Free Our Common Bond questions: 20 questions; the real Australian citizenship test has 20 questions, 5 of them on Australian values, per Home Affairs. How many can you get wrong?
Government and the law in Australia
Which of these can be a form of domestic and family violence?
Keyboard: A to D or 1 to 4 picks an answer. Enter moves on.
Our Common Bond practice questions and answers: Government and the law in Australia
Government and the law in Australia is part 3 of Australian Citizenship: Our Common Bond, the official booklet for the test.
Answers and explanations (text version)
All 20 questions in this practice set, each with the right answer, the reason, and where it is in Our Common Bond. Try the questions first.
Question 1. Which of these can be a form of domestic and family violence?
- A. Isolating a family member from their friends
- B. Visiting relatives together on a public holiday
- C. Disagreeing politely about plans for the weekend
Answer: A. Isolating a family member from their friends
Examples include hitting someone, keeping them away from friends and family, or making threats against children or pets.
In Our Common Bond, Part 3: Government and the law in Australia (Criminal offences in Australia)
Question 2. Who begins the formal process for a federal election?
- A. The Chief Minister of the ACT
- B. The Governor-General
- C. The High Court
Answer: B. The Governor-General
Starting the process for a federal election is one of the Governor-General's roles.
In Our Common Bond, Part 3: Government and the law in Australia (The role of the Governor-General)
Question 3. Which statement about the Australian Electoral Commission is correct?
- A. It is run by the party in government
- B. It is independent of the government
- C. It is part of the High Court
Answer: B. It is independent of the government
The AEC works independently. Neither parties nor members of the government can sway what it decides.
In Our Common Bond, Part 3: Government and the law in Australia (How do I have my say?)
Question 4. Before Federation, what was one problem caused by having separate colonies?
- A. The colonies had no laws or constitutions of their own
- B. The colonies shared one army, which was far too large
- C. Trade and transport between colonies were slow and costly
Answer: C. Trade and transport between colonies were slow and costly
Each colony had its own laws, which made trade and transport between them slow and costly.
In Our Common Bond, Part 3: Government and the law in Australia (Federation)
Question 5. Who recommends which members of parliament become ministers?
- A. The Governor-General
- B. The High Court
- C. The Prime Minister
Answer: C. The Prime Minister
The Prime Minister recommends who becomes a minister. The Governor-General approves the appointments.
In Our Common Bond, Part 3: Government and the law in Australia (How is the Australian Government formed?)
Question 6. Who should you call if you, or someone you know, is in danger?
- A. The police
- B. The Australian Electoral Commission
- C. Your local council
Answer: A. The police
Anyone in danger, or who knows someone in danger, should call the police.
In Our Common Bond, Part 3: Government and the law in Australia (Criminal offences in Australia)
Question 7. What is a Member of Parliament (MP)?
- A. A public servant who works in a government department
- B. Someone the people elect to a parliament
- C. A person appointed by the King to advise the courts
Answer: B. Someone the people elect to a parliament
An MP is chosen by voters to sit in the Australian Parliament or in a state parliament.
In Our Common Bond, Part 3: Government and the law in Australia (Who are some of Australia's leaders?)
Question 8. Who becomes the Prime Minister?
- A. The longest-serving member of the House of Representatives
- B. The leader of the party or coalition that forms the government
- C. The candidate who wins the most votes across Australia
Answer: B. The leader of the party or coalition that forms the government
The leader of the party or coalition that forms the government becomes Prime Minister.
In Our Common Bond, Part 3: Government and the law in Australia (How is the Australian Government formed?)
Question 9. What can happen to people who break traffic laws?
- A. They can only be given a warning
- B. They may be fined or even jailed
- C. Nothing, unless there is an accident
Answer: B. They may be fined or even jailed
Traffic laws are strict: people who break them may be fined or jailed.
In Our Common Bond, Part 3: Government and the law in Australia (Traffic offences)
Question 10. What power does the High Court of Australia have?
