Constitution
What is the Constitution?
A set of rules that determines the structure of government and its law-making powers.
How many branches are there in the Separation of Powers?
3
How many levels of government are there in Australia?
3
How many houses are there in Australia’s Parliament?
2
Separation of Powers:
Why is the Separation of Powers important?
a) To allow judges to make laws.
b) To prevent one branch from controlling all aspects of government.
c) To ensure the Prime Minister is in charge of all three branches.
d) To make it easier to change laws.
To prevent one branch from controlling all aspects of government.
In what year did Australia’s Constitution come into effect?
1901
What is the purpose of the Separation of Powers?
To prevent corruption and the abuse of power by dividing government roles among three branches.
Name one area of responsibility for each level of government.
Federal – Defence, State – Schools, Local – Waste management
What are the names of the two houses?
House of Representatives and Senate
Which of the following is NOT true about the Australian Constitution?
a) It was established in 1901.
b) It allows the King to make direct changes.
c) It outlines the powers of the federal government.
d) It is difficult to change.
It allows the King to make direct changes.
What is the main purpose of the Constitution?
To establish the structure and powers of the government and outline the division of power between federal and state governments.
Name the three branches in Australia’s Separation of Powers.
Legislature, Executive, Judiciary
What is the primary purpose of dividing power among three levels of government?
To ensure that laws and services are tailored to the needs of national, regional, and local areas.
Which house has more members, and what is its primary role?
The House of Representatives has more members (151) and is responsible for forming government and creating laws.
Which level of government is responsible for schools?
a) Federal
b) State
c) Local
d) Judiciary
State
Name one advantage and one disadvantage of having a written Constitution.
Advantage – Ensures consistent enforcement of laws. Disadvantage – Difficult to change.
Why is the separation not considered complete in Australia?
Because some officials, like the Prime Minister, are part of both the Executive and Legislature.
Why might some issues require cooperation between federal and state governments?
Some issues, like public health, require resources and coordination from both levels to be effectively managed.
Explain the difference between the voting systems used in the House of Representatives and the Senate
he House of Representatives uses a preferential voting system, while the Senate uses a proportional voting system.
Parliament:
What is the role of the Senate?
a) To represent local councils
b) To protect the interests of states and territories
c) To elect the Prime Minister
d) To oversee the High Court
To protect the interests of states and territories
Explain how the Constitution can be changed. What is required for a successful referendum?
The Constitution can be changed through a referendum, requiring a double majority: a majority of voters nationwide and a majority of voters in at least four of the six states.
Describe how each branch of the government checks the powers of the other branches.
The Legislature makes laws, the Executive implements them, and the Judiciary interprets them. Each branch can check the others; for example, the Judiciary can declare a law unconstitutional.
Describe a real-world example of how the Division of Powers could impact a specific policy or issue in Australia.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, both federal and state governments needed to cooperate on health policies, border control, and economic support measures.
How does the bicameral system help balance representation between states and population in Parliament?
The House of Representatives represents the population proportionally, while the Senate represents each state equally, giving smaller states fair representation.
How might a bill pass through both houses to become a law?
For a bill to become law, it must pass through both the House of Representatives and the Senate. It typically starts in the House of Representatives, where members debate, amend, and vote on it. If it passes, it moves to the Senate for further debate and a vote. The Senate can approve, amend, or reject the bill. If both houses agree on the final version, the bill is sent to the Governor-General for Royal Assent, at which point it becomes law.