Our Common Bond
Part 3 of Our Common Bond: government and the law in Australia
Start with ten Part 3 questions. Every question in this part, with its answer, is listed under the summary for quick checking.
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Practice questions adapted by Radif Partners from Our Common Bond. Not the official test questions.
Questions adapted from Australian Citizenship: Our Common Bond, © Commonwealth of Australia, CC BY 4.0, by Radif Partners.
Part 3 of Our Common Bond, pages 23 to 32, explains the third promise of the pledge: to uphold and obey the laws of Australia. It covers how citizens have their say (compulsory voting from 18, secret ballot, the independent Australian Electoral Commission), why the colonies federated on 1 January 1901, what the Constitution set up and how a referendum changes it by double majority, and how power is split between Parliament, the executive and the judges. It names Australia's leaders from the King and Governor-General to mayors, describes the House of Representatives (over 150 members) and the Senate (76 senators), states and territories, local councils and who provides which services. It ends with how laws are made and enforced: courts, juries, police, criminal and traffic offences. It is the part with the most numbers and titles; our bank holds 64 practice questions on it.
1.On what date did the colonies unite as the Commonwealth of Australia?
- · 26 January 1788
- ✓ 1 January 1901
- · 9 May 1927
- · 25 April 1915
The Australian Constitution took effect on 1 January 1901, and the six colonies joined to form a single independent nation called the Commonwealth of Australia. The national parliament, government and High Court were set up at that time.
Where to check: Part 3: The Australian Constitution
2.How many senators does each state elect?
- · 2
- · 6
- ✓ 12
- · 76
Every state has equal representation in the Senate, regardless of its size or population. Each state elects 12 senators, while the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory elect two each, for a total of 76 senators.
Where to check: Part 3: The Senate
3.Who signs a Bill to make it law (Royal Assent)?
- · The Prime Minister
- · The Chief Justice
- ✓ The Governor-General
- · The Speaker
A proposed law, called a Bill, must be agreed by a majority in both Houses of Parliament. It then goes to the Governor-General, whose signature, known as Royal Assent, turns the Bill into law.
Where to check: Part 3: How are laws made?
4.Which level of government is mainly responsible for hospitals and schools?
- · Local councils
- ✓ State and territory governments
- · The Australian Government
- · The High Court
State and territory governments mainly look after schools, hospitals and health services, roads and railways, forestry, police, ambulance services and public transport. Other services are the job of the Australian Government or local councils.
Where to check: Part 3: What do the three levels of government do?
5.Which agency conducts federal elections and referendums and maintains the Commonwealth electoral roll?
- · The Australian Taxation Office
- · The High Court
- · The Department of the Prime Minister
- ✓ The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC)
The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) is an agency of the Commonwealth that conducts federal elections and referendums and maintains the electoral roll. It is independent, so neither political parties nor people in government can influence its decisions.
Where to check: Part 3: How do I have my say?
6.Australian elections use a secret ballot. What does this mean?
- ✓ Nobody is entitled to know how you voted unless you decide to tell them
- · Votes are counted in secret by the government
- · Only some people are told about the election
- · Candidates are kept secret until election day
Because Australia votes by secret ballot, voters can choose any candidate freely and safely. Nobody is entitled to know how you voted, unless you decide to tell them yourself.
Where to check: Part 3: How do I have my say?
7.Before 1901, how was Australia made up?
- · One British colony
- ✓ Six separate, self-governing British colonies
- · Eight independent nations
- · Two large colonies, east and west
Between British settlement and 1901, Australia consisted of six separate British colonies that governed themselves, each with its own constitution and its own laws on defence, immigration, postage, trade and transport. This caused difficulties between them.
Where to check: Part 3: Federation
8.Which court did the Australian Constitution establish, with the final power to apply and interpret Australia's laws?
- · The Federal Magistrates Court
- · The Supreme Court of New South Wales
- ✓ The High Court of Australia
- · The Privy Council
The Australian Constitution created the Parliament of the Commonwealth, with two houses: the House of Representatives and the Senate. It also created the High Court of Australia, which holds the final power to apply and interpret Australia's laws.
Where to check: Part 3: The Australian Constitution
9.What is needed in a referendum for the Australian Constitution to be changed?
- · The agreement of the Prime Minister alone
- · A two-thirds vote in the Senate only
- · A majority of voters in New South Wales
- ✓ A 'double majority': most voters nationally and most voters in a majority of the states
A referendum needs a 'double majority'. Most voters across the whole country must support the change, and most voters in a majority of the states must support it as well.
