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Difficulty: EasyThe Australian Constitution

The Australian Constitution is the supreme law of Australia. If there is a legal dispute about the meaning of the Constitution, which of the following has the power to interpret it and make a final decision?

  1. A
    The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC)
  2. The High Court of AustraliaAnswer
  3. C
    The local police services in each state

Answer

The High Court of Australia has the legal authority to interpret the Constitution.
The High Court of Australia is the only body with the authority to interpret the Constitution and decide whether laws passed by the Australian Parliament are consistent with its rules.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the status of the Australian Constitution.
The Constitution is the supreme law of the nation.
Understanding that the Constitution is the foundation of the legal system helps identify who guards it.
2
Recall which branch of government handles the interpretation of laws.
The Judicial branch (the courts) interprets the law.
This narrows the choice to a court system rather than an administrative or enforcement body.
3
Identify the specific court mentioned in the Constitution for this purpose.
The High Court of Australia.
The Constitution specifically established the High Court as the highest judicial authority to resolve constitutional disputes.

Key Concept

The High Court as the interpreter of the Constitution

Hints

1
Think about which branch of government is responsible for the legal system and courts.
2
The body you are looking for is the highest court in the nation.

Practice More

Try to learn about the three arms of government: the legislature, the executive, and the judiciary.
Estimated Time:45s
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Topics

The Australian Constitution

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