Constitutional Sections
What does S109 do?
Provide a mechanism to resolve disputes between state and Commonwealth law-making powers
Name one factor that affects parliament's law-making abilities
Bicameral structure
International pressures
Representative nature of parliament
Name the two houses of parliament in Victoria
Legislative Assembly, Legislative Council
The end-of-year exam is usually how many marks?
80
Which planet is known as the 'red planet'
Mars
What does Section 1 of the Constitution outline?
Bicameral Parliament - The legislative power of the Commonwealth shall be vested in a Federal Parliament, which shall consist of the Queen, a Senate, and a House of Representatives, and which is hereinafter called The Parliament, or The Parliament of the Commonwealth.
How many seats are required for a majority in the Senate?
39
Who is the current Governor-General?
Her Excellency the Honourable Ms Sam Mostyn AC
Evaluate
Which Australian city hosted the 2000 Olympics?
Sydney (gross)
What is the section and subsection of the Constitution that outlines "external affairs"?
S51(xxix)
Name two sources of international pressures
Individuals, activist groups, other countries, TNCs (big companies), United Nations
Identify a role of the Legislative Assembly
- Initiate and pass bills, form government, scrutinise government administration, represent the people, act as a house of review (if a bill has been initiated and passed in Legislative Assembly), or control government expenditure
Which task/command word requires you to talk about strengths/weaknesses in a balanced manner?
"Discuss"
What is the capital of Canada?
Name 1 strength and 1 weakness regarding the bicameral structure of parliament
Hostile Upper House - Strength: consider range of views, Weakness: blocks government from passing bills
Rubber Stamping: Strength: effective way to make laws, Weakness: can prevent upper house from being a 'true house of review'
Stages of a bill: Strength: more thorough review/scrutiny, Weakness: time consuming
Sitting days: Weakness: the lack of sitting days is a barrier to efficient law-making, Strength: engaging with the community = better understand views of the people to create more representative legislation
How can representing the views of the majority have a NEGATIVE impact on parliament's law-making?
Parliament can be too concerned with winning votes, rather than governing effectively
Identify one way the diversity of parliament can impact law making
- Diversity
- Negative Impact - lack of diversity = people/groups views may not be represented well enough
- Does not impact - diversity itself does not necessarily impact ability to represent people - MPs can understand the needs and interests of their communities by engaging with them, relying on formal law reform bodies, etc.
Give an example of something you might do/write in your SAC that would make Mr Slater or Miss Talevski grumpy.
- Not capitalise court names (grr)
- Not refer back to statement in a response if a question has one
- Saying "you can appeal the decision" (double grrr)
(Answers are up to Mr Slater & Miss Talevski's discretion)
In what year did the Berlin Wall fall?
1989
Explain why the Tasmanian Dam Case was so significant with reference to the correct constitutional section.
-S51(xxix) - external affairs
-It substantially increases the power of the Commonwealth to move into areas previously considered to be a residual power – the Commonwealth can intervene in state matters if required to uphold international treaties.
Which day of the year is a state election held in Victoria?
Last Saturday in November
Name the last 5 prime ministers (including the current one) (lol)
Albo
Scomo
Malcolm Turnbull
Tony Abbott
Kevin Rudd
What is the exact date (Weekday, Day, Month) and timing (e.g. start and finish time) of the end of year Legal Studies exam?
Friday 6th November, 2026, 3pm-5:15pm
Which AFL team won the 1997 premiership?
Adelaide Crows