Citizenship Practice Test 18 – 20 Questions and Answers

Classic View of Citizenship Practice Test 18 Questions and Answers

Question 1: Who is a government minister, and what is their role?

Answer: A member of Parliament selected by the leader of the government to be responsible for the public sector is called a government minister. The leader of the government entrusts the minister to manage a particular department or portfolio, such as the Department of Health, the Department of Environment, the Department of Defence, the Ministry of External Affairs, the Department of Commerce, the Department of Education, or the Ministry of Home Affairs. It is their responsibility to implement government policies, protect the interests of the people, and make decisions at the national level.

Question 2: Who is a Member of Parliament (MP)?

Answer: As part of elections in Australia, citizens over the age of 18 in their respective electorates vote to elect their representatives to parliament. Members of Parliament represent the interests of the people living within their electorates in parliament. People can also consult their Members of Parliament to explain problems and raise concerns. Members of Parliament participate in legislative processes and debates to make laws and policies.

Question 3: What is the role of a Senator?

Answer: A senator is a representative elected by the people of the Australian Parliament to represent the people of a state or a territory. The Australian Senate consists of 76 senators. They represent the interests of the people in parliament, consider, discuss, and vote on proposals related to new laws or changes in laws. Topics of national importance are discussed, and they review and vote on the laws so the needs and concerns of the people of their region are considered in the national decision-making process.

Question 4: Who heads the local government?

Answer: The local government in Australia is headed by a mayor or the president of a shire. Local governments in Australia are established by state governments to meet the needs of the local community or city. They are often called councils, municipalities, or shires. Local governments consist of elected members who work together with councillors to represent the community in official duties.

Question 5: Who is a councillor? What is their role?

Answer: The elected members of the local council in Australia are called councillors. They are elected to represent the interests of their local community. They make decisions on local issues such as planning, infrastructure, and community services, working to improve the living standards of the people there.

Question 6: What is another name for the Australian Government?

Answer: The Australian government is also known by the names federal government or Commonwealth government. This government works at the national level and governs the entire country. The federal government is part of parliamentary democracy, where people elect their representatives to represent them in parliament. The Prime Minister, who heads the cabinet, is the head of government. The three branches of government are legislative, executive, and judiciary. These are often described as the 'three hands of government'.

Question 7: How many houses are there in the Australian Parliament?

Answer: The Australian Parliament consists of Two types of assemblies. Both these Houses play a very important role in the legislative process. They are:

• A) House of Representatives: This House is also known as the Lower House or the People's House. The elected members of this House represent the people within their electorate. The House has more than 150 members.
• B) Senate: The people of the states and mainland areas of Australia elect their representatives to represent themselves in Parliament. There are a total of 76 members in the Senate.

Question 8: Who elects the members of the House of Representatives?

Answer: Australia is divided into 'electorates' for federal elections. These are also known as electoral divisions or seats. Australian citizens who have completed 18 years elect members of the House of Representatives by casting their vote. Each Member of Parliament represents them in parliament as a representative of the people within each electoral division.

Question 9: Who elects the senators?

Answer: During the federal election, senators are elected by Australian citizens over the age of 18. The proportion of seats won by each party in each state or territory is determined in a proportional representational manner, closely reflecting the proportion of votes won by that party in that state or territory. A senator is a representative elected by the people of the Australian Parliament to represent a state or territory. They participate in legislative processes and debates to formulate laws and policies. There are a total of 76 senators in the Senate, and their term of office is six years.

Question 10: Who do Australians vote for in federal elections?

Answer: In federal elections, Australian citizens vote to elect their representatives for both the House of Representatives and the Senate in parliament. The elected representatives form a federal government and represent the interests of the Australian people. In parliament, they prioritize the will of the people in formulating government policies, laws, and national decisions.

Question 11: What is another name for the House of Representatives?

Answer: The House of Representatives in the Australian Parliament is often referred to as the 'People's House' because the Members of Parliament in this House are elected by the people as their representatives. This House reflects its role in representing the people of Australia. It is also known as the Lower House. The structure and powers of this House are set out in Chapter I of the Constitution of Australia.

Question 12: How is Australia divided for parliamentary representation in the House of Representatives?

Answer: Australia is divided into federal electorates for federal elections. These are also known as electoral divisions or seats. Electorates are geographical areas represented by members of parliament. The people living within each electorate elect their representatives by voting for them to represent them in the House of Representatives.

Question 13: What is the primary role of a Member of Parliament (MP)?

Answer: Every member of parliament in Australia represents the people living within their electorate and advocates for them in the House of Representatives while protecting their interests. The people of the constituency they represent can contact them to express their problems, suggest ideas for a better society, or raise concerns. The Member of Parliament then ensures these issues are strongly voiced in the House of Representatives and participates in the legislative process.

Question 14: What determines the number of MPs for each state and territory?

Answer: The number of Members of Parliament in Australia depends on the population of each state or mainland territory. The number of Members of Parliament in an area is proportional to its population; in areas with a higher population, the number of Members of Parliament is greater, while in less populous areas, the number of Members of Parliament is smaller.

Question 15: What is the total number of members elected to the House of Representatives?

Answer: Australia is divided into 'electorates' in connection with federal elections, also known as electoral divisions or seats. Australian citizens who have completed 18 years of age elect members of the House of Representatives by casting their vote. The elected members represent the people within their electorate. In the 2022 federal elections, a total of 151 members were elected to the House of Representatives. Their tenure is 3 years.

Question 16: What do Members of Parliament and senators debate in the Australian Parliament?

Answer: Both members of parliament and senators in the Australian parliament will hold discussions on proposals related to new laws. Considering the proposals for new laws or changes to existing laws, and discussing them thoroughly, helps address any deficiencies and make them work more effectively.

Question 17: What is one of the primary roles of the House of Representatives?

Answer: The House of Representatives is also known as the Lower House or the People's House. Each member of parliament represents the people living within their electorate and speaks on their behalf in parliament. The House of Representatives plays a very important role in the legislative process by considering proposals for changes and amendments to new or existing laws, discussing them thoroughly, and voting on them.

Question 18: Who participates in discussions on matters of national importance?

Answer: Both members of Parliament and senators participate in discussions in Parliament on issues of national importance. Discussions are also held on proposals related to new laws. They are involved in considering proposals for new laws or changes to existing laws, discussing them thoroughly and voting on them.

Question 19: What happens after a proposal for a new law is debated in the House of Representatives?

Answer: Members of Parliament in the House of Representatives consider proposals related to new laws. After that, they are discussed in-depth and thoroughly without harming the interests of the Australian people. Finally, voting is held to determine whether the proposals will proceed in the legislative process or not.

Question 20: Who is involved in the legislative process in the Australian Parliament?

Answer: Both members of parliament and senators in the Australian Parliament will hold discussions on proposals related to the new laws. The main role of the House of Representatives is to consider proposals relating to new laws or changes in existing laws, discuss them thoroughly, hold a vote on them, and discuss matters of national importance.