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Difficulty: HardElection Process and Frequency

The Australian Constitution stipulates that the House of Representatives can serve for a maximum period of 33 years before a federal election must be held. If a government wishes to hold an election before this full term has elapsed, which of the following describes the correct constitutional procedure for initiating that process?

  1. The Prime Minister advises the Governor-General to dissolve the House of Representatives, and the Governor-General then formally calls for the election.Answer
  2. B
    The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) determines the most appropriate Saturday for the vote and issues a directive to the Governor-General to dissolve the House of Representatives.
  3. C
    The Governor-General independently exercises the authority of the King to dissolve the House of Representatives once the Senate has voted to approve the early election date.

Answer

The correct procedure is for the Prime Minister to advise the Governor-General to dissolve the House of Representatives, followed by the Governor-General formally calling the election.
The correct answer is accurate because, under the Australian Constitution and parliamentary convention, the Prime Minister has the authority to recommend the timing of an election. The Governor-General, acting as the King's representative, performs the formal act of dissolving the House of Representatives only after receiving this advice from the Prime Minister.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the role of the Prime Minister in election timing.
The Prime Minister decides when a federal election should be held (within the 33-year limit).
By convention, the leader of the government (Prime Minister) chooses the timing for an election.
2
Determine the constitutional mechanism for ending a parliamentary term early.
The House of Representatives must be 'dissolved'.
Dissolution officially ends the current term of the House, allowing a new election to take place.
3
Connect the advisory role to the executive power.
The Governor-General dissolves the House on the Prime Minister's advice.
The Governor-General represents the King and holds the formal power, but acts on the advice of the elected government.

Key Concept

The constitutional process of dissolution and the advisory role of the Prime Minister.

Practice More

Review the specific roles of the AEC compared to the Executive Government during the writ issuance period.
Estimated Time:2m 0s
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Topics

Election Process and Frequency

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