Chapter 10.4

Question 1

Who is the crown represented by

Answer 1

The Crown (the British monarch) is part of the system of government in Australia and is represented by:
* one Governor-General (at a federal level)
* six governors (at a state level).
The Governor-General is appointed by the Crown on the advice of the Prime Minister of Australia. The
governors of each state are also appointed by the Crown, on the advice of the premier of each state

Question 2

responsibility of crowns representatives

Answer 2

The main responsibility of the Crown’s representatives in Australia is to ensure that the democratic
system operates effectively. This requires an effective electoral system, parliament, government and
courts. It is also essential that the majority of people are confident that their community functions as
a democracy.

Question 3

the roless of the crown in law making

Answer 3

The roles of the Crown in law-making are:
* granting royal assent
* withholding royal assent
* appointing the Executive Council.

Question 4

granting royal assent

Answer 4

The Crown’s representative in both the Commonwealth Parliament (the Governor-General) and the
Victorian Parliament (the Governor of Victoria) is required to approve bills before they can become
law. This is known as royal assent. Royal assent is normally given as a matter of course on the advice
of the Prime Minister or ministers at the Commonwealth level, and on the advice of the Premier of
Victoria or ministers at the Victorian level.

Question 5

withholding royal assent

Answer 5

The Crown’s representative has the power to withhold royal assent (that is, refuse to approve a bill in
order to make it an Act of Parliament). However, this rarely occurs, and the ordinary course is that the
Crown’s representative will approve bills on advice of the Prime Minister, Premier or ministers.
At a federal level, the Australian Constitution specifies the circumstances in which the GovernorGeneral can withhold royal assent.

Question 6

appointing the executive council

Answer 6

The Governor-General (or governor of each state) is responsible for appointing the Executive Council,
which comprises:
* the leader of the government (the prime minister at the federal level and premiers at the state level)
* senior ministers
* assistant ministers.

Question 7

role of the executive council

Answer 7

The role of the Executive Council is to give advice to the Crown’s representative on matters such
as whether to approve regulations. In reality the Crown’s representative acts on the advice of the prime minister or premier when
approving regulations

Question 8

royal assent

Answer 8

the formal signing and
approval of a bill by the
Governor-General (at the
Commonwealth level)
or the governor (at the
state level) after which
the bill becomes an
Act of Parliament (also
known as a statute)

Question 9

executive council

Answer 9

a group consisting of the prime minister and senior ministers (at the
Commonwealth level) or premier and senior
ministers (at the state level) that is responsible for administering and
implementing the law by giving advice about the government and government
departments