Chapter 1- The Australian Parliamentary System Flashcards
❓❓❓what is a representative government?
- a government that represents the views of the majority
- representatives are voted in by the people
- if a government doesn’t represent the views of the majority, it is likely to be voted out at the next election
❓❓❓what is a responsible government?
- a government that is accountable to parliament and the voters of their department
- minsters are answerable for the decisions and actions of their department
- if their government loses support of the lower house, it must resign
- ministers can be questioned by other members of parliament about their activity, as well the activity of their department
- ministers must act with integrity, or can be demoted or forced to resign
E.g. Bronwyn Bishop was forced to resign as speaker due to the travel allowance rort
❓❓❓what is the separation of powers?
-the division of three powers
❓❓❓why is the separation of powers needed?
-powers must be exercised by different bodies so that they are kept separate, no single body has absolute power, and no branch can interfere with or control the operation of another power
❓❓❓what is the legislative power and who is it exercised by? (Separation of powers)
- power to make laws
- exercised by parliament
❓❓❓what is the executive power, and who is it exercised by? (Separation of powers)
- the power to govern the country
- exercised by the governor-general, and two relevant ministers
❓❓❓what is the judicial power, and who is it exercised by? (Separation of powers)
- the power to interpret and enforce laws
- exercised by the courts
☀️☀️☀️TO WHAT EXTENT ARE THE POWERS KEPT SEPARATE?
- legislative and executive are not completely separate because the government sits in parliament and is part of the legislative process
- judicial remains independent
❓❓❓what is the structure of the Australian parliament?
- crown (governor-general)
- upper house (senate)
- lower house (house of representatives)
❓❓❓what is the structure of the Victorian parliament?
- crown (governor)
- upper house (legislative council)
- lower house (legislative assembly)
❓❓❓what are the three main roles of the crown in the federal parliament?
- granting royal assent
- reserve powers
- being part of the executive council
❓❓❓explain “granting Royal assent” (role of crown)
-when the governor-general or governor signs a bill, making it a law
❓❓❓explain “reserve powers” (role of crown)
-the Governor-General ONLY can withhold Royal assent
❓❓❓explain “being part of the executive council” (role of crown)
- responsive.e for making delegated legislation while acting in council with relevant ministers
- checking delegated legislation
☀️☀️☀️ROLE OF THE CROWN
Also:
- dismiss or swear in prime minister/premier
- issue writs for elections
- ceremonial duties
❓❓❓what is the role of the crown in state parliament?
-the same as federal parliament, but cannot withhold Royal assent
❓❓❓what is the role of the lower house in federal parliament?
- introduce most bills into parliament
- debate bills
- determines government
❓❓❓what is the role of the lower house in state parliament?
- introduce most bills into parliament
- debate bills
- determines government
❓❓❓what is the role of the upper house in federal parliament?
- reviews bills passed by lower house (house of review)
- represents views of the states as they review bills (states house)
❓❓❓what is the role of the upper house in state parliament?
-reviews bills passed by lower house
❓❓❓what are the five main roles of the House Of Representatives?
- making laws
- determining government
- represent the people (representative government)
- scrutinise actions of government (responsible government)
- controlling government spending
❓❓❓explain “making laws” (role of house of reps.)
- main function of this house
- any member can introduce a proposal for a new law
- to become a law, a proposal must receive approval from both House of Parliament
❓❓❓explain “determining government” (role of house of reps.)
-the party with the majority in the lower house forms government and it must maintain the support of the lower house to remain in government
❓❓❓explain “represent the people” (role of house of reps.)
-members of the House of Representatives are elected to represent areas of approximately the same number of electors
❓❓❓explain “scrutinise actions of government” (role of house of reps.)
-individual members of the House of Representatives may present views of their electorate by raising questions with ministers during question time
❓❓❓ explain “controlling government spending” (role of house of reps.)
-government can only collect taxes or allocate the spending of public money if a law is passed by parliament
❓❓❓explain the two main roles of the senate
‘HOUSE OF REVIEW’
-reviews legislation passed by the lower house
‘STATES HOUSE’
-upholds the interests of the states to ensure that less populous states are not being exploited (reason why each state has 12 senators regardless of size)
❓❓❓what are two reason why the senate may not effectively perform its role as a ‘house of review’?
- hostile senate
- rubber stamp
❓❓❓explain a “hostile senate” (effectiveness of senate)
- when the opposition holds the majority in the upper house
- the upper house is then more likely to review bills passed more carefully
❓❓❓explain a “rubber stamp” (effectiveness of senate)
-when the government holds a majority in the upper house and merely passes the bills made in the lower house without adequately scrutinising them
❓❓❓explain the effectiveness of the senate as a “states’ house”
-senators tend to vote according o the dictates of their party, rather than in the interests of their states
❓❓❓name the three legal principles
- representative government
- responsible government
- separation of powers
