Duties and rights of Parliament

he House of Representatives has two main duties: making laws and scrutinising the work of the Government. The duties of the Senate are scrutinising the Government and considering bills approved by the House of Representatives. The Government is obliged to provide both chambers with the necessary information, so as to enable Parliament to scrutinise the work of the Government properly. This obligation is laid down in the Constitution.

The Constitution also attributes a set of specific rights to the States General, so as to enable them to execute their tasks properly:

• the right to approve or reject the Government’s budget;
• the right of inquiry.

Members of both chambers have:

• the right to question the Cabinet, for instance during Question Time;
• the right to propose motions.

Moreover, the House of Representatives has certain exclusive rights for the execution of its tasks:

• the right to amend bills;
• the right of initiative, i.e. the right to propose bills.