AOS 1 - DP 1 + 2

Question 1

Australian parliamentary system is based on -

Answer 1

Westminster system

Question 2

Head of State

Answer 2

The Queen

represented at federal level by the GG and at state level by the AG

Question 3

Roles of the HoR

Answer 3

Determines government of the day
Initiates and makes most bills
Amends existing laws
revokes outdated laws
Represents the people
Publicises and scrutinises government administration
Controls government expenditure

Question 4

Structure of the HoR

Answer 4

150 members from electorates with about equal amounts of electors
Three year terms
Majority party forms government and second largest forms opposition
Ministers are chosen from within government

Question 5

Minority government

Answer 5

The government doesnt hold more than 50 percent of seats in the HoR

Question 6

Structure and role of the Senate

Answer 6

76 - 12 from each state and 2 from each territory, elected for 6 years
Represents the states
House of review
Can also make laws and initiate all bills other than money bills (appropriation bills)

Question 7

House of obstruction, hostile or rubber stamp definition

Answer 7

Obstruction - Bills get rejected because the government doesnt hold a majority for political reasons

Rubber stamp - Government holds majority and is able to pass bills without much debate

Question 8

Principles of the australian parliamentary system

Answer 8

representative government
responsible government
separation of powers

Question 9

Effectiveness of the senate

Answer 9

Tends to vote along party lines
rubber stamp
hostile
Balance of power by one member
Provides checks and balances on government to ensure power is not abused

Question 10

Governor general selection

Answer 10

chosen by the prime minister who then recommends them to the queen and the queen always accepts

Question 11

Role of the GG

Answer 11

Appoints prime minister and senior ministers to establish:
- departments of government
- ministers
Gives riyal assent to all passed Bills
s58 - GG can withold royal assent
Ensures the democratic system operates effectively

Question 12

GG reserve powers

Answer 12

Can open, summon and dissolve parliament and also prorogue a current session
exercised under the advice of ministers

Question 13

Victorian Parliament structure

Answer 13

Bicameral
Lower - LA
Upper - LC

Question 14

Legislative Assembly role and structure

Answer 14

88 members from 88 electorates
Premier - head of government - majority in the house
Will of the majority
4 year terms

Question 15

LC role and structure

Answer 15

40 members - 5 from 8 regions
Represents regional interests
Reviews legislation passed by lower house
Cannot block supply bills
can initiate legislation but not appropriation bills

Question 16

Governor of victoria

Answer 16

Gives royal assent
Constitutional responsibilities:
-Protects the victorian constitution and makes sure the parliament is acting under the constitution
- Reserve powers
Ceremonial duties
Community engagement

Question 17

Functions of parliament and what it consists of

Answer 17

Primary law making body
All members of both houses from all political parties and the crown's representatives
Includes:
committees
government
opposition
prime minister, premiers and ministers
cabinet
Function:
make laws on behalf of the people
formation of government
forum and debates
scrutinise actions of government
balance the books - revenue and expenditure

Question 18

Representative government

Answer 18

REFLECTS the views of the people
essential for democracy
chosen by the people

Question 19

Responsible government

Answer 19

government’s ACCOUNTABILITY to the people
ministers must maintain the confidence of government
ministers being questioned
resignation of ministers and government

Question 20

Separation of Powers

Answer 20

Principle which separates 3 different types of power and the need for these powers to be held by different bodies so that noone has absolute control
Legislative arm, Executive arm, judicial arm

Question 21

Executive power

Answer 21

Power to administer laws - cabinet

Manage the business of government - GG

Question 22

Legislative Power

Answer 22

power to make laws - parliament

Question 23

Judicial Power

Answer 23

Power to enforce the law and settle disputes - Courts and Tribunals
This power is independent and separate from the legislative and judicial arms

Question 24

Reasons for the separation of powers

Answer 24

Each arm provides checks on eachother
protects stability of government and freedom of people
independence between bodies checks on power of government to ensure it doesnt go outside its area of power

Question 25

Effectiveness of parliament

Answer 25

Rubber stamp
Party lines
public debate
restrictions on parliament jurisdiction