§ 150. “The Queen's Ministers of State for the Commonwealth.”
The Queen's Ministers of State for the Commonwealth, appointed by the Governor-General under sec. 64, are exempt from the general prohibition directed by sub-sec. iv. against office-holders and place-holders occupying seats in the Federal Parliament. It is one of the fundamental principles of the existing system of responsible government, that Ministers of the Crown should be capable of being members of Parliament, and that they should not hold office for any lengthened period, unless they are members; the reason being that they are responsible to Parliament for their political conduct, and should therefore be present in one of the Chambers in order to answer questions respecting the administration of their departments, to hear Parliamentary criticism, and, if necessary, to defend themselves when attacked.