Legislative Assembly
Parliament of Victoria

Fact Sheet 4

Parliamentary Terminology

Events in the Parliamentary Calendar

Summary

These terms describe a number of different events that happen in the parliamentary calendar.

Parliamentary calendar

1	Session of Parliament. A session is a period of Parliament that starts on the first sitting day following a general election or prorogation and ends when the Legislative Assembly expires or is prorogued or dissolved.
2	Sitting of Parliament. A sitting refers to the period or periods each year when Parliament ‘sits’ or is meeting. Current practice is for a sitting period to last for the whole year. Previously there were two distinct periods each year - the Autumn and Spring sittings. When the Parliament is not sitting it is ‘in recess’. During sitting weeks the Legislative Assembly normally sits on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, although it can sit on a Friday too. Links to Sitting Dates
3	Proclamations. An official announcement by the Governor; usually concerning the date for an Act to come into operation, the beginning or end of a parliament, or appointments of ministers. All proclamations are published in the Victorian Government Gazette. Links to Office of the Chief Parliamentary Counsel – Acts Commencement Book Victorian Government Gazette
4	Expiration. The Parliament of Victoria has fixed four year terms. That means that every four years the Assembly ‘expires’ and a general election is held. The election is held on the last Saturday in November and the Assembly expires on the Tuesday 25 days before then. The expiration of the Assembly has the following effects: All proceedings come to an end — that is all bills, motions and questions on notice that have not been dealt with lapse. Any sessional orders cease to have effect. All committees cease to exist.
5	Prorogation. The process where the Governor issues a proclamation ending the current session of the Parliament. This also has the effect of terminating all business before the House, ie any outstanding business on the notice paper automatically lapses. If the Assembly is prorogued there is not a general election, a new session of Parliament simply begins.
6	Dissolution. The Legislative Assembly is dissolved through a proclamation issued by the Governor. This results in a general election being held and the end of the Parliament. The Assembly can be dissolved for either of two reasons: If the Assembly passes a motion of no confidence in the Premier and other ministers, or on the advice of the Premier in the case of a deadlocked bill.