Question

Difficulty: MediumHead of State and the Governor-General

In the Australian parliamentary system, a proposed law (called a Bill) must pass through several stages before it becomes an official law of the land. What is the final step required by the Governor-General to complete this process?

  1. Giving Royal Assent to the Bill after it has been passed by both Houses of ParliamentAnswer
  2. B
    Signing the Bill into law before it is debated by the Senate and House of Representatives
  3. C
    Approving the Bill only if the King has personally reviewed and signed it first

Answer

The final step is for the Governor-General to give Royal Assent to the Bill after it has been passed by both Houses of Parliament.
The Governor-General represents the King in Australia. For a Bill to become an official law, it must be signed by the Governor-General after it has been passed by both the House of Representatives and the Senate. This process is known as 'Royal Assent'.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the legislative sequence
A Bill must pass the House of Representatives and the Senate.
Laws in Australia require the agreement of both houses of the Federal Parliament.
2
Apply the role of the Head of State's representative
The Governor-General must sign the Bill.
Under the Constitution, the Governor-General represents the King and must provide formal approval.
3
Define the formal term
Royal Assent.
This is the specific term used for the Governor-General's signature that turns a Bill into an Act of Parliament.

Key Concept

Royal Assent and the Role of the Governor-General

Hints

1
The Governor-General is the King's representative in Australia.
2
Think about the specific term for 'signing' a Bill once the House of Representatives and Senate are finished with it.

Practice More

Review the composition of the Federal Parliament to see how the King (represented by the Governor-General) fits with the two houses.
Estimated Time:45s
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