6.1.4 In bicameral systems, only a popularly elected house shall have the power to bring down government.
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6.1.5 A chamber where a majority of members are not directly or indirectly elected n/a may not indefinitely deny or reject a money bill. 6.2.1 In a bicameral legislature there shall be clearly defined roles for each chamber n/a in the passage of legislation.
6.2.2 The legislature shall have the right to override an executive veto. 6.3.1. Opportunities shall be given for public input into the legislative process.
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6.3.2 Information shall be provided to the public in a timely manner regarding matters under consideration by the legislature.
7.1.1 The legislature shall have mechanisms to obtain information from the executive branch sufficient to exercise its oversight function in a meaningful way.
7.1.2 The oversight authority of the legislature shall include meaningful oversight of the n/a military security and intelligence services.
7.1.3 The oversight authority of the legislature shall include meaningful oversight of state-owned enterprises.
7.2.1 The legislature shall have a reasonable period of time in which to review the proposed national budget.
However, claims of commercial-in- confidence status have been viewed as an impediment to oversight through out the years.
7.2.2 Oversight committees shall provide meaningful opportunities for X minority or opposition parties to engage in effective oversight of government expenditures.Typically, the public accounts committee will be chaired by a member of the opposition party.
The ACT Legislative Assembly has a proud record with respect to this benchmark.While in other jurisdictions governments have used their numbers to install a government chair to this position, the Assembly has consistently had an opposition chair in the role. However, recently the opposition chair of the Public Accounts committee was deposed by a vote of its membership and a member of the Crossbench assumed the Chair as a result. I would argue that the fact that the Chair remains a non-government member means that the spirit of this benchmark is being met by the Assembly.
7.2.3 Oversight committees shall have access to records of executive branch accounts and related documentation sufficient to be able to meaningfully review the accuracy of executive branch reporting on its revenues and expenditures. 7.2.4 There shall be an independent, non-partisan Supreme or National Audit Office whose reports are tabled in the legislature in a timely manner.
7.2.5 The supreme or national audit office shall be provided with adequate resources and legal authority to conduct audits in a timely manner.
7.3.1 The legislature shall have mechanisms to impeach or censure officials of the
executive branch, or express no-confidence in the government. 7.3.2 If the legislature expresses no confidence in the government the government is obliged to offer its resignation. If the head of state agrees that no other alternative government can be formed, a general election should be held.
8.1.1 The legislature shall provide all legislators with adequate and appropriate resources to enable the legislators to fulfil their constituency responsibilities.
8.2.1 The legislature shall have the right to receive development assistance to strengthen n/a the institution of Parliament.