Australian citizenship test: Three levels of government practice questions

Federal: tax, defence, immigration. State: hospitals, schools, police. Local, in a state: rubbish, local roads, libraries. A territory leader is a Chief Minister.

Question 1

In a state, collecting household rubbish is usually the work of

  1. the Australian Defence Force
  2. the local council
  3. the department that handles foreign affairs

Answer: the local council

Rubbish collection, local roads, parks and libraries are listed as local government work. Defence and foreign affairs belong to the Australian Government. In the Australian Capital Territory, the territory government carries local services of this kind.

Question 2

The leader of a state government is the Premier. The leader of a territory government is the

  1. Governor-General, who represents the King nationally
  2. Chief Minister
  3. Senator elected for that territory

Answer: Chief Minister

The leader of a state government is the Premier, and the leader of a territory government is the Chief Minister. The Governor-General is the King's representative for the Commonwealth, not the head of a territory government.

Question 3

Which difference does the resource draw between states and self-governing territories?

  1. Only a territory is allowed to collect income tax
  2. The Australian Government can alter or revoke a territory law
  3. A state parliament is not able to pass laws of its own

Answer: The Australian Government can alter or revoke a territory law

States have rights recognised by the Constitution and pass laws in their own right. Laws of a self-governing territory can be altered or revoked by the Australian Government. Income tax is a federal matter, not a territory one.