Dave sits in the Senate, one of two houses in the Parliament of Australia, the other being the House of Representatives. The Senate contains seventy-six senators with twelve elected from each state of Australia, whilst the Northern and Australian Capital Territories each elect two senators to serve on their behalf.
The primary role of the Senate is to act as a check on the government. It achieves this through scrutinising bills, delegated legislation, government administration and policy in general. The Senate can amend bills and initiate its own legislation. However, there are limitations on what can be put forward in the Senate, with the Bill needing to return to the House of Representatives to pass before it can become law, even if the majority of the Senate votes in favour of it.
Senators are elected for six-year terms, with half of the Senate up for election at each federal election. The Senate establishes committees to oversee certain legislation, known as Legislation Committees, and to enquire into other matters as directed, known as References Committees.
