The Executive & The Opposition Party
Roles & Powers of the Opposition & the Shadow Ministry
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Definitions:
Opposition Party:
The party that attains the second most seats in the House of Representative, and become an alternative government to the current government. The current opposition is the Labour Party.
Opposition Leader:
The opposition leader is the person who is the head of the party that attains the second most number of seats in the House of Reps. The current opposition leader is Anthony Albanese.
Shadow Ministry:
Shadow ministers are members of the opposition, chosen by the Opposition Leader.
Shadow ministers have the important responsibility of scrutinising - closely examining - the work of the government and individual ministers.
A collection of these ministers hence forms the 'shadow ministry'.
Roles:
Opposition Party:
Main role is to question the current government and hold them accountable through any and all means present (such as Question Time or through media).
Opposition Leader:
The leader takes the lead in asking opposition questions during Question Time, and during proceedings such as censure motions which are used to criticise the actions of the government or a Minister and hold them accountable.
When the House of Reps is addressed by the PM, the Opposition Leader receives equal time to address the House of Reps too, showing the equivocal role in comparison to the PM.
Shadow Ministry:
The role of a Shadow Minister, within a Shadow Ministry, is to follow closely and attentively the areas, responsibilities and activities of Government Ministers.
Another role is to respond to Government policy initiatives and offer alternative policies to the electorate.
Powers:
The Opposition and its Leader doesn't have specific powers per se which are at their disposal.