What did the Constitution do?

Question 1

Constitution

Answer 1

It was the plan or “road map” that set up how the new country of Australia would operate.

Question 2

01

Answer 2

Established the House of Representatives and the Senate and all the processes they would follow to pass laws for the new country. Collectively these two bodies are referred to as “The Federal Parliament”.

Question 3

02

Answer 3

Converted the existing colonies of the UK to states of Australia.

Question 4

03

Answer 4

Established the processes for how citizens of the new country would elect their representatives to these new bodies (Federal elections). It was agreed there would be elections every 3 years for the House of Representatives and every 6 years for the Senate.

Question 5

04

Answer 5

Established the High Court of Australia to hear cases about laws which were passed by the new bodies.

Question 6

05

Answer 6

Established all of the areas of responsibility that the new “Federal Parliament” would be responsible for (exclusive powers) and what would remain with the states (residual powers). These are outlined in S 51 of the Constitution.

Question 7

Exclusive Powers

Answer 7

a. National Defence
b. International Trade and trade between the states
c. Citizenship
d. International relations with other countries
e. Currency