Governance in Australia - Constitution and separation of powers

The Australian Constitution is

• a guide for governing a country

• the law which gives people the power to do things

• a the set of rules by which Australia is governed

• a powerful document

What doctrine was used to claim Australia?

• terra nullius

• The Constitution

• A Bill

• Proclamation by the Queen

When year did the Australian Constitution come into effect?

• 1898

• 1899

• 1900

• 1901

The function of the constitution is

• to guarantee some basic rights for Australian citizens

• to regulate relations between the new Federal Government and the 6 states

• To create a new central government and its agencies and to outline their powers and responsibilities

• to explain peoples freedoms

What section of the constitution sets out the powers to make laws for the peace, order and good government of the Commonwealth

• Section 109

• Section 44

• Section 51

• Section 52

Exclusive powers are held by the Federal Government they include law making powers in which areas

• Trade

• Defence

• Foreign affairs

• Customs

Concurrent powers are those that ________

• can be exercised by the states only

• can be exercised by both the states and the Commonwealth

• can be exercised by the states and territories only

• can be exercised by the Commmonwealth only

(s108) of the Constitution outlines remaining powers within the states; they are called the residual powers and only the states can make laws based on these powers. Examples of these areas are _______

• Education

• Health

• Defence

• Law and order

What is the role of the High Court?

• To decide what the meaning of the words in the constitution are

• To decide disputes arising from the interpretation of the Constitution

• it is the ultimate court of Appeal for all Australian courts

• is the court of appeal for the magistrates court

How can the Australian Constitution be changes?

• through a federal election

• through referendum

• through a state election

• through a public petition