Citizenship Practice Test 15 | Australian Constitution, Referendum, Commonwealth Questions

Classic View of Practice Test 15 Questions and Answers

Question 1: When was the Australian Constitution originally passed?

Answer: The Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act 1900 is a legal document that lays down the basic rules relating to the Australian government. The Australian Constitution was drafted during two conventions in the 1890s. On July 9, 1900, the Royal Assent was obtained from Queen Victoria, approving it as part of an Act of the British Parliament. Australia established a legal framework for governance. The Australian Constitution is aptly described as the country's birth certificate. It is divided into 8 chapters and 128 parts.

Question 2: When did the Australian Constitution come into effect?

Answer: The Australian Constitution was drafted at two conventions in the 1890s and was passed by the people of the Australian colonies through a series of referendums held between 1898 and 1900. It received royal assent from Queen Victoria on July 9, 1900, and was passed as an Act of the British Parliament. The Australian Constitution is often described as the country's birth certificate. It is divided into 8 chapters and 128 sections. The Australian Constitution came into effect on January 1, 1901.

Question 3: What happened to the Australian colonies on January 1, 1901?

Answer: Britain established six different British self-governing colonies between 1788 and 1859. Each colony had its own constitution and laws. However, on January 1, 1901, the colonies united to form the 'Commonwealth of Australia' as an independent country within the British Empire, maintaining relations with Britain and governing themselves. Later, these six colonies also became six separate states.

Question 4: In which law was the Australian Constitution included?

Answer: The Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act 1900 is a legal document that establishes the basic rules for the Australian government. The Act received royal assent from Queen Victoria on July 9, 1900, and was incorporated into an Act of the British Parliament. The British government created a legal framework for the rule of Australia and outlined the authority it held over its colonies.

Question 5: What is the primary purpose of the Australian Constitution?

Answer: The Australian Constitution is divided into 8 chapters and 128 parts. It includes six basic principles: democracy, rule of law, separation of powers, federalism, nationalism, and rights balanced with responsibilities. It describes the structure of the government and the powers and responsibilities of various departments. Parliament makes laws, the executive branch implements them, and the justice department oversees their implementation. The division of powers is based on the principle that no single department should have all the powers.

Question 6: Which colonies came together as the Commonwealth of Australia?

Answer: Britain established six different British self-governing colonies between 1788 and 1859. They are: 1) New South Wales, 2) Victoria, 3) Queensland, 4) South Australia, 5) Tasmania, and 6) Western Australia. Each colony had its own constitution and laws. However, on January 1, 1901, the colonies united to form the 'Commonwealth of Australia', an independent country within the British Empire, to maintain relations with Britain and govern themselves. Later, these six colonies also emerged as six separate states.

Question 7: Which historical event is associated with the implementation of the Australian Constitution?

Answer: The Australian Constitution came into effect on January 1, 1901. It is a legal document that sets down the basic rules relating to the Government of Australia. The six British self-governing colonies established by Britain were united to form an independent country called the 'Commonwealth of Australia'. The unification of these colonies occurred for recognition as a separate country within the British Empire, allowing Britain to maintain relations with the country while enabling self-governance. Since then, the six colonies have emerged as six separate states.

Question 8: Which are the two houses of the Commonwealth of Australian Parliament?

Answer: The Australian Constitution established the Commonwealth of Australian Parliament. This Parliament consists of two Houses: 1) the House of Representatives and 2) the Senate.

House of Representatives: This House, also known as the Lower House and the House of the People, discusses and votes on proposals for new laws or changes to existing laws.

Senate: This House, also known as the Upper House, the House of Review, and the House of States, consists of a total of 76 senators. They consider, discuss, and vote on new laws or changes to laws.

Question 9: What does the Australian Constitution establish in relation to the judiciary?

Answer: The Australian Constitution established the High Court as part of an independent judiciary. The Australian High Court is the highest court of appeal in the Australian judicial system. It is located in Canberra, the capital city of Australia. It enforces original and appeal jurisdiction over matters specified in the Australian Constitution and the associated law. The Australian High Court has the ultimate authority to interpret and apply laws.

Question 10: What is the ultimate authority of the Australian High Court?

