Civics

Question 1

Constitutional Monarchy

Answer 1

A constitutional monarchy, is a system of government where the head of state is an inherited position (monarch), but their powers are limited by a constitution.

Question 2

The Constitution and the High Court

Answer 2

The Australian Constitution cam into force on the 1st of January 1901, and defines the powers of the Commonwealth government.
The constitution is the supreme law of the country, that outlines the basic principles and powers of teh government.

Question 3

Bicameral Parliament

Answer 3

Commonwealth parliament and all state parliaments (apart from Queensland) are bicameral meaning they have two houses.
These consist of the Crown, a lower house and an upper house. In federal government, the lower house is the House of Representatives, and the upper house is the Senate.

Question 4

Federalism

Answer 4

Federalism is the process by which the powers are divided between local, state and federal government.

Question 5

Division of Power

Answer 5

The division of powers is the distribution of powers between state and federal governments.
The constitution lays out powers for the federal government, but the rest is left to the states and local governments.

Question 6

Accountability

Answer 6

Accountability means that the government must be responsible and answerable to the people.
One way they’re held accountable is through the process of parliamentary question time, where members of parliament are given the opportunity to question the governments policies and actions.
We also ensure our governments are accountable by stating that any member of the government that is dishonourable/irresponsible must resign.

Question 7

Representative government

Answer 7

We also have a representative government, meaning our parliament must make laws that reflect the values of the people.

Question 8

Protection of rights

Answer 8

Our system of government is a liberal democracy, meaning it aims to protect individual freedoms and rights, and limit government control.
Parliament can make laws, but they shouldn’t make laws that are excessive or overly limit the actions of individuals.

Question 9

Separation of Powers

Answer 9

Governments in democracies have three branches: legislative, executive and judicial.
This provides the idea for the separation of powers, which allows each branch of government to check and balance the powers of the others and thereby maintain a fair and just society.

Question 10

Outline the Westminster System of government

Answer 10

The Westminster System, originating from the UK, includes a head of state (Sovereign), an elected two-house parliament, a Prime Minister who leads the government, a ministry accountable to the parliament, and an independent judiciary.

Question 11

What were the key points of the history of Australia’s system of government (e.g. Federation)?

Answer 11

Australia became a nation on the 1st of January 1901, when six separate British colonies united as one and formed the Commonwealth of Australia

Australian Constitution of 1901 established Australia’s laws and principles as a newly federated country

Question 12

House of Representatives

Answer 12

The House of Representatives is the lower house of parliament. It has 151 seats, and is where government is formed and the most important ministers sit. To pass legislation, each bill must go through 3 readings.

Question 13

The Senate

Answer 13

The Senate is the Upper house of parliament. There is 76 seats, each state has 12 seats and each territory has 2.

Question 14

The Crown / Governor-General

Answer 14

The Governor General is the sovereign’s representative in Australia. Our current GG is the Hon. David Hurley.

Question 15

Separation of Powers

Answer 15

Governments in democracies have three branches: legislative, executive and judicial. This provides the idea for the sepration of powers, which allows each branch of government to check and balance the powers of the others and thereby maintain a fair and just society.

Question 16

What is a Liberal Democracy?

Answer 16

A liberal democracy is a democratic system based on majority rule, where the rights of the individual are respected and protected.

Question 17

Identify the four Principles of Government

Answer 17

The government must protect the rights and freedoms of individuals.
Governments must make laws that reflect the views and values of the people, this is referred to as representative government.
Governments must be accountable to the people.
There must be a separation of powers.

Question 18

The government must protect the rights and freedoms of individuals.

Answer 18

This aims to protect individual rights and freedom and place limits on government control. This means parliament shouldn’t make laws taht are excessive or unnecessarily limit activities of individuals.

Question 19

Governments must make laws that reflect the views and values of the people, this is referred to as representative government.

Answer 19

We achieve this my holding free, regular and fair elections, where people vote for who elects them in parliament.

Question 20

Governments must be accountable to the people.

Answer 20

This means that the government must be able to justify their actions and decisions to the voters. One way they’re held accountable is through the process of parliamentary question time, where members of parliament are given the opportunity to question the governments policies and actions. We also ensure our governments are accountable by stating that any member of the government that is dishonourable/irresponsible must resign.

Question 21

There must be a separation of powers

Answer 21

ensures no single group or body within our parliamentary system has power over both the political and legal system. We have 3 main powers at a federal level: executive power, which has the power to administer and implement the law, legislative powe, which is the power to make the law, and judicial power, which is the power to apply and interpret the law.

Question 22

What is a “nanny state”? Give an example of a law that could reflect this term

Answer 22

Nanny state is a government that tries to give too much advice or make too many laws about how people should live their lives. For example, all bicycle riders in Australia are required by law to wear a helmet. If you are caught riding without a safe helmet, you can face on-the-spot fines of $344.

Question 23

Federation

Answer 23

A system of government where the powers and responsibilities are divided between a national government and two or more state and regional governments.

Question 24

What does the Constitution do/create?

Answer 24

The constitution enshrines the structure of our political and legal system.
The consitition created a separation or powers and division of powers.

Question 25

Exclusive Powers?

Answer 25

Powers under section 51 and 52 of the Constitution, that only the Federal Government possesses.

Question 26

Residual Powers?

Answer 26

Any area of law making power not stated in the constitution as belonging to the federal goverment.

Question 26

Concurrent Powers?

Answer 26

Shared powers between federal and state governments. For example, marriage. The federal government decides who can marry, but the states decide how marriage is registered.

Question 27

Outline the roles of the High Court under its original jurisdiction, and explain how the High Court is involved in each.

Answer 27

The roles of the high court under original jurisdiction is to interpret the constitution and keep it relevant, they also make sure parliament doesn’t overstep and ensure Australia applies their international treaty obligations, and resolve disputes between state and federal governemnts as well as regarding treaties.

Question 28

Outline the role of the High Court under its appellate jurisdiction.

Answer 28

Under appellate jurisdiction the high court has the power to hear appeals from any federal court, or the supreme court of any state. Their judgement is final.

Question 29

What is the function of precedent?

Answer 29

Precedent is the rule thata legal principle that’s been established by a higher court should be followed in other similar cases by that court and other courts.

Question 30

What section of the Australian Constitution created the High Court?

Answer 30

Section 71 of the Australian Constitution created the High Court to hear and resolve disputes over the meaning of the constitution.

Question 31

What system of Government does Australia have (3 answers)?

Answer 31

We have a liberal democracy, meaning our government aims to protect individual freedoms and rights, and place limits on government control. We also have a representative government, meaning our parliament must make laws that reflect the values of the people. We also have a constitutional monarchy, which is a system of government where the head of state is an inherited position (monarch), but their powers are limited by a constitution.

Question 32

How are separation of powers “blended” in Australia?

Answer 32

In Australia, our cabinet (executive government) is made of a select group of people, but all of the members of the cabinet are either senators or mp’s. This means that our executive and legislative government are blended, as you must be a part of the legislature to be part of the cabinet. For example, Tanya Plibersek (Minister for Environment) would vote on a new climate change bill, if it’s successful, she would also be in charge of administrating that law.

Question 33

How do we have freedom of speech, freedom of assembly and freedom of religion in Australia when these are not in the constitution?

Answer 33

Even though these freedoms are explicitly stated in the constitution, we still uphold these freedoms under our commitment to various international treaties, such as the UN declaration of human rights and the international covenant of civil and political rights.