Practice Test 3

Answer key

1. 1. Freedom of association — Freedom of association allows Australians to join or form groups, including political parties, trade unions, and community organisations, without government interference.
2. 2. Applying for an Australian passport — An Australian passport is a privilege exclusive to Australian citizens. Permanent residents cannot hold an Australian passport unless they become citizens.
3. 3. Australian citizens aged 18 and over — Only Australian citizens aged 18 and over are required to vote. Permanent residents are not enrolled or required to vote in federal elections.
4. 4. A minister must obey the same laws as ordinary citizens — The rule of law in Australia means that no one — not even ministers or senior officials — is above the law. All people are subject to the same legal standards.
5. 5. People of all races are considered equal under the law — Australia's values include equality of all people regardless of race. Racial discrimination is prohibited by law and everyone is treated equally under Australian law.
6. 6. The Australian Parliament — The Australian Parliament — consisting of the House of Representatives, the Senate, and the monarch represented by the Governor-General — is responsible for making federal laws.
7. 7. 18 — Australian citizens must enrol to vote upon turning 18 and are required by law to vote in federal and state elections from that age.
8. 8. Constitutional monarchy — Australia is a constitutional monarchy, meaning it is a democracy with a monarch as head of state whose powers are limited by the Constitution.
9. 9. 18 — In Australia, enrolment to vote is compulsory for all citizens aged 18 and over, and voting itself is also compulsory once enrolled.
10. 10. Three — Australia has three levels of government: federal (Commonwealth), state and territory, and local government.
11. 11. Hospitals and schools — State and territory governments manage hospitals, schools, police, and public transport, among other services that directly affect daily life.
12. 12. The House of Representatives and the Senate — The Australian federal Parliament comprises the House of Representatives (lower house) and the Senate (upper house).
13. 13. The Prime Minister — The Prime Minister is the leader of the federal government, heading the party or coalition that holds a majority in the House of Representatives.
14. 14. To interpret and apply the law independently — The Judiciary — Australia's courts — independently interprets and applies the law. Courts are separate from the Parliament and Executive to ensure impartial justice.
15. 15. Through a referendum requiring a double majority — Changing the Australian Constitution requires a referendum in which a double majority is achieved: a national majority of all voters plus a majority in at least four of the six states.
16. 16. Federal (Commonwealth) government — While states also have their own police and courts, the Australian Federal Police and federal courts (including the High Court) operate under the Commonwealth government.
17. 17. 1901 — The Commonwealth of Australia was established on 1 January 1901, when the six colonies federated to form a single nation.
18. 18. State and territory police — State and territory police forces are primarily responsible for enforcing laws at the local and state level. The Australian Federal Police handles federal matters.
19. 19. A parliamentary democracy — Australia is a parliamentary democracy where citizens elect representatives to parliament to make decisions on their behalf.
20. 20. Choosing to join a community group, club, or political party of your own free will — Freedom of association means Australians can freely choose to join — or not join — any lawful group, organisation, or political party.