U4 AOS1

Question 1

what is a constitution?

Answer 1

a set of rules that establishes the nature, functions, and limits of government, and determines the power and duties of the government

Question 2

when did the aus constitution come unto force?

Answer 2

jan 1st 1901

Question 3

what are the features of the aus constitution?

Answer 3

• establishes commonwealth parliament + the composition of the house of reps and the senate
• establishes the high court of aus
• sets out matters relating to the states
• establishes the law-making powers held by the commonwealth parliament
• provides a mechanism to change the aus constitution (via referendum)

Question 4

what is the composition of the commonwealth parliament?

Answer 4

• king/monarch (represented by the governor-general)
• senate (upper house)
• house of reps (lower house)

Question 5

how many members does the house of reps have and what does each member represent?

Answer 5

151 members, each one represents an electorate in australia

Question 6

who forms government?

Answer 6

the political party, or coalition of parties (joined parties) that achieves the majority of members elected to the house of reps

Question 7

who is the prime minister?

Answer 7

the leader of the party/coalition of parties that forms government

Question 8

who is the opposition?

Answer 8

the party with the next highest number of elected members

Question 9

what is the main role of parliament?

Answer 9

to make laws

Question 10

what are the roles of the house of reps in law-making?

Answer 10

• initiating + making laws
• determining the government
• representing the people
• scrutinising gov administration
• acting as a house of review
• controlling gov expenditure

Question 11

how many members does the senate have and what does each member represent?

Answer 11

76 members, representing states + territories (12 from each state, 2 from each territory)

Question 12

what is the main role of the senate?

Answer 12

to review laws that have passed through the house of reps

Question 13

what are the roles of the senate in law-making?

Answer 13

• acting as a house of review
• allowing for equal representation of the states
• scrutinising bills and gov administration
• initiating and passing bills

Question 14

what is the composition of the vic parliament?

Answer 14

• king/monarch (represented by governor of vic)
• legislative council (upper house)
• legislative assembly (lower house)

Question 15

how many members are there of the legislative assembly and what do they represent?

Answer 15

88 members, each representing one electorate in vic

Question 16

what are the roles of the legislative assembly in vic?

Answer 16

• intiate and pass bills
• form government
• represent the people
• act as a house of review
• control gov expenditure
• scrutinise gov administration

Question 17

how many members does the legislative council have and what do they represent?

Answer 17

40 members, 5 elected from each of the 8 regions across vic

Question 18

what are the roles of the legislative council in law-making?

Answer 18

• acting as a house of review
• scrutinising gov administration
• initiating and passing bills

Question 19

what are the 3 main roles of the crown in law-making?

Answer 19

• granting royal assent
• wittholding royal assent
• appointing the executive council