Parties and forming government
The party or coalition with a majority in the House of Representatives forms government, and its leader becomes Prime Minister. The second largest group becomes the Opposition, and members without a party are called independents.
What to remember
- The party or coalition with a majority in the House of Representatives forms government; its leader becomes Prime Minister.
- The second largest becomes the Opposition, led by the Leader of the Opposition.
- The Governor-General approves the PM and ministers; the most senior ministers form the Cabinet.
- Members of parliament who don't belong to a party are 'independents'.
Sample questions
What is a political party?Show answer
- A celebration held after an election
- A group of people who share similar ideas about how a country should be governed
- A government department
A group of people who share similar ideas about how a country should be 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.
What are members of parliament who do not belong to any political party called?Show answer
- Senators
- Ministers
- Independents
Independents. Most parliamentarians belong to political parties. Those who don't are called 'independents'.
After a federal election, who generally forms the Australian Government?Show answer
- The party chosen by the Governor-General's personal preference
- The party with the most senators
- The party or coalition with the majority of members in the House of Representatives
The party or coalition with the majority of members in the House of Representatives. The Australian Government is generally formed by the party or coalition with the majority of members in the House of Representatives.
Source: Australian Citizenship: Our Common Bond, p. 30. Read the full booklet on the Home Affairs website.