve 6 year terms, with one third up for election every 2 years.

Term limits
Elected Senators and MP's can serve two consecutive terms in the same office. As a result, politicians often move back and forth between the House of Commons and the Senate, or up and down between federal and provincial politics.

Political Party Standings in Parliament