The Australian Federal Parliament consists of the King (represented by the Governor-General), the Senate, and the House of Representatives. In this system, what is the specific role of the Governor-General regarding new laws?
- AIntroducing new Bills for debate and voting in the House of Representatives
- Signing Bills that have been passed by both houses of Parliament to give Royal AssentAnswer
- CDeciding whether a Bill is constitutional before it can be debated by the Senate
Answer
The Governor-General signs Bills that have been passed by both houses of Parliament to give Royal Assent.
The Governor-General is the King's representative in Australia. Under the Australian Constitution, the Governor-General performs the vital role of giving 'Royal Assent' to legislation. This means that after a Bill has successfully passed through both the House of Representatives and the Senate, it must be signed by the Governor-General to officially become an Australian law.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
The Governor-General's role in Royal Assent
Hints
1
Think about the three parts of the Federal Parliament mentioned in the question.
2
The Governor-General acts as the representative of the King. What 'regal' or formal action might they take at the very end of the law-making process?
3
Look for the term 'Royal Assent', which is the formal name for the Governor-General signing a Bill.
Practice More
Review the roles of the House of Representatives and the Senate to see how they differ from the Governor-General's role.
Estimated Time:45s