Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

12 Legal Studies > AOS 1 Ch 1- The Australian Parliamentary System > Flashcards

AOS 1 Ch 1- The Australian Parliamentary System Flashcards

1
Q

Bicameral

A

Two Houses of Parliament.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Cabinet

A

A policy making body which consists of the prime minister and senior government ministers who have been placed in charge of a government department.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Crown

A

The authority of the queen which is represented by the governor-general (fed) and the governor (state)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Government

A

Formed by the political party that achieves the majority of votes in the lower house.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Legislation

A

Laws made by parliament

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Minister

A

A member of parliament who is a government representative

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Parliament

A

The supreme law making body consisting of all elected members of both houses from all political parties and the crown’s representative.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Prime minister

A

The member of parliament who leads the political party that has formed government.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Representative government

A

A government that represents the view of the majority of the people.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Responsible government

A

Where the executive is accountable to parliament and can on,y continue to govern if it has the support of the lower House of Parliament.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Royal assent

A

The signing of a proposed law by the Crown’s representative before it becomes law.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Separation of powers

A

Where the excessive, judicial and legislative powers are held by separate bodies.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Statute

A

An act of parliament.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Supremacy(sovereignty) of parliament

A

The concept that the final law making power rests with parliament whereby parliament can repeal and amend its own previous legislation and can pass legislation to override common law.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Westminster principles

A

The structure of parliament, principles of the parliamentary system and the roles played by the crown and Houses of Parliament that were inherited from the United Kingdom’s Westminster System.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What are the the 3 principles of the Australian parliamentary system?

A
  1. Representative government
  2. Responsible government
  3. Separation of powers
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

How does representative government work?

A

~Constitution states that elections must be held to allow members of the public to choose members of the senate and HOR.

~Parliament must be answerable to the people.

~Bicameral system allows each house to review the other and ensure they are acting according to the public interest.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

How does responsible government work?

A

~It must be answerable to the people and parliament for its actions.

~’Ministerial Accountability’ may be exercised.

~Government must resign if they lose support from the lower house.

~Ministers must resign if their duties aren’t carried out with integrity.

19
Q

What is the purpose for the separation of powers?

A
  1. Protect stability of government and democracy.
  2. Provide independence between bodies and avoid bias.
  3. Check on power of parliament.
20
Q

What is the executive power?

A

The power to administer laws and manage the business of government which is vested in the governor-general. The prime minister and senior ministers exercise this power in practise.

21
Q

What is the legislative power?

A

The power to make laws which is vested in the parliament

22
Q

What is the judicial power?

A

The power to enforce law and settle disputes which is given to courts and tribunals. It is vested in the high court and federal courts.

23
Q

Which powers are combined in practice?

A

The executive and the legislative power.

Eg. Giving royal assent to bills

24
Q

Why must the legislative and judicial powers be kept separate?

A

To safeguard citizens from corruption in dispute resolution.

25
Q

How many senators are there in the Senate?

A

76 altogether.

12 from each state and 2 from each territory.

26
Q

What are the roles of the senate?

A
  1. Initiate and pass bills (except money bills).
  2. Act as State’s house.
  3. Act as a house of review
  4. Scrutinise legislation
27
Q

What is the effectiveness of the senate?

A
  • Senators can vote according to the dictates of their party which may just act as a ‘rubber stamp’.
  • If there is a ‘hostile senate’ the legislation is more likely to be reviewed very carefully.
28
Q

How many members in the House Of Reps?

A

150

29
Q

Who does the House of reps consist of?

A

~Government

~Prime minister

~Opposition

~Leader of the opposition

~Ministers and shadow ministers

30
Q

What are the roles of the House of Representatives?

A
  1. Initiate and make laws
  2. Determine the government
  3. Provide the principle of responsible government
  4. Represent the people
  5. Publicise and scrutinise government administration
  6. Control government expenditure
31
Q

What are the functions of parliament?

A
  1. Make laws on behalf of the people.
  2. Provide the formation of government
  3. Provide a forum for debate.
  4. Scrutinise the government
  5. Delegate law-making power.
  6. Balance the books
32
Q

What is the function of a committee?

A

To investigate the needs of the community in a particular area

33
Q

What are the functions of the PM, Premiers and Ministers?

A

To appoint ministers for various portfolios

34
Q

What is the function of the cabinet?

A

To decide general government policies and formulate bills

35
Q

What is the effectiveness of the House Of Reps?

A
  • If gov holds majority of seats the governing party can pass legislation quickly, however, there is less debate for major issues.
  • A hung parliament can take longer to pass legislation, however, more complex negotiations take place which can result in more effective legislation.
36
Q

What is the upper house in the Victorian parliament?

A

Legislative council

37
Q

How many MLC’s are there in the Legislative council?

A

40 from 8 different regions

38
Q

What is the role of the LC?

A
  1. Act as a house of review by scrutinising, debating, amending and rejecting legislation.
39
Q

What is the lower house in the vic parliament?

A

Legislative assembly

40
Q

How many MLAs in the LA?

A

88, 1 MLA for each of the 88 districts

41
Q

What is the role if the LA?

A
  1. To make laws

2. To represent the views of the people

42
Q

What is the role of the governor-general?

A
  1. Appoint the federal executive council
  2. Give Royal assent to bills
  3. Exercise reserve powers when needed
  4. Make delegated legislation
  5. Appoint judges to courts
  6. Designate times for parliamentary sessions.
  7. Dissolve HOR to initiate an election.
43
Q

What is the role of the Governor?

A
  1. Act as part of the state executive council.

2. Exercise reserve powers when needed.

12 Legal Studies (5 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions