Legal and Political System
This formal step, performed by the Governor‑General, is required before a bill becomes an Act of Parliament.
What is Royal Assent
This foundational document, which came into force in 1901, created the Commonwealth and divided powers between the states and the federal government.
What is the Australian Constitution
Under this principle, the Executive must maintain the confidence of the House of Representatives to stay in office.
What is responsible government?
This year marked the moment when six British colonies united to form the Commonwealth of Australia.
What is 1901
This Torres Strait Islander activist’s landmark case led the High Court to recognise native title in 1992.
Who is Eddie Mabo
Known as the “house of review,” this chamber examines, amends, and can block legislation passed by the lower house.
What is the senate
This court has the final say on interpreting the Constitution and can strike down laws that exceed Commonwealth power.
High Court of Australia
When judges clarify the meaning of legislation, they are engaging in this judicial function.
What is statutory interpretation
This title is held by the leader of the political party (or coalition) that commands a majority in the House of Representatives.
What is the Prime Minister?
Appointed in 1987, she became the first woman to serve as a Justice of the High Court of Australia.
Who is Mary Gaudron
This constitutional principle divides law‑making authority between the Commonwealth and the states.
What is division of powers
This section of the Constitution resolves conflicts between state and Commonwealth laws by giving federal law priority.
What is Section 109
This doctrine requires lower courts to follow the legal reasoning of higher courts in similar cases.
What is the doctrine of precedent
This Shakespeare tragedy features three witches, a prophecy, and a Scottish nobleman driven by ambition.
What is Macbeth
Often called the “Great Dissenter,” this former High Court Justice is known for his progressive judgments and human‑rights advocacy.
Who is Michael Kirby
This group of senior ministers, led by the Prime Minister, makes key government policy decisions.
What is the Cabinet
This type of election can be called when the Senate repeatedly rejects the same bill, sending all seats in both houses to the polls.
What is a double dissolution
These major public inquiries, established by the Governor‑General, investigate matters of national importance.
What is a Royal Commission
After retiring from the High Court, he led the Royal Commission into Misconduct in the Banking, Superannuation and Financial Services Industry.
Who is Kenneth Hayne
Australia’s first native‑born Governor‑General, this legal “double‑I” made history long before anyone was checking IDs.
Who is Sir Isaac Isaacs
This section of the Constitution caused multiple parliamentary disqualifications in 2017 due to dual citizenship issues.
section 44
This section of the Constitution lists the 39 areas in which the Commonwealth Parliament can make laws, including trade, taxation, and external affairs.
What is Section 51
Before becoming Chief Justice, he served as the inaugural President of the Native Title Tribunal.
Who is Robert French
This ethical theory, often used in legal policy debates, argues that the morally right action is the one that produces the greatest good for the greatest number.
Utilitarianism
Often described as Australia’s greatest jurist, this Chief Justice was known for his strict legalism and careful reasoning.
Who is Sir Owen Dixon