Structure of Victorian and Commonwealth Parliament

Question 1

Westminister System:

Answer 1

2 houses of Parliament and a sovereign

Question 2

Bicameral Parliament:

Answer 2

A parliament that consists of two houses

Question 3

The Crown:

Answer 3

The monarch

Question 4

Crown in Parliament:

Answer 4

Commonwealth: Governor-General
Victorian: Governor

Question 5

Role of Crown:

Answer 5

Grants royal assent to legislation once a bill has successfully passed both houses.

Question 6

Lower House in Parliament:

Answer 6

Commonwealth: House of Representatives
Victorian: Legislative Assembly

Question 7

Role of Lower House:

Answer 7

Initiate and pass bills
Determine government
Represent the people

Question 8

Determine the government means:

Answer 8

After an election, the political party with the majority of seats in the lower house forms government

Question 9

Represent the people means:

Answer 9

Lower House members are elected by the people and should act on their behalf, therefore proposed laws should reflect the views and values of the majority of the community.

Question 10

The Upper House in Parliament:

Answer 10

Commonwealth: The Senate
Victorian: Legislative Council

Question 11

Roles of the Upper House:

Answer 11

Act as a ‘House of Review’
Represent the states or regions
Initiate and pass bills

Question 12

‘House of Review’ means:

Answer 12

As the majority of bills are initiated in the Lower House, the Upper House has the task to review these bills, and thus has the power to pass, reject or make amendments to bills, ‘reviewing’ them.

Question 13

Represent the ‘States’ or ‘Regions’:

Answer 13

Each state should have equal representation in the Senate regardless of size or population, therefore in this way the Senate represents the interests of these states.

Question 14

Initiate and pass bills (Upper House):

Answer 14

The Upper House is able to initiate Bills (other than money bills) or pass bills that have previously been passed through the lower house.