A vote by the people to change the Constitution

Practice Establishing Australia’s System of Government Questions

Home
Study
Study Questions
How did we establish our system of government?

Question 1 of 24

What was formed when the colonies united on 1 January 1901?

The Commonwealth of Australia

Explanation:

"On 1 January 1901, the colonies were united into a federation of states called the Commonwealth of Australia."
The United States of Australia
The Federation of Australia
The Australian Union

Unlock

Question 2 of 24

When did the separate colonies unite into a federation of states called the Commonwealth of Australia?

{ts '1901-01-01 00:00:00'}

Explanation:

"The separate colonies united into a federation of states called the Commonwealth of Australia on 1 January 1901."
1 January 1801
{ts '2000-01-01 00:00:00'}
{ts '1950-01-01 00:00:00'}

Unlock

Question 3 of 24

Why did people want a single nation for Australia?

To solve problems like expensive trade and weak defense
To unify colonies and create a more unified government system
To improve national defense and trade costs
All of the above

Explanation:

"People wanted a single nation to address problems like expensive trade, weak defense, and the need for a unified government system. These issues were solved by uniting the colonies into one country."

Unlock

Question 4 of 24

What was a significant weakness of the colonies before 1901?

Weak systems of defence

Explanation:

"Before 1901, the separate colonies had weak systems of defence."
Weak economic policies
Lack of cultural diversity
Lack of communication systems

Unlock

Question 5 of 24

What problems existed due to the separate colonies in Australia before the Federation?

Expensive and slow trade and transport between the colonies
Difficulties in enforcing laws across borders
Weak defense systems in each colony
All of the above

Explanation:

"Before the Federation, each colony had its own laws and systems. This caused problems like expensive and slow trade, difficulty enforcing laws across borders, and weak defense. "

Unlock

Question 6 of 24

What was a major issue between the separate Australian colonies before 1901?

Overpopulation
Lack of natural resources
Slow and expensive trade and transport

Explanation:

"Before 1901, trade and transport between the separate Australian colonies were slow and expensive because each colony had its own rules and systems."
Inconsistent weather conditions

Unlock

Question 7 of 24

What did each Australian colony have before 1901?

Its own constitution and laws for defence, immigration, postage, trade, and transport.

Explanation:

"Before 1901, each Australian colony had its own constitution and laws, which governed areas like defense, immigration, postage, trade, and transport. This made coordination between the colonies difficult."
A shared set of national laws.
A single constitution under British rule.
A federal government overseeing all laws.

Unlock

Question 8 of 24

Before 1901, what was Australia made up of?

A group of independent nations
One united British colony
Six separate, self-governing British colonies

Explanation:

"Before 1901, Australia was made up of six separate British colonies, each with its own government."
Seven federal states

Unlock

Question 9 of 24

Before 1901, how many separate colonies was Australia made up of?

Four
Five
Six

Explanation:

"After British settlement and before 1901, Australia was made up of six separate, self-governing British colonies."
Seven

Unlock

Question 10 of 24

After which settlement was Australia made up of six separate, self-governing colonies?

American
British

Explanation:

"Australia was made up of six separate, self-governing colonies following the establishment of British settlements."
German
Both A & B

Unlock

Question 11 of 24

In an Australian referendum, what does a ‘double majority’ refer to?

A majority of voters in a majority of states and across the nation must vote for the change

Explanation:

"A 'double majority' in an Australian referendum means that the proposal must be approved by a majority of voters in a majority of states (at least four out of six states), as well as a majority of voters across the entire nation."
A majority of voters from each political party and in each state
A majority of voters in each state and a majority of federal politicians must agree
A majority of young and old voters must agree on the change

Unlock

Question 12 of 24

What is required for a constitution to be changed in Australia through a referendum?

A simple majority of voters
A double majority of voters

Explanation:

"A double majority of voters is required to change the Australian Constitution through a referendum. This means that the proposed change must be approved by a majority of voters nationwide and a majority of voters in at least four of the six states."
Only a majority of voters in the capital cities
A majority of politicians in parliament

Unlock

Question 13 of 24

What is a referendum?

