Ch. 2 - Commonwealth Parliament

Question 0

House of Representatives

Answer 0

Lower house = represents interests of majority of people.
Members are elected.
Election every 3 years.

Question 1

Commonwealth Govt Structure

Answer 1

Governor General
House of Rep: 150 members
Senate: 76 members

Question 2

Role of House of Representatives

Answer 2

MAKING laws.
REPRESENTING majority of voters.
FORMING GOVT = Political party who wins majority of seats in House of Reps forms Govt.
SCRUTINISE: legislation debated

Question 3

Senate

Answer 3

Upper house.
Provides stability.
States have 12 Senators. Territories have 2.
Senators have a term of 6 years.
Members elected.
Equal powers to the House of Reps.

Question 4

Role of the Senate

Answer 4

REVIEW LAWS: amend/reject any proposed law.
REPRESENTATIVE GOVT: each State elects equal no. of Senators = equal representation amongst States.
SCRUTINISE GOVT: responsibility for supervising laws, protecting the rights of the citizen, present conflicting views in debate.

Question 5

Crown

Answer 5

Governor General represents the Crown.

Acts on advice of elected members of parliament.

Question 6

Role of Governor General

Answer 6

Grant Royal Assent
Appoint times for holding Parliament
Prorogue Parliaments (end)