10.1 Intro to the Australian Constitution

constitution

a set of rule and principles that guide the way a country or state is run, some have unrwurtten constitutions and others have formal written constitutions

House of Representatives

the lower house of the Commonwealth Parliament

Senate

the upper house of the commonwealth parliament

referendum

the methods used for changing the wording of the Australian Constitution- requires a proposal to be approved by the Australian people in a public vote by a double majority

bill of rights

a document that sets out the most important rights and/ or freedoms of the citizens in a particular state or country

role of the constitution

established the nature, functions and limits of government and determins the power and duties of the government

features of the australian constitution

• establishes the Commonwealth Parliament and how the House of Representatives and the senate should be composed

• establishes the high court of australia

• sets out matter relating to the states

• established the law-making powers held by the Commonwealth Parliament

• provides a mechanism to change the Australian Constitution - a referendum