AUS Constitution - SoP, representive and responsible gov. a

Question 1

Levels of Gov

levels

Answer 1

Federal, state and local

Question 2

What is the role of federal gov.

representative gov. - exclusive powers

Answer 2

Federal gov. makes laws that address issues that affect the entire nation
e.g immigration, taxation, postal services, defence forces and airports

section 51 establishes federal gov. powers

Question 3

what is the role of state gov.

representive gov. - residual powers

Answer 3

State gov. can pass laws in any areas of the state not listed in Aus constitution
e.g Eductation, hospitals, law courts, police, emergency services and railways.

Question 4

What is the role of the local gov.

representive gov - shire/council

Answer 4

Allowed to pass laws and regulations that aply to the local area
e.g town planning, local roads, public libraries rubbish and sewage disposals
the city council is reponsible for local matter and makes laws reflectant on the communities needs and wants without state approval

Question 5

Seperation of powers

Answer 5

SOP requires all 3 arms of gov. to be seperate and ensure no individual body/group has complete control therefore the legislative, executive and judiciary powers are strictly seperate

Question 6

What are the branches of gov.

Answer 6

Legislative, Executive and Judicial

Question 7

what is the role of the Legislative branch

Answer 7

parliament as a lawmaking body - bills go through a rigurous process in parliament (HOR & senate) to create laws

Question 8

what is the role of the execurtive branch

Answer 8

the cabinet has the power of encorcing and administering the laws by using police forces

Question 9

what is the role of the judicial branch

Answer 9

role is to interpret and apply the law in courts to carry out an appropriate punishment for those who break the law - without bias

Question 10

what is the definition of representative gov.

Answer 10

exists to represent the people/nation therefore they must act in the best interest of the people and make laws to keep the peace and for the good of governance

Question 11

define responsible gov

Answer 11

A responsible government is accountable to the people’s elected representatives for its actions - the SoP works together with the responsible government principle to guide the way the law is made and managed by the parliament

Question 12

Define a democracy

Answer 12

A democracy is a government by the people who have choose governing officials to have the authority to deliberate and decide legislation

Question 13

What is a referendum

Answer 13

Any change to the constitution requires a referendum and approval of a majority of voters nationwide - they must vote to a direct question presented to the nation for their approval or rejection.

Question 14

define double dissolution

Answer 14

the termination of the HoR and the Senate by the Govenor-General and calling of new elections for both houses

Question 15

define joint sitting

Answer 15

both houses of parliament meet together to make a decision on a proposed law on which the two houses, sitting seperately, have not been able to agree on

Question 16

define Bicameral

Answer 16

parliament consisting fo two houses of parliament

Question 17

difne Bicameral

Answer 17

parliament consisting of two houses - Hor and Senate

Question 18

defien unicameral

Answer 18

a system of gov. consisting of only one parliament - only in QLD

Question 19

define rule of law

Answer 19

rule of law where it is made on fairly balanced individual rights of justice, to be transparent and interpretable by courts and judges, as well as being consistent and stable where the Australian society has clarity and confidence in the law, enforcements and decisions

Question 20

define just and equitable outcomes

Answer 20

Aim of law is to achieve equal and equitable outcome and to treat all citizens equally before the law - Everyone should be treated equally (especially before the law) and everyone has access to the same legal rights and opportunities

Question 21

deinfie concurrent powers

Answer 21

powers under the constitution that may be exercised by both Federal and the states.