commonwealth parliament Flashcards
(18 cards)
constitution
A set of rules and principles that establishes the nature, function and limits of government and determine the powers and duties of the government
The Australian Constitution covers key features of Australia’s government system:
- Establishes the Commonwealth Parliament and its structure
- Establishes the High Court and gives it power to interpret the Constitution
- Sets out matters relating to the states
- Establishes the lawmaking power of the commonwealth parliament
- Allows for a referendum
It protects a limited number of rights but does not include a bill of rights
commonwealth parliament consists of
the king (GG)
the senate
the house of reps
key roles
- to make laws
- to represent the people of australia
house of reps
the lower house
151 members - each representing 1 of 151 electorates
- the voters vote in a federal election to say who they want to represent them
- elected member is expected to represent the views and interests of the people
elections are held every 3 years
- leader becomes PM
- leader appoints shadow ministers
- acts as a check on the ruling party of the day
roles
- initiate and make laws
- determine the government
- control government expenditure
- act as a house of review
- represent the people
- scrutinise government administration
initiate and make laws
Main function is to initiate new laws → most bills introduced here
Involves passing and debating bills, including bills that amend or change existing laws
Take a long time
determine the government
The political party with the most members forms government
As most legislation is initiated in the lower house by government ministers, government policy and mandates are reflected in the legislation introduced
act as a house of review
If a bill has been introduced and passed through the Senate, the House of Reps will act as a second house
Will consider whether the bill should become a law → act as a house of review
If passed, sent to the governor general for royal assent
control government expenditure
A bill must be passed through both houses before a government can collect taxes or spend money
Only the House of Reps can introduce money bills
represent the people
Members are elected to represent the people and act on their behalf
The proposed law should reflect the views and values of the majority
Plays a role in upholding representative government
scrutinise government administration
Ministers must be members of parliament and are expected to answer and be accountable for the decisions, policies and actions
- Referred to as responsible government
- Members can question ministers
- Government policies and decisions can also be investigated and scrutinized through committees
the senate
upper house
consists of 76 elected members called senators
- each state has 12 representatives
- each territory has 2 representatives
each senator represents the interests of their state or territory
- elected for 6 years
- half of them are elected every 3 years and the changeover takes place on july 1st in the year following a general election
roles
- make law
- act as a house of review
- allow for equal representation of the states
- scrutinise bills and government administration
make law
Its law-making powers are equal to the House of Representatives
Cannot initiate money bills and cannot amend them, but can request the House of Reps to make amendments
act as a house of review
Most bills passed in the lower house, Senate reviews these
They may pass it with or without amendment or reject it
Allow for equal representation of the states
Section 7 of the Constitution provides that the Senate should have equal representation from each state regardless of its size or population
Protects the interests of the states, particularly the smaller ones
Scrutinise bills and government administration
Has several committees that can scrutinise legislation or government activities, legislation or policy as well as government expenditure
Question time can also be used to ask questions about government administration
