Parliament / Legislature
What is the main purpose of the Australian Parliament?
To create laws.
What is the name of the Prime Minister's official residence in Canberra?
The Lodge.
What mechanism - generally consisting of 12 members of the community - is used to adjudicate legal disputes?
A jury.
Name the two major political parties in Australia.
Labour Party
Liberal Party / National Party
In what year did Australia's Constitution come into effect?
1901.
What does 'bicameral' mean?
Two houses.
Who is Australia's formal 'Head of State'?
The British Monarch.
What is the most authoritative court in Australia?
The High Court.
In which State was the display of election signage on stobie poles banned this year?
South Australia
What process is used to amend the Australian Constitution?
Referendum.
What is the name of the upper and lower houses of the Federal Parliament?
Upper: Senate
Lower: House of Representatives
What is a 'minority government'?
A government who needs the support of minor parties or independents to secure a majority in Parliament.
Name 3 South Australian courts.
Supreme Court, District Court, Magistrate's Court, Probate Court, ERD Court, Youth Court, Nunga Court.
What does AEC stand for?
Australian Electoral Commission.
What is the significance of section 51 of the Australian Constitution?
It grants the Federal Parliament legislative power over specific things.
How many seats there in both houses of the Federal Parliament combined?
227.
What is 'The Cabinet'?
The group of senior Government Ministers who are responsible for major policy decisions.
What is the 'doctrine of precedent'?
The doctrine of precedent requires courts to follow decisions made in higher courts in similar cases.
Each minister of the opposition government is referred to as the what minister?
Shadow Minister.
What is one role of the Governor-General under the Constitution?
Represents the British Monarch.
Gives royal assent to legislation.
Appoints ministers.
Performs ceremonial roles.
What purpose does 'parliamentary privilege' serve in Australia's democracy?
It exempts MPs from the legal consequences of what they say in Parliament, and thereby allows them to more fully represent their constituents by speaking freely and frankly.
Name 3 Federal Statutory Authorities.
ACCC, ACMA, AEC, AFP, ASIC, ABS, Australia Post, CSIRO, ABC, ALRC, BoM, National Library of Australia, National Museum of Australia, RBA etc.
What is the difference between an 'original jurisdiction' and an 'appellate jurisdiction' of a court?
An original jurisdiction empowers a court to hear a matter for the first time, whereas an appellate jurisdiction allows a court to hear a matter on appeal.
What system of voting is used to elect Members to the Senate?
Proportional voting
What foundational legal principle - coined by the French philosopher Montesquieu - is implied by the structure of the Constitution?
The Separation of Powers.