the House of Representatives). This means that a government formed in the House of Representatives can be frustrated if a Senate majority rejects or delays passage of its legislative bills. In such circumstances, Section 57 of the constitution empowers the Governor-General to dissolve both the House of Representatives and the Senate (termed a "double dissolution") and issue writs for an election in which every seat in Parliament is contested. The Governor-General would usually take such action only on the advice of the Prime Minister. See also Elections in Australia Electoral systems of the Australian states and territories References Further reading External links The Parliament of Australia The Australian Electoral Commission Adam Carr's Australian Election Archive Proportional Representation Society of Australia Electoral system, Australian Electoral systems by country