Where to check: Part 3: The Australian Constitution
10.Why does the Australian Constitution divide the power of government into legislative, executive and judicial powers?
- ✓ To stop one person or group from holding all the power
- · To make government faster
- · To give the King more control
- · To allow the states to ignore federal law
The Constitution divides government power between the legislative (Parliament), the executive (such as the Prime Minister and Cabinet) and the judicial (judges). This separation prevents any one person or group from holding all the power.
Where to check: Part 3: How is the power of government controlled?
11.On whose advice does the King of Australia appoint the Governor-General?
- · The Chief Justice
- ✓ The Australian Prime Minister
- · The Premier of New South Wales
- · The British Parliament
The Governor-General is appointed by the King of Australia to represent him in Australia, on the advice of the Australian Prime Minister. The Governor-General stays independent of every political party and must remain neutral.
Where to check: Part 3: Who is Australia's Head of State?
12.Who represents the King in each Australian state?
- · The Premier
- · The Lord Mayor
- ✓ A Governor
- · A senator
Each of the six states has a Governor who represents the King, much as the Governor-General does for the nation as a whole. The King takes no part in the everyday running of government.
Where to check: Part 3: Who is Australia's Head of State?
13.Which of these is part of the Governor-General's role?
- · Leading the largest political party
- · Deciding court cases
- · Collecting taxes
- ✓ Being Commander-in-Chief of the ADF (Australian Defence Force)
The Governor-General must remain neutral and does not belong to the government. The role includes signing Bills into law, ceremonial duties, approving the appointment of ministers and federal judges, triggering a federal election and serving as Commander-in-Chief of the ADF.
Where to check: Part 3: The role of the Governor-General
14.What is the title of the leader of a state government?
- ✓ Premier
- · Governor
- · Chief Minister
- · Mayor
A state government is led by the Premier. A territory government is led by the Chief Minister, and a local government is led by a Mayor or Shire President.
Where to check: Part 3: Who are some of Australia's leaders?
15.Which is another name for the Senate?
- · The People's House
- ✓ The States' House
- · The Lower House
- · The Governor's House
The Senate is also known as the Upper House, the States' House or the House of Review. The House of Representatives, by contrast, is known as the People's House, or simply the Lower House.
Where to check: Part 3: The Senate
16.What is a key difference between Australian states and self-governing territories?
- · Territories have no elections
- · States have no parliaments
- ✓ The Australian Government can change or overturn territory laws whenever it chooses
- · Territories are ruled by the King directly
The Constitution recognises rights for the states but not for the territories. States make laws in their own right, whereas the Australian Government can change or overturn laws made by self-governing territories whenever it chooses.
Where to check: Part 3: State and territory government
17.Which level of government is responsible for immigration and citizenship?
- · State governments
- · Local councils
- · Territory governments
- ✓ The Australian Government
The Australian Government is responsible for matters including taxation, immigration and citizenship, defence, foreign affairs, social security, postal services, trade, and airports and air safety. States and local councils deal with other services.
Where to check: Part 3: What do the three levels of government do?
18.After a federal election, who generally forms the Australian Government?
- ✓ The party or coalition with the majority of members in the House of Representatives
- · The party with the most senators
- · The party chosen by the Governor-General personally
- · The party with the oldest leader
After a federal election, the government is usually formed by whichever party or coalition holds most of the seats in the House of Representatives. The leader of that party becomes Prime Minister.
Where to check: Part 3: How is the Australian Government formed?
19.Who forms the Opposition after a federal election?
- · All independent members
- ✓ The party or coalition holding the second highest number of seats in the House of Representatives
- · The Senate as a whole
- · Members chosen by the High Court
The Opposition is the party or coalition that wins the second highest number of seats in the House of Representatives. Its leader is known as the Leader of the Opposition.
Where to check: Part 3: How is the Australian Government formed?
20.When a member of parliament proposes a new law or a change to an existing one, what is the proposal called?
- · A Royal Assent
- · A writ
- ✓ A Bill
- · A portfolio
A Bill is a proposal for a new law or for a change to a current law. Both Houses of Parliament consider, debate and vote on it, and if each agrees by a majority, it goes to the Governor-General for Royal Assent.
Where to check: Part 3: How are laws made?
21.The government appoints judges and magistrates. Can it remove them because it disagrees with their decisions?
