Australian Constitution

Question 1

Purpose of the Australian Constitution

Answer 1

• Provides all levels of government their powers of existence + their authority and jurisdiction to make laws
• Specifies powers, responsibilities, and roles of the governing bodies within a state or a country.

Question 2

Division of Powers

Answer 2

Exclusive Powers
Concurrent Powers
Residual Powers

Question 3

Exclusive Powers

Answer 3

• Held by federal
• Areas in law which federal parliament has power; e.g. defence, foreign affairs, currency

Question 4

Residual Powers

Answer 4

• Held by state
• Areas in law which state parliament has power; roads, public transport, community services
• If it is not listed in section 51 and 52, it is state responsibility

Question 5

Concurrent Powers

Answer 5

• Held by both federal and state
• Areas in law which federal and state parliaments have power; e.g. taxation, education
• When state and federal conflict, federal trumps state

Question 6

Difference between the Division of Powers and Separation of Powers

Answer 6

The division of powers outlines the roles and duties of respective governments while the separation of powers distributes the power of making, implementing, and interpreting the law.

Question 7

Levels of government

Answer 7

Federal (parliament), state/territory (parliament), local (councils)