AUSTRALIA | Sunday, 13 March 2011 | Views [1518]
On the Parliament House tour, in the Senate chamber, Eric the outstanding tour guide doing his thing. He was really polished with a great mixture of information, jokes and timing. I was sure to compliment him afterwards. The seats in the gallery purposely fade as they get higher, to symbolize bleaching by the sun. The Senate is similar to the Canadian upper house except it is elected, to staggered 4 year terms, and based on equal representation for all the states. It can initiate legislation in any area except the annual budget, which comes from the House but must be approved by the Senate.
