The Australian Constitution
When was the Australian Constitution first published?
1901
What are the two Houses of Parliament called?
The Senate and the House of Representatives
How many members are on a jury?
12
This freedom, protected in Australia mainly through common law and implied constitutional rights, allows people to express opinions without unreasonable government interference.
Freedom of expression.
What is misinformation?
Misinformation is false or misleading information that is shared because people think it’s true, not because they’re trying to cause harm.
What is the name of the process to change the Constitution?
A referendum
How many senators are there in total?
76 (12 from each state, 2 per territory)
What is the principle that ensures that a person accused of a crime is treated fairly until proven guilty.
Presumption of innocence.
This right ensures that people accused of crimes receive a fair trial, including access to legal representation when justice requires it.
Right to a fair trial.
What is disinformation?
False or misleading information that is deliberately created and spread to deceive people, usually to influence opinions, cause confusion, or manipulate public behaviour.
How many chapter are there in the Australian Constitution?
8
How many MPs are there in the House of Reps?
150
Which court is the first stop for most criminal matters in Australia and deals mainly with summary offences.
The Magistrates Court
This 1992 High Court decision ended terra nullius and recognised Indigenous land rights.
The Mabo case
The rule of law is the idea that no one is above the law, laws must be clear and publicly known, and legal decisions must be made by independent courts, not by personal opinion or political pressure.
How many referendums has there been in Australia's history?
45 (only 8 have been successful)
Who has the final say of bills being approved?
The Governor General
What is the burden of proof in criminal cases?
This freedom allows people to express opinions, but in Australia it is limited by laws such as defamation and anti‑vilification legislation.
Freedom of Speech
What does global identity mean?
Believing you are part of a global community, not just your own country or city.
Name three of the eight chapters
Chapter I: The Parliament
Chapter II: The Executive Government
Chapter III: The Judicature
Chapter IV: Finance and Trade
Chapter V: The States
Chapter VI: New States
Chapter VII: Miscellaneous
Chapter VIII: Alteration of the Constitution
Which house is government formed in?
The House of Reps
What is the burden of proof in civil cases?
On the balance of probabilities
This international document, created in 1948, outlines fundamental human rights and inspired Australia’s later rights‑based laws and policies.
Universal Declaration of Human Rights
What is Blackstone's Formulation?
That it is better to let guilty people be free than imprison innocent people.