When the members of parliament come together to discuss a issue what generally happens? Is it like a debate?

A woman in a grey jacket is standing at a desk in a red room. She is speaking. Other women sit on benches around her, listening to her speak.

A senator speaking in the Senate.

DPS Auspic

A senator speaking in the Senate.

A woman in a grey jacket is standing at a desk in a red room. She is speaking. Other women sit on benches around her, listening to her speak.

DPS Auspic

Description

A senator speaking in the Senate.

Permission should be sought from DPS AUSPIC for third-party or commercial uses of this image. To contact DPS AUSPIC email: auspic@aph.gov.au or phone: 02 6277 3342.

Hi Abbie, thanks for your question. Yes, the discussions senators in the Senate and members of the House of Representatives are called debates. Many parliamentary debates are about ideas for laws – bills. Debates in the Senate and House of Representatives are necessary stages of passing a bill. 

There are particular times for debates on bills. Each debate has a list of speakers and time limits for each speech. senators and members only get one opportunity to make a speech at each stage of a bill.