- · Yes, at any time
- · Yes, but only before elections
- · Only if the Prime Minister agrees
- ✓ No, they are independent
Judges and magistrates are the top authority in a courtroom. They are independent, and nobody can instruct them on what to decide. Although the government appoints them, it cannot dismiss them for making decisions it does not like.
Where to check: Part 3: Judges and magistrates
22.In Australia's court system, how is a person treated unless and until a court finds them guilty?
- ✓ As innocent
- · As guilty
- · As a suspect without rights
- · As a prisoner
Australian courts treat people as innocent until a court has found them guilty. Everyone also has the right to a lawyer to represent them in court.
Where to check: Part 3: Juries
23.In a criminal trial, who decides the penalty once a jury has found a person guilty?
- · The jury
- ✓ The judge
- · The police
- · The victim
A jury is a group of ordinary citizens chosen at random from the population. The judge explains the relevant law to the jurors, the jury decides whether the person is innocent or guilty, and in a criminal trial the judge then sets the penalty.
Where to check: Part 3: Juries
24.Besides investigating crimes against federal laws, the Australian Federal Police is responsible for general police work in which place?
- · Tasmania
- · The Northern Territory
- ✓ The Australian Capital Territory
- · Queensland
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) investigates crimes against federal laws, such as drug trafficking and crimes against national security or the environment. It also does ordinary policing in the Australian Capital Territory.
Where to check: Part 3: The police
25.In Australia, is it a crime simply to offer a bribe to a police officer?
- · No, only accepting a bribe is a crime
- · Only if the amount is large
- · Only if the officer accepts
- ✓ Yes, even offering a bribe is a crime
Bribing the police is a serious crime in Australia, and even offering a police officer a bribe is a crime. The police are independent of government and have a good relationship with the community.
Where to check: Part 3: The police
26.Can you still be charged for breaking an Australian law you were unaware of?
- ✓ Yes, not knowing the law is no excuse
- · No, newcomers are always excused
- · Only if you are a citizen
- · Only for traffic offences
It is important to be familiar with the laws of Australia. If you break a law you did not know about, you could still be charged, because not knowing the law is no excuse.
Where to check: Part 3: Criminal offences in Australia
27.Which of these can be a form of domestic and family violence?
- · Disagreeing politely about a decision
- ✓ Cutting a family member off from their friends and family
- · Sharing household chores
- · Taking a family holiday
Domestic and family violence covers behaviour or threats meant to control a partner by making them afraid or putting their safety at risk. Examples include hitting, cutting a family member off from their friends and family, or making threats against pets or children. It is against the law.
Where to check: Part 3: Criminal offences in Australia
28.Who must wear a seatbelt when travelling in a car in Australia?
- · Only the driver
- · Only passengers in the front
- ✓ Everybody travelling in the car
- · Only children
Everyone in a car in Australia must wear a seatbelt, and babies and young children must travel in an approved child car seat. State and territory governments set the road rules, and breaking them can lead to fines or prison.
Where to check: Part 3: Traffic offences
29.Is it legal in Australia to drive while using a hand-held mobile device?
- · Yes, at any time
- · Yes, if driving slowly
- · Yes, on country roads
- ✓ No, it is against the law
Australia's traffic laws are very strict. Using a hand-held mobile device while driving is illegal, and so is driving after taking drugs or with a blood alcohol level above the limit.
Where to check: Part 3: Traffic offences
30.What do you need in order to drive a car in Australia?
- ✓ A local driver's licence and a registered car
- · Only a passport
- · Only a foreign licence held for ten years
- · Permission from a neighbour
To drive in Australia you need a driver's licence issued locally, and the vehicle must be registered. State and territory governments control the road and traffic rules, and people who break them can be fined or sent to prison.
Where to check: Part 3: Traffic offences
31.Before Federation, which problem did the separate colonies face?
- · They all shared a single parliament
- · They had no laws of their own
- · They used one national police force
- ✓ Trade and transport between them were slow and expensive
Each colony made its own laws on matters such as trade, transport and defence. Moving goods across colonial borders was costly and slow, enforcing the law across borders was hard and defence was weak.
Where to check: Part 3: Federation
32.Besides practical problems, what else encouraged people to unite the colonies?
- ✓ A growing Australian identity, seen in sport and culture
- · An order from London to merge them
- · A war between two of the colonies
- · The result of the 1967 Referendum
Before 1901, teams were already representing Australia abroad, and songs, poems, stories and art were giving shape to an Australian culture. That shared identity helped turn the idea of one nation into reality.
Where to check: Part 3: Federation
33.What is the Australian Constitution?
