Chapter 10.1

Question 1

Australian constitution

Answer 1

A set of rules and principle’s that guide the way Australia is governed, the Australian constitution is set out in the commonwealth of Australian constitution act

Question 2

Constitution

Answer 2

a set of rules and principles that guide the way a country or state is run. some countries have unwritten constituions, others have formal written constitutions

Question 3

Features of the Australian constitution

Answer 3

Although the Australian constitution does not cover all aspects of how Australia is governed it contains the key features:
* it establishes the Commonwealth Parliament
and outlines its structure, including how its two
houses, the House of Representatives and the
Senate, are to be composed
* it establishes the High Court of Australia and gives it powers to interpret the Constitution
* it sets out matters relating to the states. For example, the Constitution provides that state laws will
continue in force in the state that made them unless they are altered or repealed
* it establishes the law-making powers held by the Commonwealth Parliament
* it provides a mechanism by which the wording of the Australian Constitution can be changed –
i.e. by referendum.

Some countries include a bill of rights but the Aus constitution does not.

The Australian constitution also provides a series of protections to ensure that all areas of government operate in a manner that is consistent with key principles that underpin a democracy such as out

Question 4

House of representatives

Answer 4

The lower house of the commonwealth parliament

Question 5

parliament

Answer 5

a formal assembly of representatives of the people that is elected by the people and gathers to make laws

Question 6

senate

Answer 6

The upper house of the commonwealth parliament

Question 7

referendum

Answer 7

The method used for changing the wording of the Australian constitution. A referendum requires a proposal to be approved by the Australian people in a public vote by a double majority

Question 8

Bill of rights

Answer 8

A document that sets out the most important rights and/ or freedoms of the citizens in a particular state of country (also known as a charter of rights)