AOS 1 Ch 1- The Australian Parliamentary System Flashcards
Bicameral
Two Houses of Parliament.
Cabinet
A policy making body which consists of the prime minister and senior government ministers who have been placed in charge of a government department.
Crown
The authority of the queen which is represented by the governor-general (fed) and the governor (state)
Government
Formed by the political party that achieves the majority of votes in the lower house.
Legislation
Laws made by parliament
Minister
A member of parliament who is a government representative
Parliament
The supreme law making body consisting of all elected members of both houses from all political parties and the crown’s representative.
Prime minister
The member of parliament who leads the political party that has formed government.
Representative government
A government that represents the view of the majority of the people.
Responsible government
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.
Royal assent
The signing of a proposed law by the Crown’s representative before it becomes law.
Separation of powers
Where the excessive, judicial and legislative powers are held by separate bodies.
Statute
An act of parliament.
Supremacy(sovereignty) of parliament
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.
Westminster principles
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.
What are the the 3 principles of the Australian parliamentary system?
- Representative government
- Responsible government
- Separation of powers
How does representative government work?
~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 does responsible government work?
~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.
What is the purpose for the separation of powers?
- Protect stability of government and democracy.
- Provide independence between bodies and avoid bias.
- Check on power of parliament.
What is the executive power?
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.
What is the legislative power?
The power to make laws which is vested in the parliament
What is the judicial power?
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.
Which powers are combined in practice?
The executive and the legislative power.
Eg. Giving royal assent to bills
Why must the legislative and judicial powers be kept separate?
To safeguard citizens from corruption in dispute resolution.
How many senators are there in the Senate?
76 altogether.
12 from each state and 2 from each territory.
What are the roles of the senate?
- Initiate and pass bills (except money bills).
- Act as State’s house.
- Act as a house of review
- Scrutinise legislation
What is the effectiveness of the senate?
- 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.
How many members in the House Of Reps?
150
Who does the House of reps consist of?
~Government
~Prime minister
~Opposition
~Leader of the opposition
~Ministers and shadow ministers
What are the roles of the House of Representatives?
- Initiate and make laws
- Determine the government
- Provide the principle of responsible government
- Represent the people
- Publicise and scrutinise government administration
- Control government expenditure
What are the functions of parliament?
- Make laws on behalf of the people.
- Provide the formation of government
- Provide a forum for debate.
- Scrutinise the government
- Delegate law-making power.
- Balance the books
What is the function of a committee?
To investigate the needs of the community in a particular area
What are the functions of the PM, Premiers and Ministers?
To appoint ministers for various portfolios
What is the function of the cabinet?
To decide general government policies and formulate bills
What is the effectiveness of the House Of Reps?
- 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.
What is the upper house in the Victorian parliament?
Legislative council
How many MLC’s are there in the Legislative council?
40 from 8 different regions
What is the role of the LC?
- Act as a house of review by scrutinising, debating, amending and rejecting legislation.
What is the lower house in the vic parliament?
Legislative assembly
How many MLAs in the LA?
88, 1 MLA for each of the 88 districts
What is the role if the LA?
- To make laws
2. To represent the views of the people
What is the role of the governor-general?
- Appoint the federal executive council
- Give Royal assent to bills
- Exercise reserve powers when needed
- Make delegated legislation
- Appoint judges to courts
- Designate times for parliamentary sessions.
- Dissolve HOR to initiate an election.
What is the role of the Governor?
- Act as part of the state executive council.
2. Exercise reserve powers when needed.
