The Commonwealth Parliament

Question 1

The Commonwealth Parliament

Answer 1

Consists of…

• The Queen (represented by the Governor General)
• The Senate (upper house)
• The House of Representatives (lower house)

Question 2

The house of Representatives

Answer 2

The lower house also known as the “peoples house” as the house reflects the current options and views of the community.
There are 150 members each member represents an electoral division.
Stay in office for 3 years.
It is compulsory to vote and to vote you must be 18 years old and registered to vote.

Question 3

Government

Answer 3

The party that achieves majority of elected members forms “government” and the leader of the party becomes the Prime Minister.

The party with the next highest amount of elected members forms the “opposition”.

Question 4

Opposition

Answer 4

The opposition questions and scrutinises the government about their decisions and make sure that the government is held accountable/responsible for their actions.

Question 5

Role of the House of Representatives in law making

Answer 5

• Initiate and make laws
• Determine the government
• Provide responsible government
• Represent the people
• Scrutinise the government
• Act as a house of review
• Control government expenditure

Question 6

Role of the House of Representatives

Answer 6

• Form government
• Propose, debate and vote on bills and amendments
• Examine issues in committees
• Decide matters of national interest
• Represent interest of people in their electorates
• Scrutinise executive government

Question 7

The Senate

Answer 7

Consists of 76 elected members, each state elects 12 representatives regardless the population of the state.
There are 2 representatives from each mainland territory.
They serve for 6 years.

Question 8

The role of the Senate in law making

Answer 8

The Senate can NOT initiate money bills!

• Act as a house of review
• Act as a states house
• Scrutinise bills through the committee process
• Initiate and pass bills

Question 9

Role of the Senate

Answer 9

• Represent the interests of people in their state/territory
• Propose, debate and vote on bills and amendments
• Decide matters of national interest
• Examine issues in committees
• Scrutinise executive government