House of Assembly of New Cambria/Compendium/Parliamentary Framework

Introduction
New Cambria is a constitutional monarchy and a parliamentary democracy. This system of government is democratic, and the law is its supreme authority. The Government acts in the name of the Crown but derives its authority from the New Cambrian people.

New Cambria's parliamentary system stems from the British, or "Westminster", tradition. The General Assembly consists of three parts: the Crown, the Legislative Council, and the House of Assembly. Laws are enacted once they are agreed to by all three parts. Members of the Legislative Council are appointed and Members of the House of Assembly are elected. They represent the New Cambrian people. Hence, ours is a "representative" system of government.

Since New Cambria is a unitary state, all responsibility for lawmaking rests with the General Assembly.

Constitution
New Cambria's Constitution involves more than a single document. The New Cambria Act 1834 brought the Colony of New Cambria into being, and the New Cambria Act 1871 granted the colony "a constitution similar in principle to that of the United Kingdom". For this reason, some of New Cambria's most important rules are not matters of law but are conventions or practices.

The New Cambria Act 1990 contains the Charter of Rights and Freedoms and the procedure for amending the Constitution.

The Constitution sets forth the system of fundamental laws and principles that outline the nature, functions, and limits of New Cambria's system of government.

Crown and Governor General
Executive authority in New Cambria is formally vested in the Crown, and is exercised in its name. The Governor General, acting on the advice of the Prime Minister and the Cabinet ("the Governor General in Council"), represents the Crown in New Cambria and exercises the powers of government that are reserved for the Crown by the Constitution:
 * bills that propose to spend government revenues must carry a royal proclamation from the Governor General;
 * the Governor General, or his or her delegate, must give Royal Assent in order for a bill to become law;
 * the holders of many important offices are appointed by the Governor General; and
 * in theory, it is the Governor General who chooses the Prime Minister, although convention requires that his or her choice be the leader of the party with a majority of seats in the House of Assembly following a general election.

Legislature
The General Assembly is New Cambria's legislature. The General Assembly is the institution with the power to make laws, to raise taxes, and to authorize government spending. New Cambria's legislature is "bicameral", meaning it has two chambers. Proposed legislation is debated and voted on in both Chambers or houses—the appointed Legislative Council and the elected House of Assembly (commonly described as the "upper" and "lower" houses, respectively).

The legislative and executive branches of the government create the laws of the land. Proposed Government legislation (a bill) is introduced in one of the two Chambers (usually the House of Assembly) by a Minister. The bill is then subjected to a detailed process of review, debate, examination, and amendment through both Chambers before it is ready to receive final approval.

To become law, all legislation must be adopted by both houses in identical form and receive Royal Assent. Bills calling for the spending of public revenues or for the imposing of taxes must originate from the House of Assembly.

The Legislative Council, or upper house, is composed of 40 members (called Legislative Councilors or MLCs) appointed by the Governor General, on the advice of the Prime Minister, to represent all segments of New Cambria's society.

The House of Assembly, or lower house, is the elected chamber of the General Assembly. Its 80 members are elected by New Cambrians eligible to vote. Each successful candidate has received a specified number of votes (called the quota) cast in his or her electoral district (also called a riding).