VCE Legal Studies U4 AOS1 KK#1 - KK#3

How can the wording of the Australian Constitution be changed?

• The wording can be changed through a decision of the High Court

• The wording can be changed by passing a bill through both houses of all state parliaments.

• The wording can be changed through a referendum

• The wording can be changed through a meeting between the Prime Minister and the Attorney-General

The division of law-making powers is established in:

• meetings between the Prime Minister and the states

• the Australian Constitution

• decisions of the state Supreme Courts

• High Court rulings where the judges decide the powers

This is a diagram of the Commonwealth Parliament. Which one of these options does not belong on this diagram?

• The Queen (represented by the Governor-General of Australia)

• The Senate (the upper house)

• The British Monarchy (represented by the Queen)

• The House of Representatives (the lower house)

In the Commonwealth Parliament, the House of Representatives and the Senate both have several roles in law-making. While many of them are different, they also have some of these roles in common.

Which of these roles is a common role of the House of Representatives and the Senate in law-making?

• Publicising and scrutinising government administration.

• Controlling government expenditure.

• Acting as a house of review.

• Determining the government.

What is a role of the Senate Standing Committee for the Scrutiny of Bills?

• Initiating and debating money bills before they are introduced.

• Entering into deals with the states to create laws.

• Choosing the Prime Minister.

• Assessing bills to determine what effect they may have on individual rights.

What is the name of a bill introduced by a member of parliament who is not a minister?

• Private member’s bill

• Government bill

• Money bill

• Codifying bill

In the Victorian Parliament, the Legislative Assembly and the Legislative Council both have several roles in law-making. While many of them are different, they also have many of these roles in common.

Which of these roles is not a common role of the Legislative Assembly and the Legislative Council in law-making?

• Forming government.

• Acting as a house of review.

• Being a part of the Victorian Parliament.

• Initiating and passing bills.

Which one of these is not a role of the Crown in law-making?

• Withholding royal assent.

• Choosing the Prime Minister.

• Appointing the executive council.

• Granting royal assent.

Ahmad and Taylor are arguing about the powers in the Constitution. Ahmad claims that the powers in the Constitution that may be exercised by both the Commonwealth and one or more of the state parliaments are called the ‘concurrent powers’. Taylor disagrees and believes they are called ‘executive powers’.

Who is correct?

• Taylor is correct.

• Ahmad is correct.

True or false: Section 109 of the Australian Constitution provides that states shall not coin money (produce currency).

• False – that is stated in section 115 of the Australian Constitution.

• True – it is stated in section 109 of the Australian Constitution.

• False – that is stated in section 90 of the Australian Constitution.

• False – this is not outlined in the Australian Constitution at all.