Chapter 1- The Australian Parliamentary System

Question 1

❓❓❓what is a representative government?

Answer 1

• a government that represents the views of the majority
• representatives are voted in by the people
• if a government doesn’t represent the views of the majority, it is likely to be voted out at the next election

Question 2

❓❓❓what is a responsible government?

Answer 2

• a government that is accountable to parliament and the voters of their department
• minsters are answerable for the decisions and actions of their department
• if their government loses support of the lower house, it must resign
• ministers can be questioned by other members of parliament about their activity, as well the activity of their department
• ministers must act with integrity, or can be demoted or forced to resign

E.g. Bronwyn Bishop was forced to resign as speaker due to the travel allowance rort

Question 3

❓❓❓what is the separation of powers?

Answer 3

-the division of three powers

Question 4

❓❓❓why is the separation of powers needed?

Answer 4

-powers must be exercised by different bodies so that they are kept separate, no single body has absolute power, and no branch can interfere with or control the operation of another power

Question 5

❓❓❓what is the legislative power and who is it exercised by? (Separation of powers)

Answer 5

• power to make laws

- exercised by parliament

Question 6

❓❓❓what is the executive power, and who is it exercised by? (Separation of powers)

Answer 6

• the power to govern the country

- exercised by the governor-general, and two relevant ministers

Question 7

❓❓❓what is the judicial power, and who is it exercised by? (Separation of powers)

Answer 7

• the power to interpret and enforce laws

- exercised by the courts

Question 8

☀️☀️☀️TO WHAT EXTENT ARE THE POWERS KEPT SEPARATE?

Answer 8

• legislative and executive are not completely separate because the government sits in parliament and is part of the legislative process
• judicial remains independent

Question 9

❓❓❓what is the structure of the Australian parliament?

Answer 9

• crown (governor-general)
• upper house (senate)
• lower house (house of representatives)

Question 10

❓❓❓what is the structure of the Victorian parliament?

Answer 10

• crown (governor)
• upper house (legislative council)
• lower house (legislative assembly)

Question 11

❓❓❓what are the three main roles of the crown in the federal parliament?

Answer 11

• granting royal assent
• reserve powers
• being part of the executive council

Question 12

❓❓❓explain “granting Royal assent” (role of crown)

Answer 12

-when the governor-general or governor signs a bill, making it a law

Question 13

❓❓❓explain “reserve powers” (role of crown)

Answer 13

-the Governor-General ONLY can withhold Royal assent

Question 14

❓❓❓explain “being part of the executive council” (role of crown)

Answer 14

• responsive.e for making delegated legislation while acting in council with relevant ministers
• checking delegated legislation

Question 15

☀️☀️☀️ROLE OF THE CROWN

Answer 15

Also:

• dismiss or swear in prime minister/premier
• issue writs for elections
• ceremonial duties

Question 16

❓❓❓what is the role of the crown in state parliament?

Answer 16

-the same as federal parliament, but cannot withhold Royal assent

Question 17

❓❓❓what is the role of the lower house in federal parliament?

Answer 17

• introduce most bills into parliament
• debate bills
• determines government

Question 18

❓❓❓what is the role of the lower house in state parliament?

Answer 18

• introduce most bills into parliament
• debate bills
• determines government

Question 19

❓❓❓what is the role of the upper house in federal parliament?

Answer 19

• reviews bills passed by lower house (house of review)

- represents views of the states as they review bills (states house)

Question 20

❓❓❓what is the role of the upper house in state parliament?

Answer 20

-reviews bills passed by lower house

Question 21

❓❓❓what are the five main roles of the House Of Representatives?

Answer 21

• making laws
• determining government
• represent the people (representative government)
• scrutinise actions of government (responsible government)
• controlling government spending

Question 22

❓❓❓explain “making laws” (role of house of reps.)

Answer 22

• main function of this house
• any member can introduce a proposal for a new law
• to become a law, a proposal must receive approval from both House of Parliament

Question 23

❓❓❓explain “determining government” (role of house of reps.)

Answer 23

-the party with the majority in the lower house forms government and it must maintain the support of the lower house to remain in government

Question 24

❓❓❓explain “represent the people” (role of house of reps.)

Answer 24

-members of the House of Representatives are elected to represent areas of approximately the same number of electors

Question 25

❓❓❓explain “scrutinise actions of government” (role of house of reps.)

Answer 25

-individual members of the House of Representatives may present views of their electorate by raising questions with ministers during question time

Question 26

❓❓❓ explain “controlling government spending” (role of house of reps.)

Answer 26

-government can only collect taxes or allocate the spending of public money if a law is passed by parliament

Question 27

❓❓❓explain the two main roles of the senate

Answer 27

‘HOUSE OF REVIEW’
-reviews legislation passed by the lower house

‘STATES HOUSE’
-upholds the interests of the states to ensure that less populous states are not being exploited (reason why each state has 12 senators regardless of size)

Question 28

❓❓❓what are two reason why the senate may not effectively perform its role as a ‘house of review’?

Answer 28

• hostile senate

- rubber stamp

Question 29

❓❓❓explain a “hostile senate” (effectiveness of senate)

Answer 29

• when the opposition holds the majority in the upper house

- the upper house is then more likely to review bills passed more carefully

Question 30

❓❓❓explain a “rubber stamp” (effectiveness of senate)

Answer 30

-when the government holds a majority in the upper house and merely passes the bills made in the lower house without adequately scrutinising them

Question 31

❓❓❓explain the effectiveness of the senate as a “states’ house”

Answer 31

-senators tend to vote according o the dictates of their party, rather than in the interests of their states

Question 32

❓❓❓name the three legal principles

Answer 32

• representative government
• responsible government
• separation of powers