- ✓ The legal document laying down the basic rules for governing Australia
- · A list of the national symbols
- · The pledge read at citizenship ceremonies
- · A guide to local council services
The Constitution, formally the Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act 1900, lays down the basic rules by which Australia is governed.
Where to check: Part 3: The Australian Constitution
34.How was the Australian Constitution first passed?
- · By a referendum held in 1967
- ✓ Within an Act of the British Parliament in 1900
- · By the High Court in 1901
- · By the colony of New South Wales alone in 1788
The Constitution began as part of an Act of the British Parliament in 1900 and took effect on 1 January 1901, when the colonies became one nation.
Where to check: Part 3: The Australian Constitution
35.Which two Houses make up the Parliament established by the Constitution?
- · The Senate and the High Court
- · The Cabinet and the Opposition
- ✓ The House of Representatives and the Senate
- · The Legislative Council and the local councils
The Constitution created a federal Parliament with two Houses, the House of Representatives and the Senate. It also created the High Court.
Where to check: Part 3: The Australian Constitution
36.How can the Australian people change the Constitution?
- · By writing to the Governor-General
- · By a decision of the Prime Minister
- · By a vote of local councils
- ✓ By voting in a referendum
Only the people can change the Constitution, through a referendum. The change needs a double majority: most voters nationally and most voters in a majority of states.
Where to check: Part 3: The Australian Constitution
37.In the 1967 Referendum, roughly what share of Australians voted 'Yes'?
- ✓ More than 90 per cent
- · About 50 per cent
- · About 60 per cent
- · About 75 per cent
The 1967 Referendum is given as an example of the people changing the Constitution: over 90 per cent voted Yes so that Aboriginal peoples would be counted in the Census.
Where to check: Part 3: The Australian Constitution
38.Which three powers of government are set out in the Constitution?
- · Federal, state and local
- ✓ Legislative, executive and judicial
- · Military, police and religious
- · Electoral, financial and diplomatic
The Constitution separates the power to make laws (Parliament), to put them into practice (the executive) and to interpret and apply them (judges). Federal, state and local are the three levels of government, a different idea.
Where to check: Part 3: How is the power of government controlled?
39.How does the glossary of Our Common Bond describe the Constitution?
- · As guidelines the government may ignore
- · As a law for New South Wales only
- ✓ As the supreme law of Australia, which the government must follow
- · As a record of election results
The glossary calls the Constitution Australia's supreme law. Governments are bound by it, and it divides power into legislative, executive and judicial.
Where to check: Glossary of the testable section
40.How many senators are there in total?
- · 150
- · 12
- · 52
- ✓ 76
Each of the six states elects 12 senators and the two mainland territories elect 2 each, which gives 76. The House of Representatives has over 150 members.
Where to check: Part 3: The Senate
41.How many senators do the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory each elect?
- ✓ Two
- · Twelve
- · One
- · Six
The states elect 12 senators each, whatever their population, while the ACT and the Northern Territory elect 2 each.
Where to check: Part 3: The Senate
42.Which is another name for the House of Representatives?
- · The States' House
- ✓ The People's House
- · The House of Review
- · The Upper House
The House of Representatives is known as the People's House or the Lower House. The Senate is the Upper House, the States' House or the House of Review.
Where to check: Part 3: The House of Representatives
43.What decides how many members each state or territory has in the House of Representatives?
- · Its land area
- · How long ago it became a colony
- ✓ The number of people who live there
- · Nothing: each has the same number
Seats in the House of Representatives follow population, so states with more people have more members. In the Senate, by contrast, every state has the same number.
Where to check: Part 3: The House of Representatives
44.What can happen to a person who fails to vote and has no good reason?
- · You lose your citizenship
- · You are sent to prison straight away
- · Nothing happens
- ✓ You may have to pay a fine
Voting is compulsory, and a person who fails to vote without a good reason may be fined. Compulsory voting makes sure the people have a say in who governs them.
Where to check: Part 3: How do I have my say?
45.What happens to a Bill once a majority in each House of Parliament has agreed to it?
- ✓ It goes to the Governor-General, who signs it into law
- · It goes to a referendum
- · It goes to the High Court for approval
- · It goes to the states for a vote
After both Houses pass a Bill, the Governor-General signs it. That signature is called Royal Assent and makes the Bill a law.
Where to check: Part 3: How are laws made?
46.Which level of government is responsible for rubbish collection?
- · State and territory governments
- ✓ Local government
- · The Australian Government
Councils look after local services such as rubbish collection, local roads and footpaths, parks, libraries and building permits.
