Chapter 11.2

Question 1

united nation

Answer 1

a major international
organisation established after the Second World War to maintain international
peace, security and
cooperation among
nations

Question 2

international treaty

Answer 2

a legally binding
agreement between
countries or
intergovernmental
organisations, in which
they undertake to follow
the obligations set
out in the agreement
and include them
in their own local
laws (also known
as an international
convention)

Question 3

ratify (ratification)

Answer 3

confirmation by a
nation’s parliament
of its approval of
an international
treaty signed by its
government. The
parliament expressly
passes legislation that
requires it by law to
adopt the various rights
and responsibilities set
out in the treaty

Question 4

introduction to international pressures

Answer 4

International pressures are demands or forces applied to parliaments to persuade them to make (or
not make) law to address matters of international concern.
* Australia is part of the global community and plays a key role in addressing global
concerns. It is often a signatory to international agreements and has passed
legislation to formally recognise its commitments under treaties.
* As an active participant in the global community, Australia can sometimes be
subjected to international pressures to change the law, or not change the law. This
can include laws relating to terrorism, climate change or human rights.
* Pressures can come from international sources, such as the UN and Amnesty
International, or from local sources, such as individuals and local bodies and
organisations.
* Examples in the past have included putting pressure on parliament to address the
growing concern of climate change, and to change the age of criminal responsibility.

Question 5

international pressure

Answer 5

demands made on
parliaments, from
within Australia or
beyond, to make (or
not make) laws that
address matters of
international concern

Question 6

sources of international political pressure

Answer 6

• local activists who organise petitions for change
• international activists who seek to generate change across the globe. For example, Greta
  Thunberg is a Swedish environmental activist who challenges countries and world leaders to do
  more to tackle climate change
• other countries, which may urge Australia to change its laws or which may criticise Australia
  in relation to its legislative reform. For example, in the past the United States has encouraged
  Australia to address issues arising out of China’s influence in the region
• the UN or one of its bodies, such as the Economic and Social Council. For example, the UN has in
  the past criticised the Australian Government with respect to the treatment of asylum seekers
• non-government organisations (NGOs) such as Amnesty International and Human Rights
  Watch. For example, Human Rights Watch releases an annual report that looks at global human
  rights issues and practices around the globe. In the past it has criticised Australia in relation to the
  protection of rights, such as protecting the rights of children
• large transnational corporations (TNCs) including Meta (which operates Facebook) and
  Google. For example, Meta ran a public campaign against prop

may of these pressure are intended to force governments to implement change

Question 7

Non-government organisation (NGO)

Answer 7

an organisation,
generally not-forprofit, that functions
independently of any
government; NGOs
often do humanitarian
work abroad and
receive government
funding

Question 8

transnational corporation (TNC)

Answer 8

a company that
operates globally,
across international
boundaries