AOS 1 - DP 1 + 2 Flashcards
Australian parliamentary system is based on -
Westminster system
Head of State
The Queen
represented at federal level by the GG and at state level by the AG
Roles of the HoR
Determines government of the day Initiates and makes most bills Amends existing laws revokes outdated laws Represents the people Publicises and scrutinises government administration Controls government expenditure
Structure of the HoR
150 members from electorates with about equal amounts of electors
Three year terms
Majority party forms government and second largest forms opposition
Ministers are chosen from within government
Minority government
The government doesnt hold more than 50 percent of seats in the HoR
Structure and role of the Senate
76 - 12 from each state and 2 from each territory, elected for 6 years
Represents the states
House of review
Can also make laws and initiate all bills other than money bills (appropriation bills)
House of obstruction, hostile or rubber stamp definition
Obstruction - Bills get rejected because the government doesnt hold a majority for political reasons
Rubber stamp - Government holds majority and is able to pass bills without much debate
Principles of the australian parliamentary system
representative government
responsible government
separation of powers
Effectiveness of the senate
Tends to vote along party lines rubber stamp hostile Balance of power by one member Provides checks and balances on government to ensure power is not abused
Governor general selection
chosen by the prime minister who then recommends them to the queen and the queen always accepts
Role of the GG
Appoints prime minister and senior ministers to establish:
- departments of government
- ministers
Gives riyal assent to all passed Bills
s58 - GG can withold royal assent
Ensures the democratic system operates effectively
GG reserve powers
Can open, summon and dissolve parliament and also prorogue a current session
exercised under the advice of ministers
Victorian Parliament structure
Bicameral
Lower - LA
Upper - LC
Legislative Assembly role and structure
88 members from 88 electorates
Premier - head of government - majority in the house
Will of the majority
4 year terms
LC role and structure
40 members - 5 from 8 regions
Represents regional interests
Reviews legislation passed by lower house
Cannot block supply bills
can initiate legislation but not appropriation bills
Governor of victoria
Gives royal assent Constitutional responsibilities: -Protects the victorian constitution and makes sure the parliament is acting under the constitution - Reserve powers Ceremonial duties Community engagement
Functions of parliament and what it consists of
Primary law making body All members of both houses from all political parties and the crown's representatives Includes: committees government opposition prime minister, premiers and ministers cabinet Function: make laws on behalf of the people formation of government forum and debates scrutinise actions of government balance the books - revenue and expenditure
Representative government
REFLECTS the views of the people
essential for democracy
chosen by the people
Responsible government
government’s ACCOUNTABILITY to the people
ministers must maintain the confidence of government
ministers being questioned
resignation of ministers and government
Separation of Powers
Principle which separates 3 different types of power and the need for these powers to be held by different bodies so that noone has absolute control
Legislative arm, Executive arm, judicial arm
Executive power
Power to administer laws - cabinet
Manage the business of government - GG
Legislative Power
power to make laws - parliament
Judicial Power
Power to enforce the law and settle disputes - Courts and Tribunals
This power is independent and separate from the legislative and judicial arms
Reasons for the separation of powers
Each arm provides checks on eachother
protects stability of government and freedom of people
independence between bodies checks on power of government to ensure it doesnt go outside its area of power
Effectiveness of parliament
Rubber stamp
Party lines
public debate
restrictions on parliament jurisdiction
