New Practice Test 8: Role of the Governor-General, MPs, Senate, State and Territory Governments Questions

New Citizenship Practice Test 8 - 20 Questions & Answers

Question 1: What is the importance of the Governor-General's neutrality?

Answer: The Governor-General of Australia performs constitutional and ceremonial duties on behalf of the King as his representative. The King of Australia appoints the Governor-General on the advice of the Prime Minister, following the recommendations of the elected government. The Governor-General is independent of parliament, the government, and all political parties, acting impartially. He is neutral in discharging constitutional duties and responsibilities in a fair and just manner.

Question 2: How often can the Governor-General exercise the 'Reserve Powers'?

Answer: The reserve powers of the Governor-General are very special powers. The Governor-General uses these only during a constitutional crisis and in certain specific situations. The most important reserve powers of the Governor-General are: 1) the power to appoint a Prime Minister if there is no clear result in the federal elections; 2) the power to remove the Prime Minister if he loses the support of a majority in the House of Representatives; 3) the power to remove the Prime Minister or a Minister if they violate the law; and 4) the power to reject a request made by the Prime Minister to call elections.

Question 3: Who represents the Head of State?

Answer: The head of state of Australia is the king of that country. However, according to the Constitution, the Governor-General represents the king in Australia as part of the constitutional monarchy. Since the king does not live in Australia, his powers are delegated to the Governor-General under the Constitution. The Governor-General performs constitutional and ceremonial duties on behalf of the king. Independent of all political parties, the Governor-General acts impartially, discharges constitutional duties and responsibilities fairly and justly, and remains neutral.

Question 4: What is the role of the Governor-General?

Answer: The Governor-General of Australia performs constitutional and ceremonial duties on behalf of the King as his representative. The King of Australia appoints the Governor-General on the advice of the Prime Minister. This appointment is made in accordance with the recommendations of the elected government. The Governor-General is independent of parliament, the government, and all political parties and acts impartially. He is also neutral in discharging constitutional duties and responsibilities fairly and justly.

Question 5: Who represents the people in each federal electorate?

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. Each Member of Parliament represents the people living within the jurisdiction of an electorate and advocates for them in parliament. He also strongly raises their concerns in parliament while protecting the interests of the people in his electorate.

Question 6: Why is the number of MPs proportional to the population of each state or territory?

Answer: The number of Members of Parliament depends on the population of each state or mainland area in Australia. It is proportional to the number of people living in that area, ensuring equal representation for all Australians in the House of Representatives. However, the more populous areas do not have additional Members of Parliament because of their large number of constituencies.

Question 7: What is the purpose of debating proposals for new laws in Parliament?

Answer: Both members of Parliament and senators will participate in the debate on the proposals for the new laws in parliament. As part of this discussion, the laws in favour of the needs and interests of the Australian population will be thoroughly examined, discussed, and sanctified.

Question 8: What type of issues are discussed in the House of Representatives?

Answer: Each member of Parliament represents the people living in the electorate under his jurisdiction in the House of Representatives. Issues of national importance and policies required to safeguard the interests of the Australian people are discussed in this house. Legislative measures to address the complex issues affecting the whole of Australia are also discussed.

Question 9: How many senators are elected from the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory each?

Answer: A senator is a representative elected by the people of the Australian Parliament to represent the people of a state or territory. The Australian Senate consists of 76 senators, including four senators—two each from the two mainlands, the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory—and 72 senators from the six states, with 12 from each state.

Question 10: What is another term used for the Senate?

Answer: The Senate in Australia is also known as the 'House of Review'. This name fits perfectly because it reviews and comprehensively examines laws passed by the House of Representatives to protect the interests of the Australian people. Voters from each state in Australia elect senators as their representatives by voting in elections to represent them in the Senate. The Australian Senate consists of a total of 76 senators: 12 each elected from 6 states and 2 each from 2 mainland areas.

Question 11: What is the other House in the Australian Parliament besides the House of Representatives?

Answer: The Senate is the other house, in addition to the House of Representatives, in the Australian Parliament. It is sometimes called the Upper House, the House of Review, or the House of States. Voters from each state in Australia elect senators as their representatives through elections to represent them in the Senate. All states in Australia are equally represented in the Senate, regardless of their size or population. The Australian Senate consists of a total of 76 senators: 12 from each of the 6 states and 2 from each of the 2 mainland territories.

Question 12: Which house in the Australian Parliament is sometimes referred to as the States' House?

Answer: The Senate is sometimes called the States' House because it represents the states equally, providing a platform for state interests in the federal legislative process.

Question 13: What governance structure is common across all Australian states?

Answer: All six states in Australia have their own constitution and parliament. The parliaments of all states are based on the Westminster model system, and each state parliament is controlled by its own constitution. These parliaments enforce laws and regulate state-specific matters, operating independently of the federal parliament.

Question 14: What is the role of capital cities in state and territory governance?

Answer: The governments of each state and territory in Australia are set up only in their capital cities. The major towns in these capital cities serve as administrative centers where administrative activities and governance are concentrated. The states have special rights recognized by the Constitution, but the territories do not have such rights. States have the power to pass laws in their own right, but the Australian government can change or repeal self-governing territory laws at any time.

Question 15: How many mainland territories are there in Australia?

Answer: Australia has two mainland territories along with six states. They are: 1) the Australian Capital Territory and 2) the Northern Territory. The governments of these territories are established in their capital cities. The Chief Minister is the leader of the government in a territory. In the Northern Territory, the Governor-General appoints an administrator whose role and responsibilities are similar to those of the state governors. These territories do not have the special rights recognised by the Constitution, as the states do.

Question 16: What is the significance of having 12 senators from each state?

Answer: In the Australian Senate, all states, regardless of size or population, are represented by 12 people each. This implies equal representation of all states in the Senate. 'Section 7' of the Australian Constitution guarantees that all Australian states will have equal representation in the Senate. For example, Victoria and New South Wales are the wealthiest and most populous states, while Western Australia, Tasmania, South Australia, and Queensland are the least populous states, but all of them have equal representation in the Senate. This ensures all states have an equal voice in the Senate and prevents the unequal influence of large states over smaller states.

Question 17: How do the responsibilities of the Administrator of the Northern Territory compare to those of a state Governor?

Answer: The role of the administrator in the Northern Territory is similar to that of the governor of a state, as both represent the constitutional monarchy, acting as representatives of the King of Australia in their respective roles.

Question 18: What can the Australian Government do to laws in self-governing territories?

Answer: The Australian government has the power to amend and completely repeal the self-governing territory laws at any time.

Question 19: What is the primary role of representatives elected in state and territory elections?

Answer: The primary role of elected representatives in state and territorial elections is to represent the interests of the citizens of their region in the state or territorial parliament. They safeguard the interests of the people while participating in the legislative process. The state parliament, which convenes in the parliament house of a specific state, serves as the decision-making body of the state government.

Question 20: How does the Australian Constitution treat states and territories differently?

Answer: The Australian Constitution recognizes the rights of states within Australia. It grants states specific legislative powers and self-governance. States possess the authority to enact laws through their own rights. Additionally, they have their own constitutions and parliaments. They are represented equally in the Senate, regardless of size or population. However, the Constitution does not recognize the rights of territories. It provides limited self-governance for territories. The Australian government retains the power to amend or completely repeal self-governing territory laws at any time.