1.7 State parliament and its characteristics and role in law making Key Concept The role of the Victorian Parliament is the same as that of federal parliament. However, one key difference is that the parliament is elected by the people of Victoria and makes laws that represent their specific needs. 1Year 11 Legal 2015 1.7 State Parliament and its characteristics and role in law-making Year 11 Legal 20152 Quick research quiz 1.Who is the present governor of Victoria? 2. Who is the present premier of Victoria? 3. Which political party does he/she represent? 4. Who is the present leader of the State Opposition? 5. Which political party does he/she represent? 6. Who is the state leader of the National Party? 7. What is the name of the state lower house electorate in which you go to school? 8. What is the name of your local member of the Legislative Assembly? 9. Which political party does he/she represent? 10. What is the name of the Legislative Council region in which you go to school? Year 11 Legal 20153 Research Quiz Who is the present governor of Victoria?Alex Chernov 2. Who is the present premier of Victoria?Daniel Andrews 3. Which political party does he/she represent?Labor 4. Who is the present leader of the State Opposition? Was Denis Napthine Now: Matthew Guy 5. Which political party does he/she represent?Liberal 6. Who is the state leader of the National Party?Warren Truss 7. What is the name of the state lower house electorate in which you go to school? Narre Warren North 8. What is the name of your local member of the Legislative Assembly? Luke Donnellan 9. Which political party does he/she represent?Labor 10. What is the name of the Legislative Council region in which you go to school? South-Eastern Metropolitan Year 11 Legal 20154 Structure of the Victorian Parliament (A state parliament) Crown Queen (Crown) Represented by the Governor His Excellency the Hon Alex Chernov AC QC Upper House Legislative Council (Upper House) Lower House Legislative Assembly Lower House Year 11 Legal 20155 Structure of the Victorian Parliament Operates in the same way as the Commonwealth Parliament (i.e., - Upper and Lower House of Parliament Year 11 Legal 20156 Structure of the Victorian Parliament Legislative Assembly o Victoria is divided into 88 Districts (Roughly of the same population) o One member of the legislative assembly (MLA) is elected to represent each one of these district o Each MLA is elected for 4 years o Parliament sits for 4 years (fixed) with elections held on the last Saturday in November at the end of that 4 year period. Year 11 Legal 20157 Structure of the Victorian Parliament Role of the legislative Assembly o Government is formed in this house by the party with the majority of members (88 Seats total number available) 45 required to win o Leader of that party becomes Premier. o Important ministers and Premier form to make the State Cabinet. o Main role is to make laws o Most laws originate in this house o Representative (Views of the people) and responsible government (Accountability) operates o Leader of the house is known as the Speaker. Year 11 Legal 20158 Structure of the Victorian Parliament Legislative Council o Legislative Council divided into 8 regions with each region having 11 districts (88 Seats) o 5 Members of the Legislative Council (MLC) are elected to each region. o Total number of 40 MLCs o Serve a 4 year fixed term period. Year 11 Legal 20159 Structure of the Victorian Parliament Role of the Legislative Council o Similar to that of the Senate o House of review (Scrutinise, debate, amending or reject legislation initiated by the lower house/government. o Lead role in application of Responsible Government. o Committees are formed to debate proposed laws o Money Bills can only be initiated in the Legislative Assembly o Unlike the Federal Upper House (SENATE) the Legislative Council is unable to reject Money or Budget Bills if they have passes the lower house first. o Current Government holds the Majority in the Upper and Lower Houses (Could mean that Responsible Government aspect is diminished) o The leader of the house is known as the President. o_official_portrait_of_president-elect_barack_obama_on_jan-_13-2/ Year 11 Legal Structure of the Victorian Parliament The Role of the Crown o Represented by the State Governor o Gives Royal Assent to Bills that have passes both houses o State Governors do not have the power to withhold royal assent (Why sign it in the first place?) o Has the power to dissolve a dysfunctional Government if a majority of members agree in the Legislative Assembly. (Vote of no-confidence) 1932/1947 o If both houses are dead locked in passing legislation an early election may be called. Year 11 Legal Comparison of State and Commonwealth Parliaments Year 11 Legal Situation in Victoria Results of 2014 election Legislative Assembly (Lower house) Labor 47 Liberal30 National Party8 Other1 Greeens2 Total88 Legislative Council (Upper House) Greens5 Labor14 Liberal10 Nationals6 DLP1 Sex Party1 Shooters/Fisheries2 Vote 1 Local Jobs1 Total40 Year 11 Legal Your Turn Complete questions 1 4 & 6 (page 25 of text) Year 11 Legal