The Opposition

Origins

In the United Kingdom, the largest party not in government is the Official Opposition. It is known as Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition.

The Westminster concept of loyal opposition is the notion that one can be opposed to the actions of the government of the day without being opposed to the Crown, the State or the political system. It is mechanism that enables civilised dissent and disagreement in the political system. The concept of loyal opposition respects both the right of the majority to make decisions and to govern, and the right of the minority to disagree with those decisions and express alternative policies.

Many argue that the reciprocal rights of loyal opposition are the cornerstone of democracy and civil society. No matter who wins an election, both sides (and the general public) agree to accept the verdict of the voters. While the losers may not agree with the policies of the winners, they accept the winner’s right to govern. Rather than revolt, the losers agree to accept the legitimacy of the government of the day and they remain loyal to the democratic process. The losers, now in opposition, make a commitment to work within the system. They can do this knowing they may criticise openly those policies with which they disagree, without fearing for their lives or liberty.

The recognition of loyal opposition in the Westminster parliamentary system had its origins in the growing importance of the Whig (small-L liberal) and Tory (conservative) parties in the latter half of the 18th century, and the development of Cabinet government in the United Kingdom in the first half of the 19th century. The term “Her Majesty’s Opposition” was first used in 1826.

Opposition in Australia

The Westminster concept of loyal opposition has been incorporated into the Australian political system. Federally, the largest non-government party (or coalition of parties) in the House of Representatives is known as The Opposition. While this page focuses on the Federal Opposition, each of the states and territories also has an official opposition as part of its parliamentary arrangements.

The leader of largest non-government party in the House of Representatives is the Leader of the Opposition. The Leader of the Opposition is the alternative prime minister. He or she is always ready to form a government should the Governor-General ask it.

Today, the Leader of the Opposition is an important position in our parliamentary system. He or she is placed tenth in the Commonwealth Table of Precedence and is paid a higher salary than the majority of Ministers. By convention, just as the Prime Minister must sit in the House of Representatives, so must the Leader of the Opposition. The leader of the largest non-government party in the Senate is known as the Leader of the Opposition in the Senate.

The primary objective of the Opposition is to replace the government of the day. During a parliamentary term, the Opposition seeks to get the government to resign. In parliament, it seeks to persuade members of the governing party to accept its point of view. At general elections, it seeks to persuade the public it has the better policies and programs in order to defeat the government at the polls.

The parliament recognises the import role of the Opposition. It devotes a significant proportion of its time to the Opposition, allowing the Opposition to hold the government accountable and express alternative policies and programs.

The shadow ministry

The shadow ministry is drawn from the ranks of the Opposition. It is the alternative executive government. The most senior shadow ministers form the shadow cabinet. The most junior members of the shadow ministry are designated as shadow parliamentary secretaries.

Each member of the shadow ministry is typically responsible for a portfolio of policy areas and programs that he or she shadows in parliament. Each shadow minister is the Opposition’s official spokesperson on his or her portfolio responsibilities.

Unlike ministers, shadow ministers do not receive additional wages. They are paid the same as other members of parliament.

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