Government and the Law

A is correct. There are three levels of government in Australia: federal (the Australian Government), state and territory governments, and local government (councils). Each generally provides different services.Our Common Bond — Part 3: Government and the law in Australia

B is correct. The Australian Parliament has two houses: the House of Representatives and the Senate. Both consider, debate and vote on proposals for new laws.Our Common Bond — Part 3: Government and the law in Australia

C is correct. Australia's Head of State is the King of Australia, His Majesty King Charles III. The King appoints the Governor-General as his representative in Australia.Our Common Bond — Part 3: Government and the law in Australia

D is correct. The Governor-General is the King's representative in Australia. The Governor-General acts independently of all political parties and must remain neutral.Our Common Bond — Part 3: Government and the law in Australia

A is correct. The King of Australia appoints the Governor-General as his representative, on the advice of the Australian Prime Minister.Our Common Bond — Part 3: Government and the law in Australia

B is correct. The leader of the Australian Government is the Prime Minister — the leader of the party or coalition with the majority of members in the House of Representatives.Our Common Bond — Part 3: Government and the law in Australia

C is correct. The leader of a state government is the Premier. The leader of a territory government is the Chief Minister.Our Common Bond — Part 3: Government and the law in Australia

D is correct. The leader of a local government is the Mayor or Shire President. Elected members of a local council are called councillors.Our Common Bond — Part 3: Government and the law in Australia

A is correct. There is a total of 76 senators. Each state elects 12 senators, and the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory elect two senators each.Our Common Bond — Part 3: Government and the law in Australia

B is correct. On 1 January 1901, the six separate colonies were united into a federation of states called the Commonwealth of Australia, and the Australian Constitution came into effect.Our Common Bond — Part 3: Government and the law in Australia

C is correct. The Australian Constitution is the legal document that sets out the basic rules for the government of Australia. It came into effect on 1 January 1901.Our Common Bond — Part 3: Government and the law in Australia

D is correct. The Australian people can change the Constitution by voting in a referendum. A 'double majority' is required for the change to succeed.Our Common Bond — Part 3: Government and the law in Australia

A is correct. A double majority means both a majority of voters across the nation and a majority of voters in a majority of states (at least four of the six) must vote for the change.Our Common Bond — Part 3: Government and the law in Australia

B is correct. The High Court of Australia has the ultimate power to apply and interpret the laws of Australia. It was established by the Constitution.Our Common Bond — Part 3: Government and the law in Australia

C is correct. The Constitution divides the power of government between the legislative (Parliament), executive (such as the Prime Minister and Cabinet) and judicial (judges) powers, so that no single person or group holds all the power.Our Common Bond — Part 3: Government and the law in Australia

D is correct. Legislative power is the power to make and change laws. Parliament, made up of representatives elected by the people, holds legislative power.Our Common Bond — Part 3: Government and the law in Australia

A is correct. Executive power is the power to put laws into practice. The Executive includes the Prime Minister, Australian government ministers and the Governor-General. Ministers are responsible for government departments.Our Common Bond — Part 3: Government and the law in Australia

B is correct. Judicial power is the power to interpret and apply the law. Judges hold this power, and the courts and judges are independent of parliament and government.Our Common Bond — Part 3: Government and the law in Australia

C is correct. The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) is the independent Commonwealth agency responsible for conducting federal elections and referendums and maintaining the electoral roll. Political parties and government cannot influence it.Our Common Bond — Part 3: Government and the law in Australia

D is correct. Voting is compulsory for Australian citizens aged 18 years or over in federal and state or territory elections, and in referendums. Those who do not vote without a good reason may have to pay a fine.Our Common Bond — Part 3: Government and the law in Australia

A is correct. Voting in an Australian election is by secret ballot, so you are free and safe to vote for any candidate. No one is allowed to know whom you voted for unless you choose to tell them.Our Common Bond — Part 3: Government and the law in Australia

B is correct. After a federal election, the government is generally formed by the party or coalition of parties with the majority of members in the House of Representatives. Its leader becomes the Prime Minister.Our Common Bond — Part 3: Government and the law in Australia

C is correct. The party or coalition with the second largest number of members in the House of Representatives forms the Opposition. Its leader is called the Leader of the Opposition.Our Common Bond — Part 3: Government and the law in Australia

D is correct. Ministers with the most important portfolios make up the Cabinet, which is the key decision-making body of government.Our Common Bond — Part 3: Government and the law in Australia

A is correct. If the majority of members in each house agree to a Bill, it goes to the Governor-General, who signs it so that it becomes law. This is called Royal Assent.Our Common Bond — Part 3: Government and the law in Australia

B is correct. The Australian Government is responsible for national matters such as defence, immigration and citizenship, foreign affairs, taxation, trade and social security.Our Common Bond — Part 3: Government and the law in Australia

C is correct. State and territory governments are primarily responsible for services such as hospitals and health, schools, police, roads and railways, and public transport.Our Common Bond — Part 3: Government and the law in Australia

D is correct. Local governments are responsible for community services such as rubbish collection, local roads and footpaths, parks and playgrounds, libraries and building permits.Our Common Bond — Part 3: Government and the law in Australia

B is correct. After British settlement and before 1901, Australia was made up of six separate, self-governing British colonies. On 1 January 1901 they united into a federation called the Commonwealth of Australia.Our Common Bond — Part 3: Government and the law in Australia

