Chapter 3 Australia's Blended Constitution EMMA Flashcards
how did Aboriginal Australians govern
with 700 language groups and 500 clan groups
why did Australia ask for a self government to be granted to their colonies
the thought of one union composed of equal parts
- constitutional marriage
constitutional marriage
to marry the new and the old world ideas
who was constitutional marriage made up of
- old world parent - Britain
- new world cousin - US (radical political ideas)
- borrowed - Switzerland and Canada
- constitutional blues
what did very early Australian governments have
no citizens, representatives, rule of law separation of powers or constitutional limits
what happened between 1856 - 1890
all 6 colonies achieved responsible government
what were the 4 issues that lead to federalism in Australia
concerns for…
- defence (other powers)
- inter-colonial trade (trade barriers)
- asian immigration (threatened white Australia)
- Australian identity
Australian defence concerns
- security of colonies threatened
- Britian’s naval power was no longer unchallenging in the pacific
- Germany and Russia
Australian trade concerns
- 19th century colonies expanded rapidly
- transport systems began to link up = quicker communication and more efficient trade
- free trade didn’t exist due to intercolonial trade
Australian fear of asian immigration concerns
- gold rush = chinese migrants
- threatened a “white Australia”
- colonies had differing laws on migration
Australian identity
- australian born
- australian publications helped to develop australian identity
- australian artists, poets and authors created an ‘australian identity’
how did these issues lead to federation
these issues brought the colonial leaders together to form a union
what did Australia adopt from the British Westminster system
- the crown/head of state/monarch (constitutional)
- the Governor General
- bicameral parliament
- executive/responsible parliamentary government
- westminster conventions
- english common law
- representative government
- legislature process
- constitutionalism
where did Australia’s bicameral parliament originate
- British lower and upper legislative houses
- house of commons (LH) - elected by people and executive is drawn from
- house of lords (upper house) - based on inheritance and appointment
what is similar about Australia and Britain’s bicameral parliament
both the house of reps and the house of commons
- both the lower house
- both elected by the people
- both form government
- both are where the executive are drawn from
- both are the “peoples” house
what is different about Australia and Britain’s bicameral parliament
both senate and house of lords are the upper house
- house of lords inherits power is not elected
- senate is elected and is based of the US’s upper house
what are the 3 executive parts Australia adopted from Britain
- formal constitutional executive - crown and GG
- real or political executive - PM and cabinet
- administrative executive - public service
what is the most central part of the Australian political and legal system adopted by Britain
westminster convention - rules (not written in constitution)
what are some westminster conventions adopted by Australia
- executive government must have confidence of the lower house
- money bills are called appropriation bills and can’t form in the senate
- individual and collective ministerial responsibility
- royal assent by GG
what are the 3 steps of passing a bill Australia inherited from Britain
- passed in lower house
- passed in senate
- signed by governor general;
