Government and the Law in Australia

What type of government structure does Australia have at the national level?

✓ A constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary system

Who is Australia's head of state?

✓ The King (the monarch), represented by the Governor-General

Who represents the monarch at the national (federal) level in Australia?

✓ The Governor-General

Who represents the monarch in each Australian state?

✓ A Governor

What is the Australian Constitution?

✓ The set of rules by which Australia is governed

When did the Australian Constitution take effect?

✓ 1 January 1901

How can the Australian Constitution be changed?

✓ By a referendum with a 'double majority'

What is a 'double majority' in a referendum?

✓ A majority of voters nationally AND a majority of states

How many houses does the federal Parliament of Australia have?

✓ Two

What are the two houses of the federal Parliament called?

✓ The House of Representatives and the Senate

What is the House of Representatives also known as?

✓ The lower house

What is the Senate also known as?

✓ The upper house

How many senators does each state elect to the Senate?

✓ Twelve

How many senators represent each mainland territory in the Senate?

✓ Two

Who is the leader of the Australian Government?

✓ The Prime Minister

How does a person become Prime Minister of Australia?

✓ They lead the party or coalition with majority support in the House of Representatives

Who is the leader of a state government called?

✓ The Premier

Who is the leader of a local council usually called?

✓ The Mayor or Shire President

How many levels of government does Australia have?

✓ Three

Which level of government is responsible for matters such as defence and immigration?

✓ The federal (national) government

Which level of government is typically responsible for public hospitals and state schools?

✓ State and territory governments

Which level of government is responsible for local services such as rubbish collection and local roads?

✓ Local government (councils)

What are the three arms of government in Australia?

✓ The legislature, the executive and the judiciary

Which arm of government makes and changes the laws?

✓ The legislature (Parliament)

Which arm of government interprets and applies the law through the courts?

✓ The judiciary

What is the highest court in Australia?

✓ The High Court of Australia

What is one role of the High Court of Australia?

✓ To interpret the Constitution

Who appoints the Governor-General?

✓ The monarch, on the advice of the Prime Minister

What is one role of the Governor-General?

✓ To give Royal Assent so bills become law

What is a 'bill' in the Australian Parliament?

✓ A proposed law being considered by Parliament

How does a bill become a law in Australia?

✓ It is passed by both houses of Parliament and given Royal Assent

What voting system is used to elect members of the House of Representatives?

✓ Preferential voting

What is the role of the Opposition in Parliament?

✓ To question the government and offer an alternative

What is the Cabinet in the Australian Government?

✓ A group of senior ministers who make key government decisions

Who can vote to elect the members of Parliament?

✓ Australian citizens aged 18 and over

What does it mean that the government is 'accountable' to the people?

✓ The people can vote it out at elections

Which document divides law-making powers between the federal and state governments?

✓ The Constitution

Who makes sure that laws are obeyed and keeps the community safe?

✓ The police

Is the judiciary (the courts) independent of the government in Australia?

✓ Yes, courts make decisions independently of the government

What is one thing the Prime Minister and government ministers are responsible for?

✓ Running the day-to-day business of government

Which of these is decided by the federal government?

✓ Issuing Australian currency and running the defence forces

What is meant by 'separation of powers'?

✓ Law-making, governing and judging are kept separate

Who opens and closes sessions of the federal Parliament on behalf of the monarch?

✓ The Governor-General

What happens at a federal election?

✓ Citizens vote to elect members of the federal Parliament

Why is it important that members of Parliament are elected by the people?

✓ So the government reflects the will of the people

In which building and city does the federal Parliament meet?

✓ Parliament House in Canberra

What is the system of government Australia inherited from Britain often called?

✓ The Westminster system

How long is the usual maximum term for a member of the House of Representatives?

✓ Three years

How long is the usual term for a state senator?

✓ Six years

Who is responsible for keeping order in the House of Representatives?

✓ The Speaker

What is the total number of senators in the federal Senate?

✓ 76

What does it mean that Australia is a 'federation'?

✓ Power is shared between a national government and the states

Who carries out and enforces the laws made by Parliament?

✓ The executive (government ministers and departments)

What is the role of a jury in a court case?

✓ To decide whether an accused person is guilty based on the evidence

What is 'common law' in Australia?

✓ Law developed through decisions made by judges in courts

Who can introduce a new bill into the federal Parliament?

✓ A member of Parliament

What is the Australian Defence Force responsible for?

✓ Defending Australia and its interests

Which of these is a power of the federal government under the Constitution?

✓ Trade and commerce with other countries

What happens if the two houses of Parliament cannot agree and a deadlock occurs?

✓ A double dissolution election may be called

Which level of government do you usually deal with for a building permit or local park?

✓ Local government (council)

What does 'Royal Assent' mean?

✓ The Governor-General's formal approval that turns a bill into law

Which courts deal with the most serious criminal cases in a state?

✓ Higher courts such as the Supreme Court

What principle means an accused person is treated as innocent until proven guilty?

✓ The presumption of innocence

Why are the courts kept separate from Parliament and the government?

✓ So judges can decide cases fairly and independently

Who has the power to declare a federal law invalid if it breaches the Constitution?

✓ The High Court of Australia