C is correct. Australia is a constitutional monarchy, which means the King is Australia's Head of State but must act in accordance with the Constitution. As the King does not live in Australia, his powers are delegated to the Governor-General.Our Common Bond — Part 3: Government and the law in Australia

D is correct. The Governor-General's roles include giving Royal Assent to Bills, performing ceremonial duties, approving appointments, starting the process for a federal election, and acting as Commander-in-Chief of the Australian Defence Force. The Governor-General must remain neutral.Our Common Bond — Part 3: Government and the law in Australia

A is correct. Australia is divided into federal electorates, each represented by a Member of Parliament. Overall, there are over 150 members elected to the House of Representatives, with the number per state and territory based on population.Our Common Bond — Part 3: Government and the law in Australia

C is correct. There is a total of 76 senators. All states are equally represented regardless of size or population: each state elects 12 senators, and the Australian Capital Territory and Northern Territory elect two senators each.Our Common Bond — Part 3: Government and the law in Australia

B is correct. Australia is divided into federal electorates, and Members of Parliament represent the people in their electorate. The number of MPs for each state and territory is based on the number of people living there. (By contrast, every state elects 12 senators and each territory two, regardless of population.)Our Common Bond — Part 3: Government and the law in Australia

D is correct. The House of Representatives is also called the Lower House or the People's House. Members of Parliament represent the people in their electorate.Our Common Bond — Part 3: Government and the law in Australia

A is correct. The Senate is sometimes called the Upper House, the House of Review or the States' House. Voters from each state elect senators, and all states are equally represented.Our Common Bond — Part 3: Government and the law in Australia

C is correct. The leader of a state government is the Premier, while the leader of a territory government is the Chief Minister.Our Common Bond — Part 3: Government and the law in Australia

B is correct. In each of the states there is a Governor who represents the King in a role similar to that of the Governor-General at the federal level.Our Common Bond — Part 3: Government and the law in Australia

D is correct. In the Northern Territory, an Administrator is appointed by the Governor-General. The role and responsibilities of the Administrator are similar to those of a state Governor.Our Common Bond — Part 3: Government and the law in Australia

A is correct. States have rights recognised by the Constitution while territories do not. States can pass laws in their own right, whereas self-governing territory laws can be altered or revoked by the Australian Government at any time.Our Common Bond — Part 3: Government and the law in Australia

C is correct. A political party is a group of people who share similar ideas about how a country should be governed. The main political parties in Australia are the Liberal Party of Australia, the Australian Labor Party, the Nationals and the Australian Greens.Our Common Bond — Part 3: Government and the law in Australia

B is correct. Most parliamentarians belong to political parties. Some do not belong to any political party, and they are called 'independents'.Our Common Bond — Part 3: Government and the law in Australia

D is correct. If a member of the Australian Parliament proposes to introduce a new law or change an existing one, this proposal is called a 'Bill'. Both Houses consider, debate and vote on it before it can become law.Our Common Bond — Part 3: Government and the law in Australia

A is correct. In Australia's court system, people are considered innocent until they are found guilty in a court. Every person also has the right to be represented by a lawyer in court.Our Common Bond — Part 3: Government and the law in Australia

C is correct. The role of a jury is to decide whether a person is innocent or guilty. The judge explains the law to the jury, and in a criminal trial, if the jury finds a person guilty, the judge decides the penalty.Our Common Bond — Part 3: Government and the law in Australia

B is correct. A jury is a group of ordinary Australian citizens randomly chosen from the general population. Australian citizens on the electoral roll can be called to serve, which helps ensure the court system is open and fair.Our Common Bond — Part 3: Government and the law in Australia

D is correct. Australia has a national police force called the Australian Federal Police (AFP). The AFP investigates crimes against federal laws and is also responsible for general police work in the Australian Capital Territory.Our Common Bond — Part 3: Government and the law in Australia

A is correct. The courts in Australia are independent. A court decides whether a person has broken the law, based only on the evidence before it. The government cannot remove judges and magistrates from their jobs if it disagrees with their decisions.Our Common Bond — Part 3: Government and the law in Australia

C is correct. In Australia, it is a serious crime to bribe the police. It is a crime to even offer a bribe to a police officer.Our Common Bond — Part 3: Government and the law in Australia

B is correct. To drive a car in Australia, you must have a local driver's licence and the car must be registered. Road and traffic rules are controlled by state and territory governments.Our Common Bond — Part 3: Government and the law in Australia

D is correct. It is important to be familiar with Australia's laws. If you break a law that you did not know about, you could still be charged, because not knowing the law is no excuse.Our Common Bond — Part 3: Government and the law in Australia

A is correct. The Australian Government is also called the Federal Government or the Commonwealth Government. It is made up of members of the Australian Parliament, which has two Houses.Our Common Bond — Part 3: Government and the law in Australia

C is correct. Traffic laws in Australia are very strict. It is illegal to drive after taking drugs or above the blood alcohol limit, and it is against the law to use a hand-held mobile device while driving. Everyone in a car must wear a seatbelt.Our Common Bond — Part 3: Government and the law in Australia

D is correct. Besides duties such as giving Royal Assent and acting as Commander-in-Chief, the Governor-General also has special powers known as 'reserve powers' that can only be used in specific circumstances.Our Common Bond — Part 3: Government and the law in Australia