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VICLegal StudiesQuick questions
Unit 4: The people and the law
Quick questions on Factors affecting the ability of parliament to make law: VCE Legal Studies
7short Q&A pairs drawn directly from our worked dot-point answer. For full context and worked exam questions, read the parent dot-point page.
What is the bicameral structure?Show answer
Most Australian parliaments are bicameral: they have two houses. The Commonwealth Parliament has the House of Representatives (the lower house) and the Senate (the upper house). The Victorian Parliament has the Legislative Assembly and the Legislative Council. A bill must usually pass both houses (and receive royal assent) to become law.
What is the representative nature of parliament?Show answer
Members of parliament are elected by the people and must face re-election. Parliament is intended to represent the views and values of the community.
What are political pressures?Show answer
Lawmaking is shaped by political pressures from inside and outside parliament: party discipline, the influence of cabinet, pressure groups, lobbyists, the media, and international obligations.
What is pulling the factors together?Show answer
These factors interact. A government with a strong lower-house majority but no Senate majority may find its representative mandate frustrated by the bicameral structure; political pressure from a media campaign may push parliament to legislate quickly despite the review role of the upper house. A good answer shows that each factor can both help and hinder, depending on the circumstances.
What is q1?Show answer
Identify the three factors that affect the ability of parliament to make law. [3 marks]
What is q2?Show answer
Explain how the bicameral structure of parliament can both assist and limit lawmaking. [4 marks]
What is q3?Show answer
Evaluate the extent to which the representative nature of parliament strengthens its ability to make law. [6 marks]
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