WACE Politics and Law Practice Questions

Model answer. Representative government means that the people elect members of Parliament to make laws on their behalf, as required by Section 7 (senators 'directly chosen by the people' of each State) and Section 24 (members of the House of Representatives 'directly chosen by the people of the Commonwealth'). Responsible government, by contrast, concerns the relationship between the executive and the legislature: ministers must be members of Parliament (Section 64) and the government holds office only while it keeps the confidence of the House of Representatives. The difference, then, is that representative government makes Parliament accountable to the electors, whereas responsible government makes the executive accountable to Parliament — for example, a minister who misleads the House is expected to correct the record or resign, an obligation that has nothing to do with how that minister was elected.

Marking guide (3 marks). 3 – explains one difference, clearly showing what each principle means and how they differ (for example by reference to sections or an example). 2 – outlines one difference with limited explanation. 1 – makes a general statement about either principle. Answers could include: who is accountable to whom; written basis (ss 7 and 24) versus largely conventional basis (only s 64 written); what each controls (composition of Parliament versus conduct of the executive). Accept other relevant answers.