Where to check: Part 3: What do the three levels of government do?
47.Which level of government is responsible for defence?
- · State and territory governments
- · Local government
- ✓ The Australian Government
Defence is a federal matter, along with taxation, immigration and citizenship, foreign affairs, trade and social security.
Where to check: Part 3: What do the three levels of government do?
48.Which level of government is mainly responsible for police and ambulance services?
- · The Australian Government
- · Local government
- ✓ State and territory governments
States and territories mainly run police and ambulance services, hospitals, schools, roads and railways, forestry and public transport.
Where to check: Part 3: What do the three levels of government do?
49.Which level of government issues building permits?
- ✓ Local government
- · The Australian Government
- · State and territory governments
Building permits are handled by local councils, together with services such as street signs, drains, animal control and community centres.
Where to check: Part 3: What do the three levels of government do?
50.Which level of government handles foreign affairs, meaning relations with other countries?
- · Local government
- ✓ The Australian Government
- · State and territory governments
Relations with other countries belong to the Australian Government, as do airports and air safety, postal services and the communications network.
Where to check: Part 3: What do the three levels of government do?
51.Which level of government looks after local parks, playgrounds and swimming pools?
- · State and territory governments
- · The Australian Government
- ✓ Local government
Parks, playgrounds, pools and sports grounds are council responsibilities, as are camping grounds and caravan parks.
Where to check: Part 3: What do the three levels of government do?
52.What is the leader of a local government called?
- · A Premier
- · A Chief Minister
- · A Governor
- ✓ A Mayor or Shire President
A council is led by a Mayor or Shire President and its elected members are councillors. Premiers lead states and Chief Ministers lead territories.
Where to check: Part 3: Who are some of Australia's leaders?
53.What are the three levels of government in Australia?
- · Legislative, executive and judicial
- · King, Governor-General and Prime Minister
- · Senate, House of Representatives and Cabinet
- ✓ Federal, state or territory, and local
Australia has a national (federal) government, six state and two territory governments, and local councils. Each level generally provides different services, with some overlap.
Where to check: Part 3: How is Australia governed?
54.What can local government areas be called?
- · Electorates
- ✓ Cities, shires, towns or municipalities
- · Colonies
- · Portfolios
Local government areas cover the states and the Northern Territory. Each has its own council, elected by local citizens, which plans and delivers local services.
Where to check: Part 3: Local government
55.In the Northern Territory, who has a role similar to a state Governor?
- · The Chief Justice
- · The Mayor of Darwin
- · A senator chosen by the Senate
- ✓ An Administrator appointed by the Governor-General
Each state has a Governor representing the King. In the Northern Territory that role is filled by an Administrator, whom the Governor-General appoints.
Where to check: Part 3: State and territory government
56.Who is Australia's Head of State?
- ✓ The monarch, the King of Australia
- · The Prime Minister
- · The Governor-General
- · The Chief Justice of the High Court
The King of Australia is Head of State. Because the King lives outside Australia, his powers are passed to the Governor-General, his representative here.
Where to check: Part 3: Who is Australia's Head of State?
57.What is the leader of a territory government called?
- ✓ Chief Minister
- · Premier
- · Governor
- · Mayor
Territory governments are led by a Chief Minister, state governments by a Premier and the Australian Government by the Prime Minister.
Where to check: Part 3: Who are some of Australia's leaders?
58.Who formally approves the appointments of the Prime Minister and ministers?
- · The Chief Justice
- ✓ The Governor-General
- · The Senate
- · The Australian Electoral Commission
The Prime Minister recommends members of parliament to become ministers, and the Governor-General approves the appointments of the Prime Minister and the ministers.
Where to check: Part 3: How is the Australian Government formed?
59.What is the Cabinet?
- · All members of the Senate
- · The judges of the High Court
- ✓ The ministers with the most important portfolios, the key decision-making body of government
- · The leaders of the Opposition
Each minister is responsible for an area called a portfolio. The ministers holding the most important portfolios form the Cabinet, where the main government decisions are made.
Where to check: Part 3: How is the Australian Government formed?
60.What does it mean that Australia is a constitutional monarchy?
- · The King makes all of Australia's laws
- · The Prime Minister is also the monarch
- · The King can change the Constitution alone
- ✓ The King is Head of State but must act in line with the Constitution
In a constitutional monarchy the monarch's powers are limited by the Constitution. In Australia those powers are delegated to the Governor-General, and the government is led by the Prime Minister.
