Australian Democracy

Question 1

Australian democratic history

Answer 1

Colonial Rule
- Colonies formed own govts
- Governor act on behalf of British monarch
- 1856 is NSW bicameral parliament first sitting
- British parliament still override + make laws for colonies
Federation
- Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act commenced 1st Jan 1901
- Most adult male Aussies (21+) = suffrage
- In most states FNP males X vote
- SA + WA = women could vote (some FNP women)
- Universal FNP suffrage = 1962
- Voting age lowered to 18 in 1973

Question 2

Accountability

Answer 2

Democratic Accountability
- Checks + balances
- Citizens hold parl. accountable
- Leg. holds exec. to account
- Monitor consequences of laws (both un/intended)
- Check if public money spent appropriately
- Strengthen integrity/combat corruption
- Transparent govt. + citizens access essential info
- Mechanisms/institutions hold govt. accountable
- Independent media
- Foreign powers/orgs. X determine govt. functions/policies
- eco./religious groups etc. X exercise power level with institutions
Westminster System
- PM = confidence of the HoR (can be removed)
- Govt. = accountable by Question Time etc.
- Govt. = formed by majority HoR
- Ministers = part of leg. + accountable by it
- independent public service/judiciary

Question 3

Functioning of government

Answer 3

Traits identified by The Economist
- trust from people
- integrity
- transparency
- accountability
- confidence in govt.
- representation
- citizens feel in control
Royal Commissions
- independent public inquiry
- highest form of inquiry
- public importance
- rare/exceptional situations
- why events happened
- who is accountable
- recommend changes
- summon witnesses
- request evidence
National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC)
- independent federal agency
- detect/investigate/report
- corrupt conduct
- educates public/public service
- commenced ops. on 1 Jul 2023

Question 4

Rule of law

Answer 4

• Set out by UN International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) 1976
• Includes:
  
  • known/accessible laws
  • presumption of innocence
  • open/independent/impartial judiciary
  • X retrospective laws
  • laws = made in open/transparent way
  • govt. agencies = models
  • fair/prompt trials
  • separation of powers
  • only punished in accordance with law
  • law/admin. = open to criticism
• NO ONE IS ABOVE THE LAW

Question 5

Participation

Answer 5

Compulsory Voting
- Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918
- over 90% eligible voters participate in federal election
- participation leads to better representation + parties consider entire electorate
Civic Participation
- often politics followed through media/social media
- write to MP/protest + petition/advise committees
Right to Take Part in Public Affairs and Elections
- right to stand for public office (18+ can run for elections)
- voting rights
- access to positions in public service
ICCPR
- freedom of expression
- right to peaceful assembly
- freedom of association
- right to participate in public affairs
- right to equality before the law
- minority rights

Question 6

Elections

Answer 6

Australian Electoral Commission (AEC)
- independent electoral umpire
- respected by all political actors
Compulsory Voting
- high participation rates
- increased legitimacy
Preferential Voting in HoR
- stable govts. + clear majorities
- encourage plurality
Proportional Representation in Senate
- plurality (independents/minority parties represented)

Question 7

Plurality

Answer 7

• refers to balanced representation of groups in politics + culture
• allows members to express beliefs freely
• many diff. types of ppl./beliefs/opinions/needs
• power shared amongst many groups leads to better outcomes
• through:
  
  • secret ballot
  • public affairs through representatives
  • periodic elections (vote/elected at)
  • access public service

Question 8

Civil rights

Answer 8

ICCPR (5 most important rights)
- right to life
- right to recognition before the law
- freedom of religion and belief
- freedom of expression
- right to equality before the law
Australian Constitution
- does not have Bill of Rights
Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC)
- federal body
- investigate human rights discrimination/complaints
- advise govts.
- submissions to inquiries
- independent reports to Un regarding Australian progress

Question 9

Characteristics of a healthy political culture

Answer 9

• popular support
• consensus/cohesion + stable/functioning democracy
• democratic processes/rule of law = most important
• public order
• democracy benefits eco. perf.
• participation in democracy (X just voting)
• belief that each vote counts
• trust
• civil civic discourse