Separation of powers
Australia splits power three ways, so no one person or group holds all of it. Parliament makes laws, the executive puts them into practice, and independent courts interpret and apply them.
What to remember
- Power is divided so no one person or group holds all of it.
- Legislative = make laws (Parliament).
- Executive = put laws into practice (PM, ministers, Governor-General).
- Judicial = interpret and apply laws (judges, independent courts).
Sample questions
Why does the Constitution divide the power of government into three parts?Show answer
- To stop one person or one group from holding all the power
- So the King can choose which part to use
- To make government faster
To stop one person or one group from holding all the power. The Constitution divides the power of government between the legislative, executive and judicial powers, to stop one person or group from holding all the power.
What is legislative power?Show answer
- The power to interpret laws
- The power to put laws into practice
- The power to make and change laws
The power to make and change laws. Legislative power is the power to make laws. Parliament has the power to make and change the laws in Australia.
What is executive power?Show answer
- The power to decide court cases
- The power to make laws
- The power to put the laws into practice
The power to put the laws into practice. Executive power is the power to put the laws into practice. The Executive includes the Prime Minister, government ministers and the Governor-General.
Source: Australian Citizenship: Our Common Bond, p. 26. Read the full booklet on the Home Affairs website.