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Three Branches of Government

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Three Branches of Government

A new community building is being planned. Tahnee, Isla and Mei are learning how Australia’s three branches of government have different roles. Read the information and solve each task. Think about how the branches help keep government accountable.

How the branches work

Australia’s system of government separates important responsibilities across three branches. The branch responsible for making and changing laws includes, at the federal level, Parliament, which has the House of Representatives and the Senate. The executive branch puts laws and government decisions into action. It includes the Prime Minister, ministers and government departments. The judiciary interprets and applies the law in court cases. Judges must make decisions independently. These branches have different jobs, but they can affect and check one another. Australia’s arrangements are not a perfect separation: for example, ministers are also members of Parliament.

At the building site

The government is considering a new national law requiring stronger safety barriers at large building sites. Parliament debates and votes on the proposal. If it becomes law, government departments organise how it will be put into practice. Later, a court may hear a case about what the law means or whether it applies to a particular situation.

1.Which branch debates and votes on the proposed safety law? Choose one.

Legislative
Executive
Judiciary

2.A government department arranges inspections to check that building sites follow the new law. Which branch is mainly putting the law into action?

Legislative
Executive
Judiciary

3.A court considers what the phrase “large building site” means in a case. Which branch is doing this work?

Legislative
Executive
Judiciary

4.Match each branch to its main role. Write the correct letter beside each branch: A. interprets and applies laws in court; B. puts laws and decisions into action; C. makes and changes laws.

Legislative
Executive
Judiciary

5.True or false: The judiciary is meant to make court decisions independently.

TrueFalse

6.Tahnee says, “The Prime Minister and ministers belong only to the executive branch and have no connection to Parliament.” Is this fully accurate? Explain using the information above.

7.Isla says, “The court should decide what the law means, while Parliament should change the law if it wants different rules.” Which two branches is she describing, and what is each branch’s role?

8.Mei wonders why it can be useful for different branches to have different jobs. Give one reason this arrangement can help prevent power from being misused.

9.Put these events in order by numbering them 1–3: a court interprets the law; Parliament votes on a proposed law; a government department puts the law into action.

10.Imagine a building-site rule seems unclear. Write one sentence explaining which branch could interpret the rule in a court case, and one sentence naming the branch that could change the law if a change were needed.