What does the principle of ‘separation of powers’ refer to?

The principle of 'separation of powers' refers to the division of government responsibilities into distinct branches. This concept is fundamental to many democratic systems, including that of Australia, where the government is divided into three branches: the legislative, the executive, and the judiciary.

Each branch has its own distinct powers and responsibilities to prevent the concentration of power in one area of government and to provide a system of checks and balances. For example, the legislature is responsible for making laws, the executive implements and enforces those laws, and the judiciary interprets the laws and ensures they are applied fairly. This separation not only promotes accountability but also protects individual freedoms by ensuring that no single branch has unchecked power.

The other options refer to different aspects of governance. The distribution of powers between federal and state governments pertains to federalism, which is a different concept. The process of enacting legislation describes how laws are created but does not address the structure of government itself. Establishing independent regulatory bodies involves some degree of separation of powers but is not the definition of the principle. Thus, the choice highlighting the division of government responsibilities accurately captures the essence of the separation of powers.