what is a double dissolution in australia
A double dissolution in Australia refers to a procedure whereby the Governor-General, on the advice of the Prime Minister, dissolves both houses of the Parliament simultaneously. This is a rare event that is typically used to resolve a deadlock between the two houses over the passage of a certain piece of legislation.
In order for a double dissolution to occur, there must be specific conditions met. Firstly, a Bill must be passed by the House of Representatives but rejected by the Senate, or vice versa. Secondly, both houses must reject or fail to pass the same Bill twice. Finally, the Prime Minister must request a double dissolution from the Governor-General.
When a double dissolution is called, all seats in the House of Representatives and Senate are vacated, and a general election is held. This allows for a fresh mandate from the public to resolve the deadlock and potentially change the composition of the Parliament.
If the same issue still remains unresolved after the double dissolution election, a joint sitting of both houses can be called. In this joint sitting, all members of the House of Representatives and Senate come together to vote on the previously rejected Bill. If the Bill is passed by an absolute majority, it becomes law.
Double dissolutions are considered significant because they are a mechanism to break parliamentary gridlock and pave the way for important legislation to be passed.