7-Strengths And Weaknesses Of Parliament Flashcards
Discuss how having access to experts helps parliament. Provide an example.
The fact that parliament has access to experts (such as a the VLRC), in can consult widely, therefore can make more informed decisions.
What is the flip to having access to experts? Provide an example.
Not all recommendations made by these experts are accepted. In a recent VLRC investigation relating to burial rights, only 4 out of the 76 recommendations were accepted.
In such cases, this is a waste of time and money.
Discuss how having a set legislative process benefits parliament. Provide an example.
Having a set legislative process creates the best possible law, because it provides many opportunities to debate and amend bills. This is evident in the bicameral structure of parliament.
This bicameral structure also ensures that both electorates and states are represented.
What is the flip to having a set legislative process?
If government doesn’t hold the majority in the upper house, the opposition may frustrate the legislative process for their own political advantage.
This is time consuming and delays legislative change.
Discuss how the principle of representative government benefits parliament.
Because Australia is founded on the principle of representative government, the people’s interests and values are represented in parliament.
What is the flip to having representative government? Provide an example.
MPs may avoid passing controversial bills in fear of losing popularity. This has been evident in topics such as abortion and euthanasia.
Therefore, the people are not accurately represented.
How does the federal parliament’s powers to override the state benefit parliament as a whole? Provide an example.
As stated in Section 109 of the Commonwealth Constitution, federal parliament can override the decisions of the state parliament when legislating in the same area of law.
This prevents inconsistencies and misinterpretations between laws.
Identify 5 strengths of parliament as a lawmaker.
- Has access to experts
- Represents people
- Federal parliament override state
- Has set legislative process
- Can act quickly if necessary
What is the flip to the overriding powers of the federal parliament?
When the federal parliament overrides the state parliament, this limits the state’s lawmaking powers.
How is parliament’s ability to act quickly beneficial to parliament?
Because parliament is able to act quickly (can be summoned by the Governor-General), it can respond to urgent legislation or issues effectively.
What is the flip to parliament’s ability to act quickly? Provide an example.
Parliament is not always sitting. In 2015, the House of Representatives was in session for only 75 days. This delays the passage of urgent legislation.
