The Speaker.  The Speaker sits in a chair at the top of the Chamber. The Speaker’s role is to maintain order and ensure parliamentary procedures and practices are followed.  The Speaker must remain impartial and treat members equally.  Question time can be very disorderly and is a demanding time for the Speaker.

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The Table.  The Clerks  sit at the table in front of the Speaker.  They advise the Speaker on parliamentary procedures and practices which assist the Speaker when giving rulings on points of order or interjections

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All the Victorian laws  are in volumes on the Table for reference purposes

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The Mace, a symbol of the Speaker’s authority, rests on brackets at the end of the Table. It remains there each sitting day

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Members.  Government members sit to the right of the Speaker as well as on some of the cross benches on the left facing the Speaker.  The Opposition, The Nationals and Independent members share the benches to the left of the Speaker

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Ministers and Shadow Ministers.   Ministers sit on the front row of the government benches. They move to the Table to answer questions. Opposition shadow ministers sit on the front row of the benches to the left of the Speaker. They move to the Table to ask questions

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The Leaders and Deputy Leaders of the Parties. During Question Time the Leaders and Deputy Leaders of the Parties sit around the Table

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Hansard.  Hansard reporters sit in the far right hand corner of the Chamber. They record debates in the House using a shorthand machine or audio digital recording.  They have easy access to the Chamber as they alternate every seven to ten minutes

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Press Gallery.  The press gallery is above the Speaker’s chair.  Representatives from newspapers, radio and television attend. Question time is filmed.

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Other Galleries.  Directly below the upstairs public gallery is a gallery reserved for guests of the Speaker and members of the Legislative Council.