AOS 1 Ch 1- The Australian Parliamentary System

Question 1

Bicameral

Answer 1

Two Houses of Parliament.

Question 2

Cabinet

Answer 2

A policy making body which consists of the prime minister and senior government ministers who have been placed in charge of a government department.

Question 3

Crown

Answer 3

The authority of the queen which is represented by the governor-general (fed) and the governor (state)

Question 4

Government

Answer 4

Formed by the political party that achieves the majority of votes in the lower house.

Question 5

Legislation

Answer 5

Laws made by parliament

Question 6

Minister

Answer 6

A member of parliament who is a government representative

Question 7

Parliament

Answer 7

The supreme law making body consisting of all elected members of both houses from all political parties and the crown’s representative.

Question 8

Prime minister

Answer 8

The member of parliament who leads the political party that has formed government.

Question 9

Representative government

Answer 9

A government that represents the view of the majority of the people.

Question 10

Responsible government

Answer 10

Where the executive is accountable to parliament and can on,y continue to govern if it has the support of the lower House of Parliament.

Question 11

Royal assent

Answer 11

The signing of a proposed law by the Crown’s representative before it becomes law.

Question 12

Separation of powers

Answer 12

Where the excessive, judicial and legislative powers are held by separate bodies.

Question 13

Statute

Answer 13

An act of parliament.

Question 14

Supremacy(sovereignty) of parliament

Answer 14

The concept that the final law making power rests with parliament whereby parliament can repeal and amend its own previous legislation and can pass legislation to override common law.

Question 15

Westminster principles

Answer 15

The structure of parliament, principles of the parliamentary system and the roles played by the crown and Houses of Parliament that were inherited from the United Kingdom’s Westminster System.

Question 16

What are the the 3 principles of the Australian parliamentary system?

Answer 16

1. Representative government
2. Responsible government
3. Separation of powers

Question 17

How does representative government work?

Answer 17

~Constitution states that elections must be held to allow members of the public to choose members of the senate and HOR.

~Parliament must be answerable to the people.

~Bicameral system allows each house to review the other and ensure they are acting according to the public interest.

Question 18

How does responsible government work?

Answer 18

~It must be answerable to the people and parliament for its actions.

~’Ministerial Accountability’ may be exercised.

~Government must resign if they lose support from the lower house.

~Ministers must resign if their duties aren’t carried out with integrity.

Question 19

What is the purpose for the separation of powers?

Answer 19

1. Protect stability of government and democracy.
2. Provide independence between bodies and avoid bias.
3. Check on power of parliament.

Question 20

What is the executive power?

Answer 20

The power to administer laws and manage the business of government which is vested in the governor-general. The prime minister and senior ministers exercise this power in practise.

Question 21

What is the legislative power?

Answer 21

The power to make laws which is vested in the parliament

Question 22

What is the judicial power?

Answer 22

The power to enforce law and settle disputes which is given to courts and tribunals. It is vested in the high court and federal courts.

Question 23

Which powers are combined in practice?

Answer 23

The executive and the legislative power.

Eg. Giving royal assent to bills

Question 24

Why must the legislative and judicial powers be kept separate?

Answer 24

To safeguard citizens from corruption in dispute resolution.

Question 25

How many senators are there in the Senate?

Answer 25

76 altogether. 12 from each state and 2 from each territory.

Question 26

What are the roles of the senate?

Answer 26

1. Initiate and pass bills (except money bills). 2. Act as State's house. 3. Act as a house of review 4. Scrutinise legislation

Question 27

What is the effectiveness of the senate?

Answer 27

- Senators can vote according to the dictates of their party which may just act as a 'rubber stamp'. - If there is a 'hostile senate' the legislation is more likely to be reviewed very carefully.

Question 28

How many members in the House Of Reps?

Answer 28

150

Question 29

Who does the House of reps consist of?

Answer 29

~Government ~Prime minister ~Opposition ~Leader of the opposition ~Ministers and shadow ministers

Question 30

What are the roles of the House of Representatives?

Answer 30

1. Initiate and make laws 2. Determine the government 3. Provide the principle of responsible government 4. Represent the people 5. Publicise and scrutinise government administration 6. Control government expenditure

Question 31

What are the functions of parliament?

Answer 31

1. Make laws on behalf of the people. 2. Provide the formation of government 3. Provide a forum for debate. 4. Scrutinise the government 5. Delegate law-making power. 6. Balance the books

Question 32

What is the function of a committee?

Answer 32

To investigate the needs of the community in a particular area

Question 33

What are the functions of the PM, Premiers and Ministers?

Answer 33

To appoint ministers for various portfolios

Question 34

What is the function of the cabinet?

Answer 34

To decide general government policies and formulate bills

Question 35

What is the effectiveness of the House Of Reps?

Answer 35

- If gov holds majority of seats the governing party can pass legislation quickly, however, there is less debate for major issues. - A hung parliament can take longer to pass legislation, however, more complex negotiations take place which can result in more effective legislation.

Question 36

What is the upper house in the Victorian parliament?

Answer 36

Legislative council

Question 37

How many MLC's are there in the Legislative council?

Answer 37

40 from 8 different regions

Question 38

What is the role of the LC?

Answer 38

1. Act as a house of review by scrutinising, debating, amending and rejecting legislation.

Question 39

What is the lower house in the vic parliament?

Answer 39

Legislative assembly

Question 40

How many MLAs in the LA?

Answer 40

88, 1 MLA for each of the 88 districts

Question 41

What is the role if the LA?

Answer 41

1. To make laws | 2. To represent the views of the people

Question 42

What is the role of the governor-general?

Answer 42

1. Appoint the federal executive council 2. Give Royal assent to bills 3. Exercise reserve powers when needed 4. Make delegated legislation 5. Appoint judges to courts 6. Designate times for parliamentary sessions. 7. Dissolve HOR to initiate an election.

Question 43

What is the role of the Governor?

Answer 43

1. Act as part of the state executive council. | 2. Exercise reserve powers when needed.