What is the role of the Senate in the Australian Parliament?

• A. The Senate only handles ceremonial duties
• B. The Senate reviews legislation, represents states/territories, and can amend, block, or pass bills
• C. The Senate selects the Prime Minister
• D. The Senate governs local councils

Answer: (B)

The Senate acts as a house of review and balances law-making by representing the states and territories. It reviews proposed laws, debates them, and can shape them through amendments. If it supports a bill, it passes it; if not, it can block it or return it with changes for reconsideration. This gives the Senate real power to influence legislation beyond what is debated in the other house, and the equal representation of states and territories helps protect smaller regions in the federal system. The Senate isn’t where Prime Minister is chosen or where local councils are governed, so those roles belong to other parts of government.