Parliament And Government

Question 1

Why do we describe our government as a democracy?

Answer 1

Because the people of our country decide who sits in parliament and make our laws.

Question 2

What is a bicameral parliament?

Answer 2

A parliament with two houses

Question 3

What are the three parts to our Commonwealth government?

Answer 3

The lower house: House of Representatives
The upper house: Senate
The queen: represented by the Governor -General

Question 4

What is a unicameral parliament?

Answer 4

A parliament with only one house

Question 5

Which state abolished it’s upper house and is now a unicameral parliament?

Answer 5

Queensland

Question 6

What are the main features of the House of Representatives?

Answer 6

It has 150 members elected for three years. They each represent an electorate or seat. Most legislation is introduced into this house.

Question 7

What are the main features of the Senate?

Answer 7

It acts as a house of review having a second-look at legislation. They vote on new proposals before it becomes a law. It contains 76 members. The 6 states elect 12 each and the 2 territories elect 2 each.

Question 8

How often is an election called?

Answer 8

Every three years

Question 9

What are the four major political parties?

Answer 9

Labor Party, Liberal Party, The Nationals and The Greens

Question 10

When are the elections?

Answer 10

Every three years on a Saturday during 8am and 6pm. The winning party would be announced after counting the votes, generally 3 or 4 hours after the polls close.

Question 11

What does the state government contribute to the environment?

Answer 11

Air and water quality, residential noise and forestry management.

Question 12

What does the federal government contribute to the environment?

Answer 12

Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Act. They protect important or national heritage sites including areas of the coast.

Question 13

What is the name of the territory parliament’s upper house?

Answer 13

Legislative Assembly- only one house

Question 14

What are reserve powers?

Answer 14

Powers that the governor-general has to summon, open and dissolve parliament.

Question 15

Leaders of all major political parties:

Answer 15

Bill Shorten is the leader of the Labor Party
Malcolm Turnbull is the leader of the Liberal Party
Barnaby Joyce is the leader of the the Nationals
Richard Di Natale is the leader of the Greens

Question 16

What power does the federal parliament have over the territory parliaments that don’t apply to state parliaments?

Answer 16

The federal parliament can retain the power to overrule or change the laws passed into territory parliaments