Australian Year 10 Civics Practice Test

Responsibility here means the executive government must have the support of the elected representatives and be answerable to Parliament. In Australia, the Prime Minister and cabinet are drawn from members of Parliament and govern only while they retain the confidence of the majority in the House of Representatives. They make decisions based on the advice of ministers who are themselves MPs or senators, and if Parliament loses confidence, the government should resign or call an election. The Governor-General acts on their advice but the real political power rests with those elected representatives, keeping the government accountable. This is why the description that the executive must maintain the House’s confidence and govern on the advice of ministers who are members of Parliament best captures responsible government.