Lesson 9

🗳️ Elections

Enrolling, voting, and how a government is formed.

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Voting in Australia

The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) runs federal elections and referendums and keeps the Commonwealth electoral roll. Voting is by secret ballot, and people are free and safe to vote for any candidate. Enrolling and voting are compulsory for citizens aged 18 or over: if you are not correctly enrolled you cannot vote, and if you do not vote without a good reason you may have to pay a fine.

Remember

Forming a government

A political party is a group of people who share similar ideas about how the country should be governed. After a federal election, the party or coalition with a majority of members in the House of Representatives forms the government, and its leader becomes Prime Minister. The party or coalition with the second-largest number of members becomes the Opposition.

Remember

Practice questions

Which of the following statements is true about voting in Australian elections?

  1. Voting is done by a show of hands.
  2. People must write their name on the ballot paper.
  3. People are free and safe to vote for any candidate.
  4. Voting is optional for Australian citizens.

Answer: People are free and safe to vote for any candidate. In Australia, voting in an election is by secret ballot, so you are free and safe to vote for any candidate. No one is allowed to know whom you have voted for.

Who is responsible for conducting federal elections and referendums in Australia?

  1. The Prime Minister's Office.
  2. The High Court of Australia.
  3. The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC).
  4. The Governor-General.

Answer: The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC). The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) is a Commonwealth agency responsible for conducting federal elections and referendums.

How is the Australian Government formed after a federal election?

  1. By the party with the majority of members in the Senate
  2. By the party with the majority of members in the House of Representatives
  3. Appointed by the King
  4. Appointed by the High Court

Answer: By the party with the majority of members in the House of Representatives. After a federal election, the Australian Government is generally formed by the party or coalition of parties with the majority of members in the Houses of Representatives.

After a federal election, what is the party or coalition with the second largest number of members in the House of Representatives called?

  1. The Opposition
  2. The Government
  3. The Cabinet
  4. The Crossbench

Answer: The Opposition. After a federal election, the party or coalition of parties with the second largest number of members in the House of Representatives forms the Opposition.

What is a group of people who share similar ideas about how a country should be governed called?

  1. A political party
  2. A local council
  3. A jury
  4. A coalition

Answer: A political party. A political party is a group of people who share similar ideas about how a country should be governed.

Which organization is responsible for maintaining the Commonwealth electoral roll?

  1. The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC)
  2. The High Court of Australia
  3. The Prime Minister's Office
  4. The Governor-General

Answer: The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC). The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) is responsible for maintaining the Commonwealth electoral roll.

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