The Victorian Parliament (law-making)

Question 1

What does the Victorian Parliament consist of?

Answer 1

• the King (represented by the Governor of Victoria)
• the Legislative Council (the upper house)
• the Legislative Assembly (the lower house).

Question 2

What is the legislative assembly?

Answer 2

The lower house of the Victorian Parliament.

Question 3

How many members in the Legislative assembly?

Answer 3

88 members, each representing one electorate in Victoria.

Question 4

Features of the Legislative assembly:

Answer 4

political party (or coalition of parties) that wins the majority of seats in the Legislative Assembly forms government. The leader of that party is the Premier of Victoria.

The party with the next highest number of elected members becomes the opposition. (appoints shadow ministers)

Question 5

Role of Legislative Assembly in law-making

Answer 5

• initiate and pass bills (main function- takes up most time as debating and scrutinizing bills is a long process)
• form government (majority forms gov, most bills reflect gov policies)
• scrutinise government administration (ministers expected to be answerable and accountable for their decisions, policies & actions)
• represent the people (members elected to rep. people therefore reflecting their views and values)
• act as a house of review (if bill introduced in Legislative Council)
• control government expenditure (only this house can introduce money bills)

Question 6

What is the legislative council?

Answer 6

The upper house of the Vic. Parliament

Question 7

How many members in the Legislative council?

Answer 7

composed of 40 members of parliament. (Five members are elected from eight regions)

Question 8

Role of the Legislative council?

Answer 8

• act as a house of review (primary role as majority of bills are initiated in the lower house)
• initiate bills (not money bills)
• scrutinize government administration (no. of committees that can scrutinize legislation & also during question time)