A vote by the people to change the Constitution

Explanation:

"A referendum is a vote by the people to change the Constitution."
A vote to elect members of parliament
A vote on government policies
A vote to appoint the Prime Minister

Unlock

Question 14 of 24

How can the Australian people change the Australian Constitution?

By voting in an election
By voting in a referendum

Explanation:

"The Australian people can change the Constitution by voting in a referendum. "
By protesting against the government
By approval from the Prime Minister

Unlock

Question 15 of 24

What happened in the 1967 Referendum in Australia?

More than 90% of Australians voted ‘Yes’ to allow Aboriginal peoples to be counted in the Census

Explanation:

"In the 1967 Referendum, more than 90 percent of Australians voted ‘Yes’ to allow Aboriginal peoples to be counted in the Census."
Australians voted to give Aboriginal peoples the right to vote
Aboriginal peoples gained full citizenship rights
The Australian Constitution was amended to include Aboriginal peoples in government

Unlock

Question 16 of 24

What power does the High Court of Australia have?

To create laws for the Australian Parliament
To apply and interpret the laws of Australia

Explanation:

"The High Court of Australia has the ultimate power to apply and interpret the laws of Australia."
To review the constitutionality of international treaties
To oversee elections in Australia

Unlock

Question 17 of 24

Who established the High Court of Australia?

The Australian Government
The Australian Constitution

Explanation:

"The High Court of Australia was established by the Australian Constitution. It is the highest court in the country created to interpret and apply the laws of Australia."
The Parliament of Australia
The British Government

Unlock

Question 18 of 24

What two bodies make up the Australian Parliament?

House of Representatives and Senate

Explanation:

"The Australian Constitution established the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia, consisting of a House of Representatives and a Senate."
House of Lords and Senate
House of Commons and Senate
House of Representatives and Congress

Unlock

Question 19 of 24

What does the Australian Constitution establish?

The Federal Court of Australia
The Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia

Explanation:

"The Australian Constitution established the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia, consisting of a House of Representatives and a Senate."
The Australian Electoral Commission
The Australian Cabinet

Unlock

Question 20 of 24

When did the Australian Constitution come into effect, uniting the colonies into one independent nation?

{ts '1900-01-02 00:00:00'}
{ts '1901-01-26 00:00:00'}
{ts '1901-01-01 00:00:00'}

Explanation:

"The Australian Constitution came into effect on 1 January 1901, uniting the separate colonies into the Commonwealth of Australia. This marked the beginning of Australia as a federated nation."
{ts '1910-01-01 00:00:00'}

Unlock

Question 21 of 24

How was the Australian Constitution originally passed?

As part of an Australian Act of Parliament
As part of a British Act of Parliament in 1990

Explanation:

"The Australian Constitution was originally passed as part of a British Act of Parliament in 1990."
Through a referendum in 1900
By an Australian constitutional convention

Unlock

Question 22 of 24

Which Act is the Australian Constitution based on?

The Commonwealth of Australia Act 1901
The Australian Independence Act 1901
The Australian Government Act 1900
The Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act 1900

Explanation:

"The Australian Constitution is based on the Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act 1900 (UK). This Act was passed by the British Parliament and came into effect on 1 January 1901, establishing the framework for Australia's federal system of government."

Unlock

Question 23 of 24

What is the Commonwealth of Australia?

An independent nation formed by uniting six colonies in 1901

Explanation:

"The Commonwealth of Australia is an independent nation formed on 1 January 1901 when six self-governing colonies united to become one country."
A federation of states that became a nation in 1910
A government formed from the British colonies in Australia
A political system established by the British monarchy

Unlock

Question 24 of 24

What is the Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act 1900?

A document that established Australia's first parliament
A legal document that sets out the basic rules for the government of Australia

Explanation:

"The Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act 1900 (Australian Constitution) is the legal document that sets out the basic rules for the government of Australia."
A law that gave independence to Australia
A document outlining the rights of Australian citizens

Unlock