Queensland's parliamentary system is based on a representative link .

This means that voters elect members to represent them. In our system of government, all power lies with the British Monarch (the Queen), whose state representative is called the link .

The Governor is elected for a link year term of office.

The Monarch and her representative serve only as a figurehead, yet no new law can become official until it receives the Royal link to Bills from the Governor.

This is the signature of the Monarch or her representative. Currently, the Queensland Governor is link .

In Queensland, Parliament consists of one House called the Legislative link .

In 1922 the Upper House, or Legislative Council, was abolished, leaving Queensland with only one House. All other states have two Houses of Parliament – a Legislative Assembly (Lower House) and a Legislative Council (Upper House).

The Legislative Assembly makes link which serve as guidelines by which to carry out our daily lives. 

The State is divided into electorates. These differ in area but are similar in population. From these electorates, one member is elected to the Legislative Assembly.

Electorates are often referred to as link .

Queensland currently has a total of link seats.

Usually, candidates standing for election belong to a political party. The political party with the most votes forms the Government. Occasionally parties unite to form a coalition. Those who do not form government are known as the Opposition. Their function is to keep the government 'on its toes'.

In Queensland's last state election, the link Party received the most votes, and therefore has formed the current government.

Some political parties forming the Opposition are: link .

Independents don't belong to any political party. 

I live in the electorate of link and I'm represented in

State Government by (put in your member's name) link .

If I wanted to discuss a matter of importance with my state member, he/she has an office locally at link .

The leader of the State Government is called the link .

Our current state leader is link .

His parliamentarians are called his cabinet. Each member of cabinet is given a special job to do. He/she is then called the Minister for ......... These special duties are known are portfolios. 

Complete this activity to learn all about the services provided by the State Government.

Cabinet can meet anywhere in the state. The next Community Cabinet Meeting will be held at link 

.

The leader of the political party in opposition is called the Leader of the Opposition.

His cabinet is called the Shadow Cabinet.

The current Leader of the Opposition is link .

Government members sit to the right of the Speaker, where the front bench is reserved for the Premier and senior Ministers. Facing them are Members of the Opposition, with the Leader and senior Members in opposition on the front bench. Find where your member sits in the Legislative Assembly Chamber. 

If you visit Parliament House, you will find many state emblems.

Queen link granted our Coat of Arms in 1893.

If you visit Parliament House, you will find a huge stained glass window depicting her.

Queensland's industries are represented in the symbols of a bull, ram, sheaf of wheat, gold and sugar cane.

Our state motto is Bold is Beautiful (Audax at Fidelis).

Our animal emblem is the link , our bird emblem is the link and our floral emblem is the link .

There are people who hold specific duties in Parliament. Some of these are:

• The President of the Legislative Council (states besides Queensland) and the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, who control debates, act as spokespersons and chair sessions of parliament.

• The current speaker of the Queensland Parliament is link . The Speaker does not take part in debates, and is expected to be impartial. 

• Whips are elected by the Government parties and the Opposition parties to co-operate in arranging the time for debates and making sure that speakers are available.

• The Sergeant-at-Arms is the bearer of the mace and is responsible for order in the public gallery. The mace is always present in the chamber when the house is sitting. 

• Hansard Reporters record parliamentary debates. They are very fast typists.