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Part 3 of 4. Parliament and government. In this part you will learn 8 key words from the Australian citizenship test material. For each word, you will hear a simple meaning, an example and a memory tip. At the end there are three quick questions.

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minister

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A member of parliament who is responsible for an area of government.

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For example: The minister is responsible for health.

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Memory tip: A minister looks after one area of government, such as health.

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Cabinet

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The group of the most senior ministers.

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For example: Cabinet is the key decision-making body.

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Memory tip: Cabinet is a small group at the top. It holds the most senior ministers.

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opposition

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The party with the second most members. It checks the government.

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For example: The Leader of the Opposition leads that party.

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Memory tip: The opposition is second biggest. Its job is to check the government.

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coalition

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Two or more parties joining together.

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For example: Two parties formed a coalition.

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Memory tip: Co means together. A coalition is parties working together.

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independent

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A member of parliament who is not in a party.

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For example: An independent is not in any political party.

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Memory tip: An independent stands alone. No party.

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jury

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A group of ordinary people who decide guilty or not guilty.

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For example: She was called for jury service.

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Memory tip: A jury is ordinary people. They decide guilty or not guilty.

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magistrate

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A judge in a lower court.

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For example: The magistrate heard the case.

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Memory tip: A magistrate is a judge in a lower court.

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rule of law

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Everyone must obey the law. No one is above it.

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For example: The rule of law applies to the Prime Minister too.

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Memory tip: Nobody is above the law, not even the Prime Minister.

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Quick review. Look at each word and say it out loud: minister, Cabinet, opposition, coalition, independent, jury, magistrate, rule of law.

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Time for a quick quiz. Three questions about the words in this part. After each question, you will have five seconds to think.

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Question 1. What is the party or coalition with the second largest number of members in the House of Representatives called? A. The Cabinet. B. The Opposition. C. The Senate. D. The Crossbench.

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The answer is B. The Opposition. The party or coalition with the second largest number of members in the House of Representatives forms the Opposition.

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Question 2. What is the role of a jury? A. To decide the penalty for a crime. B. To write new laws. C. To arrest suspects. D. To listen to the evidence in a court case and decide if a person is guilty or not guilty.

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The answer is D. To listen to the evidence in a court case and decide if a person is guilty or not guilty. A jury is a group of ordinary Australian men and women who listen to the evidence in a court case and decide if a person is guilty or not guilty.

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Question 3. What does the Rule of Law mean in Australia? A. Only citizens must obey the law, while visitors and temporary residents are exempt. B. Judges can set aside laws they dislike. C. Government leaders are exempt from some laws while they hold public office. D. No person, group or religious rule is above the law.

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The answer is D. No person, group or religious rule is above the law. The Rule of Law means that no person, group or religious rule is above the law.

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That is the end of this part. Try the sample questions on our website, and say each word out loud in English. Good luck with your study.