Part 3
Government and the law
Constitution, parliament, courts, levels of government
Key points
- Australia is a constitutional monarchy and a parliamentary democracy.
- Only the people can change the Constitution, by referendum with a double majority.
- Power is split three ways so no one person or group holds it all.
- Courts and police are independent of the government. Not knowing the law is no excuse.
Three powers, one Constitution
Parliament
Makes and changes laws. Its members are elected by the people.
Splitting power this way stops one person or one group from holding all the power.
Who's who
The King of Australia, His Majesty King Charles III. No day-to-day role.
Represents the King in Australia. Gives Royal Assent, is Commander-in-Chief, stays neutral.
Represents the King in each state. The Northern Territory has an Administrator.
Leader of the Australian Government: the leader of the party or coalition with a majority in the House of Representatives.
Leader of a state government / a territory government.
Leader of a local government. Councillors are elected members of the council.
The Australian Parliament
76 senators. Every state elects 12, whatever its size or population. The ACT and the Northern Territory elect 2 each.
The House of Representatives has over 150 members. The number for each state depends on how many people live there. The party or coalition with a majority there forms government, and its leader becomes Prime Minister.
How a Bill becomes law
- A Bill is proposed
- House of Representatives
- Senate
- Royal Assent
- It becomes law
A Bill is proposed
A member of parliament proposes a new law or a change to one. The proposal is called a Bill.
Which level of government?
Each level generally provides different services. Pick who is responsible.
Changing the Constitution: the double majority
Move the slider and tap the states. A change passes only when both checks are green.
- A majority of voters across the nation
- A majority of voters in a majority of states (3 of 6, needs 4)
In the 1967 Referendum, more than 90 per cent voted Yes to count Aboriginal peoples in the Census.