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What role do political parties play in the way Australia is governed? · 1 min read

What role do political parties play in the way Australia is governed?

A political party is a group of people who share similar ideas about how a country should be governed. They work together to have the party’s ideas turned into laws. The main political parties in Australia are the Liberal Party of Australia, the Australian Labor Party, the Nationals and the Australian Greens.

Most parliamentarians belong to political parties. Some do not belong to any political party, and they are called ‘independents’.

In Australia, people are free to join a political party if they choose.

Test yourself on this topic

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

  1. 1. A member of Parliament does not belong to any political party. What is this member called?

    • A premier
    • A minister
    • A delegate
    • An independent

    Explanation: Most parliamentarians belong to a party; the few who do not are known as independents.

  2. 2. In Australia, what is the rule about joining a political party?

    • They must be invited to join by a government minister
    • They must join the party that governs their own state
    • They are free to join a political party if they choose
    • They may only join a party after they have voted

    Explanation: Joining a party is a free personal choice in Australia; nobody is forced to join and nobody needs permission.

  3. 3. What do the members of a political party work together to do?

    • Collect the taxes owed by their members
    • Run the rubbish collection in their area
    • Choose the judges who sit in the courts
    • Turn the party's ideas into laws

    Explanation: People who share ideas about governing join a party so those ideas can become the law of the country.

  4. 4. What is a political party?

    • A group of people with similar ideas about how to govern a country
    • A government department that writes all the new laws for the nation
    • A committee that counts all the votes at every federal election
    • A group of senior judges who decide the most important court cases

    Explanation: A party is simply people with shared ideas about governing who join together.

  5. 5. Which of these is one of the main political parties in Australia?

    • The National Citizens Party
    • The Australian Democracy Party
    • The Australian Greens
    • The Australian People's Union

    Explanation: The Australian Greens are named as one of the main parties, along with the Liberal Party of Australia, the Australian Labor Party and the Nationals.

From Australian Citizenship: Our Common Bond, the official booklet