Located across the street from our apartment was Western Australia’s Parliament. During the mid-to-late 19th century, as the Australian colonies’ population grew, folks began to demand increased responsibility for running their own government ...and Britain was ready to give it them. While most of the Australian colonies obtained self-government between 1855 and 1860, Western Australia (WA) did not. Sure, what was to become known as the “Upper House” was created in 1832, at that time it was an “appointed body” and the Governor was an “...agent of the Colonial Office in London.” By 1880, the Legislative Assembly ( the “Lower House”) was established. Ten years later, WA achieved self-government and by 1901 a constitution was adopted for all the Australian states, establishing legislative powers for the individual states and the country as a whole (similar to our federal and state legislatures). Today, the bicameral legislature of WA comprises 36 members of the Upper House (known as the Legislative Council) and 57 members of the Lower House (known as the Legislative Assembly), all elected by popular vote to four year terms. While the Premier is the head of the state government, the Governor is “The Head of State” representing the Queen. Either House can initiate bills to become law, only the Legislative Assembly can initiate “money bills.”
This was the original main entrance to Western Australia’s Parliament building. Visitors now enter the building on the opposite side. Known as the Upper House (36 members), the Legislative Council chambers are designated by its red carpet and chairs... ...while the Lower house (57 members), seen here from the public gallery, has a blue carpet and chairs. Archival photo of the first bicameral legislature. Edith Cowan was the first woman to be elected to Wetern Australia’s parliament in 1921. Shortly after this picture was taken, Lori and I became celebrities with our tour group, when they learned of the longevity of our marriage (50 years). Everyone in the group wanted their picture taken with us. That was interesting! Lee Mun Keen (from Malaysia) on the right with our tour guide,Tina. Standing in front of the Visitor’s entrance with Lee to my immediate right, Alessia (from Italy) next to her, and one of Lee’s daughters. In this photo, our tour guide, Tina is taking our picture, while Alissa (from Italy) waits on the right, and the Cong Dang Do family (mother and daughter from Vietnam) are on the left.
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Carl and Lorraine Aveni are two retirees planning on traveling through Europe for at least one year.
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