ouap. 11] THE COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA 923 
electoral matters such as an increase or diminution of the 
number of the members of the Senate, the Lower House, the 
franchise for both Houses, qualification of members, and 
similar questions. It can also decide what quorum is 
required in the Senate, and what quorum is required in the 
House of Representatives. Parliament may also provide with 
regard to disputed elections, and has, as a matter of fact, by 
Act No. 10 of 1907 referred cases to the High Court, instead 
of either House, exercising the power given by s. 47 of the 
Constitution. Parliament also can deal with the salary of 
members, and has asserted its sovereignty by declining to 
make the increase of the salary to £600 a year conditional on 
the approval of the people obtained at a general election in 
which the question was formally discussed! Parliament also 
has full right to legislate as to the powers, privileges, and 
immunities of the two Houses, and the penalties incurred by 
persons who sit when not properly qualified. Parliament also 
can legislate as to the number of ministers, their salaries, and 
the appointment and removal of civil servants. Parliament 
has a wide power which it has exercised by the Acts of 1903 
and 1907 as to the regulation of the judicature, and by s. 74 
of the Constitution can limit appeals to the Privy Council. 
Parliament also was empowered by s. 87 by a simple Act to 
make provision as to the appropriation after ten years of the 
revenue of the Commonwealth from customs and excise, and 
has exercised the power. It has also power by s. 96 to deal 
with financial assistance to the states, and with similar 
matters, such as audit by s. 97. 
The substance of the Constitution itself is, however, depen- 
dent for alteration on the provisions laid down in s. 128.2 
t Contrast the attitude of the Premier of Western Australia in 1910 when 
pressed to increase the salary of members in the then existing Parliament; 
the Bill of 1910-11 was not to take effect until the new Parliament met, 
but he yielded at last to the strong desire of the Parliament for an 
increase. The South Australia Act of 1910, No. 1025, provided for a 
referendum. On the other hand, Tasmania, by Act 1 Geo. V. No. 53, 
adopted an increase, as did Canada in 1905 by 4 & 5 Edw. VIL c. 43. 
* Quick and Garran, op. cit, pp. 993 seq. : Harrison Moore, op. cit. 
pp. 597 seq.