Australian Citizenship Test 6

Freedom of speech is the concept of the inherent human right to voice one’s opinion publicly without fear of censorship or punishment.

The Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act 1900 is the legal document that sets out the basic rules for the government of Australia. The Australian Constitution was originally passed as part of a British Act of Parliament in 1900. On 1 January 1901, when the Constitution took effect, the Australian colonies became one independent nation, the Commonwealth of Australia.

A member of the Australian Parliament proposes a new law or a change to the law. This proposal is called a Bill.

The number of MPs for each state and territory is based on the size of the population.

The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) is a Commonwealth agency. It conducts federal elections and referendums and maintains the Commonwealth electoral roll. The AEC is independent of the government.

Australia’s Head of State is the Queen of Australia, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

The Governor is the representative of the Head of State in each Australian state.

Most religions have rules, but these are not laws in Australia. Some religious or cultural practices, such as being married to more than one person at the same time, are against Australian law.

Jury service helps to make sure that the court system is open and fair.

Paying tax is required by law. Tax is collected by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) from both businesses and individuals.

Australian citizens regularly vote for people to represent them in parliament. Only parliament has the power to make and change the laws that govern the country.

We expect all Australians to treat each other with dignity and respect, regardless of their race, country of origin, gender, sexual preference, marital status, age, disability, heritage, culture, politics, wealth or religion.

We are free to meet with people in public or private places for social or political discussion. We can criticise the government, peacefully protest against government decisions and campaign to change laws.

The Commonwealth Star is under the Union Jack. This star has seven points, one point for each of the six states and one for the territories.

Australia’s national flower is the golden wattle. This small tree grows mainly in south-eastern Australia. It has bright green leaves and many golden yellow flowers in spring.

New South Wales was the first colony established by the British.

Queensland is the second largest state. The world famous Great Barrier Reef runs along its eastern coast.

Alice Springs is the main town near the centre of Australia.

European settlement started when the first 11 convict ships, which became known as the ‘First Fleet’, arrived from Great Britain on 26 January 1788.

In 1901, the colonies were united into a federation of states called the Commonwealth of Australia. At that time, Australia’s population was counted at about four million people. This number did not include the Indigenous people.