Intro to Australian Political System (from YouTube video)

The Federal Government is in which city?

• Canberra

• Melbourne

• Sydney

• Brisbane

Answer explanation

Until 1927, the Federal Government was run from Melbourne, which in the old days was larger than Sydney. Due to rivalry between Australia's big cities, Canberra was created built to house the Federal Government, and the ACT was created so that no State could interfere.

What is the Australian Constitution?

• A set of laws

• A health system

• A building

• A TV show

Answer explanation

The Australian Constitution is a set of laws that says how the political system works. Anything that goes against those laws is "unconstitutional" and is not allowed.

If we need to change the Constitution, how do we do it?

• A National Referendum (a kind of survey)

• Parliament can do it

• The State Governments can do it

• The Prime Minister can do it

Answer explanation

The Constitution can only be changed by a National Referendum in which most voters in each state and most voters in all of Australia say it's OK. This is so that none of the States are disadvantaged by the change.

The High Court of Australia is the highest court. One of its main roles is to....

• make sure the Government follows the Constitution

• hold banquet dinners

• run the trials of regular ACT criminals

• run State elections

Answer explanation

The High Court does a number of things, but upholding the Constitution is a very important one.

The 2 main jobs of the Australian Parliament are...

• passing laws and running the country

• passing laws and making the news

• running the country and paying everybody

• running the country and making the news

Answer explanation

The Parliament represents the people and governs the country with laws and actions.

While the Executive (Prime Minister and Cabinet) runs the country, the Legislature represents the people and passes laws. The 2 parts of the Legislature are....

• the House of Representatives and the Senate

• the House of Cards and the Senate

• the Council and the Senate

• the House of Lords and the Council

Answer explanation

Like in the NSW Parliament, the House of Representatives proposes most of the laws, but they have to be approved by the Senate.

The House of Representatives and the Senate are also known as, in that order, ...

• the Lower House and the Upper House

• The Upper House and the Lower House

• The Big House and the Small House

• The Small House and the Big House

Answer explanation

The Upper House / Lower House names come from the traditions of the Parliament of Britain, where the Upper House are all Lords (House of Lords) and the Lower House are all ordinary people.

The Executive is formed by.....

• the Prime Minister and the Cabinet Ministers

• The Prime Minister and the Senate

• The Prime Minister and the President

• The Prime Minister and the Governor-General

Answer explanation

In some other places, like the USA, the Executive is the President of the country. The leader of the Australian Senate is called the Senate President, but it's not the same thing! They're just in charge of running the Senate.

Unless they happen early (they can be called early sometimes), how often are Federal elections?

• Every 2 years

• Every 3 years

• Every 4 years

• Every 6 years

Answer explanation

Members of the House of Representatives are elected for 3 years; Senators are elected for 6 years, but half the Senate is done at a time, every 3 years, when the House of Representatives is elected.

How old do you have to be to vote in a Federal Election?

• 17

• 18

• 21

• 25

Answer explanation

All Australian citizens and a few others are eligible to vote once they reach the age of 18 and have registered.