4.1.05 Factors that affect the ability of parliament to make law

A situation where the government holds a majority in the upper house of the Commonwealth Parliament is known as a:

• Hostile Senate
• Minority government.
• Situation in which the upper house can act as a rubber stamp.
• Majority government.

Following a recent Victorian election, one of the major parties won 40 seats, the other major party won 39 seats, and 9 seats were won by independents or minor parties. What statement best describes this situation?

• This is a majority government because one of the parties has won the majority of seats.
• This is a hung parliament because no party has won a majority of seats.
• This is not possible – the lower house has 40 seats only.
• This is a minority government because one of the parties won more seats than the other but only in a minor way.

What is considered to be one of the upsides or advantages of a government having a majority in both houses?

• There are no upsides – a majority in both houses is a weakness as it does not allow for proper debate.
• It allows the government to introduce bills that are part of its mandate/legislative program.
• Bills may not be adequately debated.
• It means that the government will need to negotiate with crossbenchers in the lower house to get its bills passed.

In October 2019 Adam Bandt MP, a member of the Australian Greens, introduced a bill to change the law to allow young people aged 16 and 17 the right to vote. This is known as a private member’s bill. Why is it that bills such as these are unlikely to pass?

• The bills will only need the support of the opposition to pass.
• There will be political pressures preventing the bill from passing.
• These bills are likely to pass as they supported by the public.
• They generally do not have the support of the government.

The parliamentary law-making process is often seen as slow and cumbersome. Which reasons make this the case?

• Parliament only sits for a limited number of days each year.
• All options are correct.
• There is sometimes extensive debating of the bill.
• The processes the bill has to go through can take a long time.

‘A political system in which the people elect members of parliament to represent them in government.’ Which legal term matches the above definition?

• Representative government
• Parliamentary committees
• Majority government
• Responsible government

Sometimes governments have introduced popular laws to win votes rather than introducing more necessary or practical laws. What is an example of these types of laws?

• Laws which are ‘softer on crime’.
• Laws which are ‘tough on crime’.
• Laws which increase taxes.
• Laws which change the processes relating to discovery in civil trials.

At the federal level, elections are held every three years. There has been popular support to change this to terms of four years. To implement this change:

• A referendum would be required.
• The government would have to pass legislation.
• The government would have to pass a regulation only.
• The courts would need to declare this as appropriate.

Which of the following is a type of domestic political pressure?

• The opposition introducing a private member’s bill to generate discussion
• A member of parliament pressuring its own party to pass legislation in relation to the use of plastic bags.
• The United Nations issuing a report on Australia’s treatment of asylum seekers.
• The unions putting pressure on the Federal Government to pass legislation to allow for special sick leave for people isolating due to COVID-19

How can international political pressures affect the ability of parliament to make laws?

• Australia may be under pressure from another country not to pass certain laws.
• A global event such as a pandemic may place pressure on the government to pass tax laws.
• An international organisation can place pressure on government to act in the interests of other countries.
• All options are correct.