The creation of the Commonwealth of Australia on January followed a decade of planning and public debate. Which of the following statements accurately reflects the constitutional arrangement that was established on that date?
- The Australian Constitution became the supreme law of the nation, establishing a new federal government while preserving the six colonies as States with their own parliaments.Answer
- BThe six colonies were dissolved to form a single, unified territory where all local laws were replaced by the British Constitution.
- CThe new Federal Parliament was given the power to appoint the Premiers of each State to ensure that all regional laws were identical to national laws.
Answer
The Australian Constitution became the supreme law of the nation, establishing a new federal government while preserving the six colonies as States with their own parliaments.
The correct answer accurately reflects that the Australian Constitution is the supreme law and that Federation created a federal system. In this system, the six colonies became States, retaining their own parliaments and constitutions while joining together under a new national government.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Federation and Constitutional Structure
Hints
1
Think about whether the colonies disappeared completely or if they remained part of the new nation as 'States'.
2
Federation is a system where power is shared between a central government and regional governments.
3
Recall that the Australian Constitution is the document that defines how the new nation is governed and how power is divided.
Practice More
Research the 'Division of Powers' to see which specific responsibilities were given to the Commonwealth and which were kept by the States.
Estimated Time:1m 30s