Ch. 1 - Sac study

Question 1

What are the 3 principles of the Australian parliamentary system?

Answer 1

Representative government, responsible government, seperation of powers

Question 2

How is a representative government achieved?

Answer 2

Regular & fair elections so the people can vote for politicians to represent them in parliament

Question 3

How does parliament reflect the principle of representative government? (2)

Answer 3

• The bicameral system contributes towards a more representative government because the LH reflects the will of the people
• The government needs to initiate laws that are supported by the majority of people

Question 4

How does parliament reflect the principle of responsible government? (3)

Answer 4

• Senate is able to scrutinise Bills before they become a law, helps ensure the gov. is being accountable to the people
• Ministers are responsible to parliament, therefore to the people. members of parliament have opportunity during Q time to ask ministers about their activities & those of their departments
• opportunities for public scrutiny of the law-making process so public can hold gov. accountable for its actions

Question 5

Why is there separation of powers?

Answer 5

The Constitution protects citizens and Australia as a community by making sure no one person or group has absolute power

Question 6

What are the three types of powers?

Answer 6

Legislative, executive, judicial

Question 7

What is Legislative power and who holds that power?

Answer 7

Legislative power is the power to pass legislation and it is held by parliament

Question 8

What is executive power and who holds that power?

Answer 8

The power to administer the laws and manage the business of government. In theory the power is vested in Queens reps but in practice it is cabinet (PM & senior ministers)

Question 9

What is judicial power and who holds that power? (DES)

Answer 9

The power to decide if a law has been broken, enforce the law and settle disputes. This power is held by the courts & tribunals, which are independent of the executive and legislative powers

Question 10

Does Australia have a true separation of powers?

Answer 10

• In constitution the leg. executive power are describes as separate, which provides independence between the bodies that make the law (parliaments) and the ones who enforce the law (courts)
• In reality the duties of the legislator and the executor are combined so not true seperation

Question 11

What is the structure of the Commonwealth Parliament?

Answer 11

The queens rep - the governor general (Peter Cosgrove)
the UH - the Senate (76)
the LH - the house of reps (150)

Question 12

What are the 3 main roles of the house of reps in law making?

Answer 12

• Initiate Bills- most bills start in LH, all $$ do/representative government
• Determine the government- usually political party that wins majority of seats in LH forms gov
• Act as a house of review: review bills introduced in Senate

Question 13

What are the 2 main roles of the Senate in law making?

Answer 13

• Initiate and pass Bills (other than $$): ones that have passed through house of reps

Act as a house of review: has task of reviewing bills already passed in house of reps (excluding $$ bills) ensures bills are not rushed through parliament

Question 14

How effective is the Senate as a states house? (2)

Answer 14

• There is an equal number of Senators from each state
• however Senators tend to vote on party lines, which means they aren’t protecting the interests of the states. But it is hopes that they protect their state when needed.

Question 15

What is the structure of the Victorian Parliament?

Answer 15

The queens rep - governor (Linda Dessau)
The UH - Legislative Counsel (40)
The LH - Legislative Assembly (88)

Question 16

What are the 2 main roles of the Legislative Assembly?

Answer 16

• Main role is to make laws, most bills initiated here + all $$ bills
• Members elected to represent the interests of the people (representative gov.)

Question 17

What are 2 main roles of the Legislative Counsel?

Answer 17

• Act as a house of review - for legislation that has been passed in legislative assembly (responsible government)
• Initiate and pass Bills: Able to initiate Bills (other than money bills) that have already passed legislative assembly

Question 18

What are the 5 main functions of parliament? (MPPSD)

Answer 18

• Make laws on behalf of the people
• Provide for the formation of government
• Provide a forum for popular representation and debate
• Scrutinise the actions of government
• Delegate some of its law- making power to subordinate bodies

Question 19

How effective is the Senate as a house of review if there is a hostile senate?

Answer 19

If there is a hostile senate (controlled by the opposition, where the government does not enjoy the majority) it allows for more debate & scrutiny of Bills in the Senate.
However, this can be too obstructionist because the government cannot pass their legislative program as quickly

Question 20

How effective is the Senate as a house of review if there is a ‘rubber stamp’?

Answer 20

If the government controls the UH, it tends to be a ‘rubber stamp’ merely confirming the decisions made in the LH, leading to less scrutiny and debate.
However, the government is able to pass their legislative program faster.

Question 21

What are 2 similarities between the Vic parliament and the Commonwealth parliament?

Answer 21

• They both have a queens rep, UH & LH

- The names differ in state & Commonwealth parliament

Question 22

What are 2 differences between Parliament and Government?

Answer 22

• Parliament is made up up of all elected members of the UH, LH and the Crowns rep whereas government is formed by the political party that holds the majority of seats in the LH.
• Gov formulate propose laws whereas Parliament passes laws

Question 23

What is the role of the governor general? (3)

Answer 23

• showing approval by granting royal assent, now an Act

- Being a member of the executive council which is responsible for making delegate legislation

Question 24

what are 2 differences between the vic parliament and commonwealth parliament?

Answer 24

• Each member of the house of reps is elected for 3yrs, the PM decides the time of the election
• Each member of the legislative assembly is elected for 4yrs, with the election being held at the same time every year