Political parties & forming government
Australian citizenship test study notes, summarised from page 30 of Australian Citizenship: Our Common Bond, the official booklet the test is based on.
- A political party is a group sharing similar ideas about how the country should be governed. Main parties: Liberal Party, Australian Labor Party, the Nationals, Australian Greens.
- Most parliamentarians belong to political parties. Those who don’t are independents. You’re free to join a party if you choose.
- After a federal election, government is generally formed by the party or coalition with the majority of members in the House of Representatives. Its leader becomes Prime Minister.
- The party/coalition with the second largest number forms the Opposition, led by the Leader of the Opposition.
- The PM recommends ministers; the Governor-General approves the PM and ministers. Ministers with the most important portfolios form the Cabinet — the key decision-making body.
Our Common Bond, p. 30
Sample practice questions
Try these, then check your answer. They’re our practice questions, not the real test questions.
1. What is a political party?
- A government department that organises elections and counts the votes
- A group of public servants who advise the government on new laws
- A group of people who share similar ideas about how a country should be governed
Show answer
Answer: C. A group of people who share similar ideas about how a country should be governed
A political party is a group of people who share similar ideas about how a country should be governed.
Our Common Bond, p. 30
2. What is a coalition?
- The joining of the House of Representatives and the Senate to vote on a Bill
- The group of senators who review Bills passed by the House
- The joining of two or more political parties, usually to form a government or opposition
Show answer
Answer: C. The joining of two or more political parties, usually to form a government or opposition
A coalition is the joining of two or more political parties, usually to form a government or opposition.
Our Common Bond, p. 40
3. After a federal election, what is the leader of the party or coalition with the second largest number of members in the House of Representatives called?
- The Deputy Prime Minister
- The Leader of the Opposition
- The Speaker of the House
Show answer
Answer: B. The Leader of 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. Its leader is called the Leader of the Opposition.
Our Common Bond, p. 30
Practise all 12 questions on this topic