Power And The legislature

Question 1

The Representative Function

Answer 1

Implies that parliament should provide a voice for the interests and opinions of electors. Parliamentarians can either be delegates, trustees, partisan or mirror.

Question 2

Collective Ministerial Responsibility (CMR)

Answer 2

Governments take collective responsibility for their decisions (any minister who publicly disagreed with a government should resign) and are required to resign if the House passed a vote of no confidence.

Question 3

Individual Ministerial Responsibility (IMR)

Answer 3

Ministers are accountable to parliament for their conduct and should resign if parliament passed a censure motion against them. Censure motions may result from allegations of personal or political corruption, conflicts of interest, administrative incompetence or personal behaviour that brings discredit on the parliament. Ministers are accountable for mal administration or corruption in their departments- chain of responsibility.

Question 4

What are the Functions of Parliament?

Answer 4

The Legislative Function
The Representative Function
The Accountability/ Responsibility Function
Forum for Debate

Question 5

Forum for Debate

Answer 5

Issues of national importance are raised and evaluated. parliamentary committees often investigate and report on general issues. It provides an opportunity for the expression of community views and raises awareness of political issues. Parliament can directly debate major public issues to asses policy alternatives and public support for change.

Question 6

Parliamentary Privilege

Answer 6

Special rights that give parliamentarians immunity from ordinary law to allow them to carry out their activities without fear of prosecution in court - right of free speech in parliament.
Parliament can apply sanctions for misuse
Allows more open debate in parliament.

Question 7

Origins of Legislation

Answer 7

Public Service advice
Government policies put to voters at election
Response to political events and controversies
The Backbench
Minor Parties

Question 8

The Legislative Function

Answer 8

Specifies that parliaments should initiate, deliberate and pass legislation. Bills should be thoroughly examined and amended if necessary.