Frontbencher
In many parliaments and other similar assemblies, seating is typically arranged in banks or rows, with each political party or caucus grouped together. The spokespeople for each group will often sit at the front of their group, and are then known as being on the frontbench and are described as frontbenchers. Those sitting behind them are known as backbenchers. Independent and minority parties sit to the side or on benches between the two sides, and are referred to as crossbenchers. Frontbenchers may be part of a Frontbench Team with other members of their political party.
United Kingdom
In the House of Commons, the Government frontbench is traditionally called the Treasury bench. The government frontbench is on the right hand side as seen by the Chairman, and is occupied by Government ministers. The opposition frontbench is occupied by shadow ministers, of whom the most senior form the Shadow Cabinet.Canada
While backbenchers are referred to in the House of Commons of Canada, the front seats on the government side are reserved for cabinet ministers. Front row members of the governing party are not referred to as frontbenchers, but as cabinet ministers. Some "frontbenchers" actually sit in the centre of the second row, so as to be seen directly behind the party leader during Question Period.The same arrangement exists for each provincial legislature and the territorial legislature of Yukon. In the case of Nunavut and Northwest Territories where there is consensus government with a non-partisan makeup, ministers sit amongst regular members.
Ireland
A front bench in Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Oireachtas of Ireland, refers to any organised group of party members who holds any degree of speaking power on specific issues. The Teachtaí Dála who are members of the Government of Ireland constitute the government front bench, while the members of parties in declared opposition to the government constitute the opposition front bench.Australia
The Parliament of Australia has a front bench, and all ministers and shadow ministers are government or opposition frontbenchers, respectively. The term is also used for state and territory governments.In more recent times, journalists have casually referred to ministers as frontbenchers rather than expressing the due deference of their ministerial positions.