Where to check: Part 3: Constitutional monarchy
61.Is the Governor-General part of the government?
- ✓ No, the Governor-General must remain neutral
- · Yes, as a senior minister
- · Yes, as leader of the largest party
The Governor-General represents the King, acts independently of all political parties and is not part of the government, even though the role includes signing Bills into law.
Where to check: Part 3: The role of the Governor-General
62.Which police force investigates crimes against federal laws, such as drug trafficking?
- · The police force of each state
- ✓ The Australian Federal Police
- · The Australian Electoral Commission
- · Local council rangers
The Australian Federal Police deals with crimes against federal law, including drug trafficking and crimes against national security or the environment. State and territory police handle crimes under their own laws.
Where to check: Part 3: The police
63.On what can an Australian court base its decision?
- · The opinion of the government
- · Newspaper reports about the case
- ✓ Only the evidence before it
- · What the police officer prefers
Courts are independent. They decide whether someone has broken the law, and set the penalty, using only the evidence presented to them.
Where to check: Part 3: The courts
64.Which level of government controls road and traffic rules?
- · The Australian Government
- · Local councils only
- · The High Court
- ✓ State and territory governments
Road rules are set by the states and territories. Breaking them can lead to a fine or even prison, and they include strict limits on alcohol, drugs and phones while driving.
Where to check: Part 3: Traffic offences
Part 3: Government and the law in Australia
64
questions here, 229 in the whole bank. Open one to see the answer and where to check it in Our Common Bond.
Questions adapted from Australian Citizenship: Our Common Bond, © Commonwealth of Australia, CC BY 4.0, by Radif Partners.
Questions, dates and fees by Radif Partners · Editorial policy · How questions and dates are built
A map of Part 3
Part 3 moves from the citizen outwards: first your vote, then the history of the system, then the rules that hold it together, then the people and institutions, and finally the law in daily life. Each block has a dedicated study page with its own practice set.
| Section of the booklet | Core idea | Study page | Questions |
|---|---|---|---|
| How do I have my say? | compulsory voting, secret ballot, the AEC, contacting your MP | Parliament and voting | 13 |
| Federation and the Constitution | six colonies united; Constitution; referendum; High Court | Constitution and referendums | 11 |
| Power and leaders | three powers; King, Governor-General, Prime Minister | Head of State and Prime Minister | 12 |
| How Australia is governed | two Houses; states and territories; local councils; services | Three levels of government | 12 |
| How laws are made and enforced | Bills and Royal Assent; courts, juries, police, offences | Courts, laws and police | 13 |
Three ideas that unlock the whole part
Power is divided. The Constitution separates legislative power (Parliament makes laws), executive power (the Prime Minister, ministers and Governor-General put them into practice) and judicial power (judges interpret and apply them). The aim is that no single person or group holds all the power. Courts and judges are independent of Parliament and government.
Government is layered. There are three levels: the Australian Government, six state and two territory governments, and local councils. They generally provide different services, with some overlap. Defence and citizenship are federal, schools and hospitals belong to the states and territories, rubbish collection and building permits to councils.
The Crown is above politics. The King of Australia is Head of State but has no day-to-day role, and must act within the Constitution. His powers are delegated to the Governor-General, who is neutral, signs Bills into law, approves ministers and is Commander-in-Chief. The government itself is led by the Prime Minister.
Titles that look alike
| Title | Role |
|---|---|
| Governor-General | the King's representative for the whole of Australia |
| Governor | the King's representative in a state |
| Administrator | similar to a Governor, in the Northern Territory, appointed by the Governor-General |
| Prime Minister | leader of the Australian Government |
| Premier | leader of a state government |
| Chief Minister | leader of a territory government |
| Mayor or Shire President | leader of a local council |
The law in daily life
The last pages of Part 3 are practical. People are innocent until a court finds them guilty, everyone may have a lawyer, and in a jury trial the jury decides guilt while the judge sets the penalty. Police keep the peace, are independent of government, and offering them a bribe is itself a crime. Not knowing a law is no excuse. Domestic and family violence, including controlling behaviour and isolating someone from family, is a serious crime. On the road, everyone wears a seatbelt, young children need an approved seat, and using a hand-held phone while driving is illegal.
How to revise it
Read pages 23 to 32 of the testable section with a pencil and sort every fact into one of three columns: makes laws, carries them out, judges them. Then do one practice set per study page above, starting with the three levels of government, where a quick table of services settles many questions. Part 3 rewards structure more than memory: once the boxes are clear, the details fall into place.