of government, notably in thefields of welfare, higher education, and labour
relations. This, together with the growing cross-bench, gives rise to questions
about the continuing adequacy of the parliamentary dispute resolution pro-
cedures under the constitution. (At present, it would seem likely that only by
proceeding to a joint sitting of the two Houses could disputes be settled.)
What can be said of all three jurisdictions covered by this chapter is that the
continuing concentration on second chambers is excessive. Such concentra-
tion is mostly motivated by a desire to strengthen the position of executive
government in an unproven if not mistaken belief that decisiveness is more
important than wisdom. More attention to the role and vitality of the primary
chambers in legislatures has much to commend it.
References
Bagehot, W. 1867.The English Constitution. London: Chapman Hall.
DPMC (Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet). 2015.Cabinet Handbook, 8th
edition. Canberra: Commonwealth of Australia.
Harris, I. (ed.). 2005.House of Representatives Practice, 5th edition. Canberra: Department
of the House of Representatives.
Nethercote, J. R. 2015.‘MPs choosing a Speaker: Alfred Deakin’sflawed legacy’,The Age
August 5 2015, p. 29.
Reid, G. S. 1987.‘Chronology of the federal parliament, 1901– 1986 ’, National Library
of Australia, MS 8371.
J. R. Nethercote