Answer: The Australian Constitution establishes the High Court in Australia, with respect to an independent judiciary. The Australian High Court is the highest court in the Australian judicial system. It is located in Canberra, the capital city of Australia. It enforces original and appellate jurisdiction over matters specified in the Australian Constitution and the associated laws. The Australian High Court has the ultimate authority to interpret the Australian Constitution and apply those laws.

Question 11: How can the Australian people change the Australian Constitution?

Answer: The Australian Constitution can be changed through a referendum. However, it can only be changed with the consent of the Australian people. Parliament must first approve the proposed change before Australians can vote in a referendum. A referendum is approved only if it receives a majority of votes in the majority of states, as well as a majority of votes across the country. This is called a double majority.

Question 12: What significant change took place in the 1967 referendum?

Answer: In 1967, a referendum was conducted in Australia to count Aboriginals as part of the census. Of these, 90.77% of Australians voted 'yes', expressing their support. This was one of the greatest milestones in Australia's history. It provided a significant opportunity to include primitive peoples in the census as an important step towards equality.

Question 13: What is a referendum?

Answer: A referendum is a democratic process of voting on specific issues or changes proposed to the Constitution. It is a national vote where Australians vote 'yes' or 'no' to the proposed change. A referendum is like an election; however, instead of electing members of Parliament, voters approve or reject the proposed change by writing 'yes' or 'no' and voting.

Question 14: Why was the 1967 referendum important to Aboriginal people?

Answer: The 1967 Referendum was a significant event in Australian history as it enabled the federal government to create laws for Aboriginal people and allowed Aboriginal people to be counted in the national Census. It marked a step forward in acknowledging Aboriginal rights and addressing inequalities.

Question 15: What is needed to change the Australian Constitution in a referendum?

Answer: In order to make changes to the constitution through a referendum in Australia, citizens over the age of 18 or older in Australia must participate in the referendum and vote 'yes' or 'no'. However, it requires a 'double majority' for this referendum to be approved. A double majority means a majority of voters in a majority of states and a majority of voters across the country will have to vote 'yes' in favour of that change proposal. Only then will the referendum be passed and changes to the constitution will take place.

Question 16: Which two majorities are required for a constitutional change?

Answer: A referendum is a democratic process that conveys the will of the people on a relevant change. In Australia, if the constitution is to be amended by a referendum, it requires two kinds of majorities: 1) a majority of voters in a majority of states, and 2) a majority of voters across the country voting 'yes' in favour of approving the change. This is called a double majority. The proposal is accepted if it achieves a double majority. If a majority votes against the change, the proposal is rejected.

Question 17: What happens if only a national majority is achieved in an Australian referendum?

Answer: A proposed change to the constitution in the Australian referendum must achieve a double majority to be passed. This means that a majority of voters in the majority of states and a majority of voters across the country must vote 'yes' in favour of the proposal. On the contrary, the proposal will be rejected if a majority of votes across the country are secured in favour, but the majority of voters in the majority of states vote 'no' against it.

Question 18: Who is part of the executive branch of the Government of Australia?

Answer: The executive branch of the Government of Australia consists of the Prime Minister, the ministers of the Government of Australia, and the Governor-General. Ministers are responsible for various government departments. This executive branch is responsible for putting government laws into practice and enforcing them. Additionally, it is responsible for the following aspects: 1) maintaining day-to-day administration, 2) proposing laws required by Parliament, and 3) deciding government policy and how to implement it.

Question 19: Why does the Australian Constitution divide power between different branches of government?

Answer: The separation of powers in the Australian Constitution is based on the principle that no single branch should have all the powers. That is to say, they are divided between different departments of government so that no single person or group has all kinds of powers. This resulted in a division of powers to prevent another department from interfering in the powers of one department and to achieve a balance between the powers of the various departments. Parliament makes laws, the executive branch implements them and the justice department oversees their implementation.

Question 20: What is one of the key purposes of the Australian Constitution?

Answer: One of the main purposes of the Australian Constitution is to divide powers between different departments. The separation of powers in the Australian Constitution is based on the principle that no department should hold all the powers. That is to say, powers are divided between different departments of government so that no single person or group holds all types of powers. This results in a division of powers to prevent one department from interfering with another and to achieve a balance between the powers of various departments.