How is a government formed after an election?

• A. The leader of the party or coalition with the majority is invited by the Governor-General to form government and become Prime Minister.
• B. The opposition automatically forms government.
• C. The public votes again to confirm the government.
• D. The Parliament appoints the Prime Minister directly.

Answer: (B)

After an election, the government is formed by the party or coalition that can command the confidence of the majority of the members in the House of Representatives. The leader of that party or coalition is invited by the Governor-General to form government and becomes Prime Minister. If no party has a clear majority, negotiations can lead to a minority government or a coalition, and the government must maintain the support of the House to stay in power. The opposition does not automatically form government; they stand as the alternative and would form government only if they win the confidence of the House in a future vote. The public does not vote again to confirm the government, and the Parliament does not appoint the Prime Minister directly—the Governor-General does so on the elected leader’s advice.