An important feature of the Australian parliamentary system is the prevalence of disputes and conflicts between the House of Representatives and the Senate. The most dramatic of these occurred in 1975 and resulted in the dismissal of the Whitlam Labor Government by the Governor-General.

Disagreements often occur over particular pieces of legislation, such as occurred in July 1998 with the Senate’s rejection of the Howard Government’s legislation to privatise Telstra.

• Double Dissolutions in Australia
• The 40th Anniversary of the 1974 Joint Sitting – detailed
• The 30th Anniversary of the 1974 Joint Sitting of Parliament

Archived Posts

• Aug 31, 2016: Coalition-Labor Deal On Rotation Of Members Confirmed By Senate
• Aug 12, 2016: Government And ALP Agree On Senate Terms; First Elected To Get 6 Years
• May 09, 2016: Australian Parliament Dissolved; Governor-General’s Official Secretary Reads Proclamation
• May 08, 2016: Government House Releases Double Dissolution Documents
• May 08, 2016: Malcolm Turnbull Formally Announces July 2 Double Dissolution Election
• May 07, 2016: After July 2, When Will The Next Election Be Held?
• Mar 21, 2016: Turnbull Recalls Parliament On April 18 And Moves Budget To May 3; Threatens Double Dissolution On July 2 If Bills Not Passed
• Mar 01, 2016: Conroy Says Senate Voting Reform Would Give Coalition A Blocking Majority
• Aug 06, 2014: 40th Anniversary Of The 1974 Joint Sitting Of Parliament
• Jun 18, 2014: Double Dissolution Trigger Created As Senate Rejects Bill For Second Time
• May 25, 2013: Would A Double Dissolution In Early 2014 Be Unconstitutional?
• Jul 27, 2004: The 1974 Joint Sitting Of Parliament
• Jun 19, 2002: Dirty Simon Crean Calls On John Howard To Make My Day
• Feb 19, 2002: Double Dissolutions, Joint Sittings And Reserve Powers
• May 27, 1987: Bob Hawke Announces The 1987 Double Dissolution Election
• Feb 03, 1983: Malcolm Fraser: Double Dissolution Election Statement
• Dec 01, 1975: “Australian Labor Prison” – Liberal Party 1975 Election Leaflet
• Apr 11, 1974: Sir Paul Hasluck’s 1974 Proclamation Dissolving Parliament
• Mar 19, 1951: 1951 Double Dissolution Correspondence: Menzies And McKell
• Mar 09, 1951: High Court Strikes Down Communist Party Dissolution Bill