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au_213
Government and the Law › Elections
What does 'double dissolution' mean in Australian politics?
- When the Governor-General dissolves both houses of Parliament and calls a general election
- When Parliament votes to remove the monarch
- When two states merge their parliaments
- When both the Prime Minister and Deputy resign
Why this is the correct answer
A double dissolution occurs when the Governor-General dissolves both the Senate and the House of Representatives simultaneously, triggering a full general election for every seat in Parliament. This power is used in exceptional circumstances, typically when the Senate has repeatedly blocked government legislation.