Australian Parliament Quiz Infosheet 18 - Double dissolution

What is a double dissolution in the context of the Australian Parliament?

• The process by which both the Senate and the House of Representatives are dissolved simultaneously.

• The action of dissolving the Senate only.

• The action of dissolving the House of Representatives only.

• The process by which the Prime Minister is removed from office.

Under which section of the Constitution can a double dissolution take place?

• Section 57

• Section 45

• Section 34

• Section 72

How long can the House of Representatives last after an election before it must be dissolved or expires?

• No more than three years

• Exactly four years

• Up to five years

• A maximum of six years

When was the only House of Representatives dissolved before the three-year maximum had been usual?

• In 1910

• In 1901

• In 1945

• In 2000

What is the fixed term for which Senators are elected?

• For a fixed period of four years

• For a fixed period of six years

• For a fixed period of five years

• For a fixed period of seven years

What is a double dissolution?

• The process where only the House of Representatives is dissolved.

• The dissolution of both the House of Representatives and the Senate simultaneously.

• The act of dissolving the Senate alone.

• A procedure to dissolve the Governor-General's office.

Under what circumstances can a double dissolution occur?

• When there is a disagreement between the Houses over legislation.

• When the Senate and House of Representatives agree on all proposed laws.

• When the Governor-General decides to dissolve the Senate only.

• When the House of Representatives expires after a full term.

What is the purpose of the double dissolution mechanism according to the Constitution?

• To extend the term of the current government.

• To allow for a change in the composition of the Senate only.

• To provide a means of breaking a deadlock between the Houses when compromise is not achieved.

• To dissolve the government and call for international intervention.

What can happen after a double dissolution and elections for both Houses?

• The Governor-General may convene a joint sitting of the Senate and the House of Representatives.

• The Senate is automatically dissolved permanently.

• The House of Representatives is dissolved again.

• The Governor-General loses the power to dissolve the Houses.

What is the purpose of a joint sitting of the Senate and the House of Representatives after a double dissolution?

• To elect a new Governor-General.

• To resolve the matter because the House of Representatives has approximately twice the number of members as the Senate.

• To celebrate the resolution of the disagreement.

• To initiate another round of elections.