vic parliament

Question 1

legislative assembly

Answer 1

88 members → 88 electoral districts in Victoria
Voters elect who they want to be their representative in the lower house
The member represents the interests of the people in their district
They will remain in office for 4 years
The party that wins the majority of seats forms government
The next largest party forms the opposition

Question 2

roles of legislative assembly

Answer 2

• initiate and pass bills
• form government
• scrutinise government administration
• represent the people
• act as a house of review
• control government expenditure

Question 3

initiate and pass bills

Answer 3

Main function is to initiate new laws
Usually introduced by a governor minister → although any member can introduce a bill

Question 4

scrutinise government administration

Answer 4

Ministers are accountable for their actions
Ministers can be questioned by opposition members about their policies and proposed legislation during question time
Government decisions and legislative proposals are subject to parliamentary scrutiny

Question 5

represent the people

Answer 5

Members of the legislative assembly are elected to represent the interests of the people
Their actions in law making should reflect the views and values of the people
(if not at risk of being voted out)

Question 6

act as a house of review

Answer 6

When a bill has been introduced and passed in the legislative council

Question 7

control government expenditure

Answer 7

For taxes to be collected or money to be spent, the bill must be introduced in the legislative assembly
If therefore controls expenditure as it alone can initiate money bills

Question 8

legislative council

Answer 8

40 members → 8 regions consisting of 11 electoral districts
5 members are elected for each region
Serve a 4 year term
Primary role is to act as a house of review

Question 9

roles

Answer 9

• act as a house of review
• initiate and pass bills
• scrutinise government administration

Question 10

act as a house of review

Answer 10

The role is similar to the senate
Reviews bills introduced and passed in the lower house

Question 11

initiate and pass bills

Answer 11

Can be initiated but less common
Cannot introduce money bills

Question 12

scrutinise government administration

Answer 12

Ministers who are members of the upper house can be questioned by opposition members about their policies and proposed legislation
Government decisions can be scrutinised in the committee process