State and territory government

Test yourself on this topic

9 questions on this topic, each with the answer explained.

1. 1. How do state governments operate?

   • In a completely different way from the Australian Government
   • In a similar way to the Australian Government
   • Only when the Australian Parliament gives them permission
   • Only under the daily direction of the local councils

   Explanation: The way a state government works closely resembles the way the Australian Government works.

2. 2. How many states and mainland territories are there in Australia?

   • Five states and three mainland territories
   • Six states and two mainland territories
   • Seven states and one mainland territory
   • Six states and four mainland territories

   Explanation: Australia is made up of six states together with two mainland territories.

3. 3. In state and territory elections, what do Australian citizens vote for?

   • A senator for the Australian Parliament
   • A premier for the whole state
   • A councillor for their local council
   • A representative for their own area

   Explanation: Voters choose a representative for their area, and those representatives then sit in the state or territory parliament.

4. 4. In the Northern Territory, who appoints the Administrator?

   • The local councils
   • The Chief Minister
   • The state premiers
   • The Governor-General

   Explanation: The Northern Territory has an Administrator, and the appointment is made by the Governor-General.

5. 5. The role and responsibilities of the Administrator of the Northern Territory are similar to those of whom?

   • A local mayor
   • A state Governor
   • A state Premier
   • A federal senator

   Explanation: The Administrator does much the same job in the Northern Territory as a Governor does in a state.

6. 6. What can happen to a law passed by a self-governing territory?

   • It can be changed only by a further vote of local people
   • It can be altered only by the government of a nearby state
   • It cannot be changed once the territory has passed it
   • It can be altered or revoked by the Australian Government

   Explanation: Territory laws are not final in the way state laws are, because the Australian Government can change or cancel them at any time.

7. 7. Where are the state and territory governments based?

   • In their largest country towns
   • In their capital cities
   • In each local government area
   • In Canberra with the federal government

   Explanation: Each state and territory government sits in the capital city of that state or territory.

8. 8. Which TWO things does each state government have of its own?

   • Its own parliament
   • Its own head of state
   • Its own constitution
   • Its own defence force

   Explanation: Every state runs its own parliament and has its own constitution.

9. 9. Which statement about rights under the Constitution is correct?

   • Neither states nor territories have rights under the Constitution
   • Both states and territories have rights recognised by the Constitution
   • States have rights recognised by the Constitution, but territories do not
   • Territories have rights recognised by the Constitution, but states do not

   Explanation: The Constitution recognises the rights of the states; the territories do not have the same recognition.