The Australian Parliament consists of the King (represented by the Governor-General), the House of Representatives, and the Senate. What is a primary role of the Senate?
- ATo decide which political party has the majority and will form the Australian Government
- BTo act as the King's representative and give Royal Assent to bills so they become law
- To represent the interests of all states and territories and review bills passed by the House of RepresentativesAnswer
Answer
The primary role of the Senate is to represent the interests of all states and territories and to review bills that have been passed by the House of Representatives.
The Senate is the Upper House of the Australian Parliament. Its members, called Senators, represent the people of their state or territory. A critical part of their role is to review, debate, and vote on bills (proposed laws) that have been sent from the House of Representatives. This function ensures that all proposed laws are carefully examined, which is why the Senate is often called the 'House of Review'.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
The Senate as the House of Review and representative of States/Territories
Hints
1
Think about why the Senate is often called the 'House of Review'.
2
Consider which house is responsible for representing the states equally (12 senators per state) regardless of population.
Practice More
Research how many senators represent each state versus each territory to understand how representation is balanced in the Upper House.
Estimated Time:1m 0s