- A. The final say in applying and interpreting laws
- B. The power to make new laws and change old ones
- C. The power to collect taxes and spend public money
Answer: A. The final say in applying and interpreting laws
The High Court has the final say on applying and interpreting Australia's laws.
In Our Common Bond, Part 3: Government and the law in Australia (The Australian Constitution)
Question 11. What is a political party?
- A. A government department that runs federal elections
- B. People with shared views on how the country should be run
- C. A court that hears cases about disputed elections
Answer: B. People with shared views on how the country should be run
A political party is made up of people with shared views on how the country should be run, who work to turn those ideas into laws.
In Our Common Bond, Part 3: Government and the law in Australia (What role do political parties play?)
Question 12. What kinds of crimes does the Australian Federal Police (AFP) investigate?
- A. Federal crimes, such as drug trafficking
- B. Minor traffic offences such as speeding in every state
- C. Breaches of local council rules, such as noise
Answer: A. Federal crimes, such as drug trafficking
The AFP investigates federal crimes such as drug trafficking and crimes against national security or the environment.
In Our Common Bond, Part 3: Government and the law in Australia (How are laws enforced?)
Question 13. What is executive power?
- A. Putting the laws into action
- B. The power to make new laws and change old ones
- C. The power to decide court cases and give penalties
Answer: A. Putting the laws into action
Executive power means carrying out and administering the laws.
In Our Common Bond, Part 3: Government and the law in Australia (How is the power of government controlled?)
Question 14. How many senators does each state elect?
- A. 2
- B. 76
- C. 12
Answer: C. 12
Each state elects 12 senators, whatever its size or population.
In Our Common Bond, Part 3: Government and the law in Australia (The Senate)
Question 15. What are other names for the Senate?
- A. The Upper House, the States' House or the House of Review
- B. The Lower House, the People's House or the Members' House
- C. The Council House, the Ministers' House or the High House
Answer: A. The Upper House, the States' House or the House of Review
The Senate has three other names: the Upper House, the House of Review and the States' House.
In Our Common Bond, Part 3: Government and the law in Australia (The Senate)
Question 16. Who explains the law to the jury?
- A. The judge
- B. The police
- C. The accused person's family
Answer: A. The judge
The judge tells the jury what the law is.
In Our Common Bond, Part 3: Government and the law in Australia (How are laws enforced?)
Question 17. What is a 'double majority' in a referendum?
- A. A majority of voters nationally and in a majority of states
- B. Two-thirds of members in both Houses of Parliament agreeing
- C. Two votes in a row with the same result
Answer: A. A majority of voters nationally and in a majority of states
To change the Constitution, most voters across the nation and most voters in most states must vote 'Yes'.
In Our Common Bond, Part 3: Government and the law in Australia (The Australian Constitution)
Question 18. Who acts for the Head of State in Australia?
- A. The Governor-General
- B. The Prime Minister
- C. The Chief Justice
Answer: A. The Governor-General
The Governor-General represents the King of Australia, who is the Head of State.
In Our Common Bond, Part 3: Government and the law in Australia (Who are some of Australia's leaders?)
Question 19. What can the police do if they think a person has broken the law?
- A. Decide the penalty themselves without a court
- B. Arrest the person and take them to court
- C. Send them to jail without a trial in court
Answer: B. Arrest the person and take them to court
Police can arrest a person and bring them to court. The court decides if they are guilty.
In Our Common Bond, Part 3: Government and the law in Australia (How are laws enforced?)
Question 20. Which of these is an Australian Government responsibility?
- A. Local libraries and community halls
- B. Postal services and communications
- C. Schools, hospitals and public transport
Answer: B. Postal services and communications
Postal services and the communications network are run by the Australian Government.
In Our Common Bond, Part 3: Government and the law in Australia (What do the three levels of government do?)
Link to this practice set
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