Key features of Australian Government
Australian Constitution
The role of the House of Representatives (lower house)
The role of the Senate (Upper House)
How Australia is governed
100

How many States does Australia have?

six

100

The Constitution states how many KEY FEATURES relating to how Australia is governed.

five

100

How many members are elected to the House of Representatives?

150

100

How many senators are in the Australian Senate?

76

100

Who is Australia's head of state?

Queen Elizabeth

200

Who appoints the Governor-General?

The Queen then appoints the Prime Minister’s recommendation.

200

What does bicameral parliament mean?

It means two houses consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives

200

How often are elections for MP's held?

Every three years

200

How many years do state Senators serve for?

They serve six-year terms but senators from territories serve three-year terms.

200

The leader of state parliament 

The Premier 

300

What is the name of the position for the representative of the Queen in state parliament is called?

The governor

300

The form of government used in Australia is a what?

constitutional monarchy.

300

Who represents Charters Towers in the house of representatives?

Bob Katter

300

How many Senators represent Australia's territories?

There are 2 senators for each territory

300

What is the role of the Governor-General?

The Queens representative in Australia

400

Australia’s Constitution states that the Commonwealth (federal) Parliament of Australia will consist of three parts. What are they?

•the British monarch

•a House of Representatives

•a Senate.

400

In 1967 the Australian Constitution changed after a referendum was successful. What did this referendum change?

Australians voted overwhelmingly to amend the Constitution to allow the Commonwealth to make laws for Aboriginal people and include them in the census

400

What is the job of MP's in the house of representatives?

To represent people in their electorate

400

How many Senators represent each State?

There are 12 senators for each state

400

the government department, responsible for national decision-making and law-making

The federal parliament

500

What year was federation in Australia?

1st of January 1901

500

The Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act (1900) comprises:

an introduction (often referred to as a preamble)

How many chapters are there? 

How many sections are there?

eight chapters

128 sections.

500

Why is the house of representatives green?

The green colour reflects our link with the House of Commons in the British Parliament.

500

Why is the senate coloured red?

The red colour signifies our historical link with the House of Lords in the British Parliament.

500

the government department that interprets the Constitution and settles disputes between federal and state governments.

The High Court