Chapter 11 Accountability and the Parliament

Question 1

This independent statutory authority administers the Commonwealth Electoral Act and coordinates elections

Answer 1

The Australian Electoral Commission

Question 2

s7 of the Constitution mandates a ________ 6 year term for the Senate

Answer 2

fixed

Question 3

The two sections of the Constitution which ensure the two Houses of Parliament are elected by the people

Answer 3

7 and 24

Question 4

Parliament is responsible for four functions, being

Answer 4

statutes passed, representing the people, forming and holding executive to account, dealing with debate and deliberation properly

Question 5

Single member electorates and a majoritarian system are two key features of this voting system introduced in 1919

Answer 5

preferential voting

Question 6

This MHR lost her Liberal seat in 2013 and her attempt to recontest the seat of Indi in 2016

Answer 6

Sophie Mirabella

Question 7

These three independent MHRs were under intense scrutiny from 2010 to 203 through their support for the minority government of Julia Gillard

Answer 7

Rob Oakeshott, Andrew Wilkie and Tony Windsor

Question 8

The phenomenon of winning an election overall by a small majority of votes but a larger majority of seats is known as ___________ _____________

Answer 8

winner’s bonus

Question 9

The proportional voting system in the Senate has been used since this year

Answer 9

1949

Question 10

Two means of voting in the Senate are ________ and ______________

Answer 10

above the line, below the line

Question 11

This ALP Senator from Tasmania was the first to be elected through support from below the line voters in 2016, where she was ranked 6th of the ALP Senators

Answer 11

Lisa Singh

Question 12

The most notable example of disproportionate power being able to be wielded by a Senator was this Tasmanian Senator in the 1990s

Answer 12

Brian Harradine

Question 13

If an MHR holds a seat by more than 6% margin and below 10%, it is classified as _________

Answer 13

fairly safe

Question 14

This WA seat was targeted by the ALP in the 2016 election, resulting in a victory for Anne Aly

Answer 14

Cowan

Question 15

The seat of Mayo was won in 2016 by this party which had targeted it despite the margin of 12% to overcome

Answer 15

NXT, now Central Alliance

Question 16

This pressure group was instrumental in the defeat of Andrew Nikolic in the seat of Bass in 2016, by distributing how to vote cards numbering Nikolic last.

Answer 16

Getup

Question 17

Accountability of MPs is the focus of three Standing Committees. Name two.

Answer 17

House Standing Committee of Privileges and Members’ Interests; Senate Standing Committee for Privileges; Senate Standing Committee of Senators’ Interests

Question 18

Two causes of being called to account for privileges

Answer 18

contempt or breach of privilege; unparliamentary conduct

Question 19

The most famous recent MHR referred to the House Standing Committee for breach of parliamentary privilege

Answer 19

Craig Thomson

Question 20

MPs are held to account in following Standing Orders in the Senate by _________

Answer 20

the President

Question 21

The infamous Speaker who was forced to step down as Speaker by Tony Abbott in 2015 was the most partisan of recent Speakers

Answer 21

Bronwyn Bishop

Question 22

This parliamentary procedure allows members MPs to speak in parliament about current issues

Answer 22

Matters of Public Importance

Question 23

These parliamentary committees are formed for a special purpose

Answer 23

Select Committees

Question 24

Electoral Matters, Human Rights and Treaties are all examples of these Committees comprised of members of both Houses

Answer 24

Joint Committees

Question 25

A statute passed by Parliament is not constitutional unless grounded in a constitutional _________ of power

Answer 25

head

Question 26

A statute may only be challenged by a party with __________ and brought before the High Court

Answer 26

standing

Question 27

This landmark High Court case of 1951 had implications in restricting legislative power of the Commonwealth through judicial review, protecting rights and upholding the rule of law principle

Answer 27

Communist Party Case

Question 28

Name the three maxims of statutory interpretation

Answer 28

ejusdem generis; noscitur a sociis; expressio unis exclusio alterius

Question 29

Name the three rules of statutory interpretation

Answer 29

literal, golden, mischief or purpose