Civics And Citizenship

Question 1

Explain how a political and legal system should be designed to protect human rights.

Answer 1

They should cater for people from different religions and have rules that treat people of different ages and genders equally.

Question 2

Explain how a well designed political and legal system should contain a written set of rules to protect the rights of its citizens and clearly state the responsibilities of its citizens and government (a constitution.)

Answer 2

So that people know what the have to do to ensure that all people are following the same set of rules and how to ensure citizens are kept safe.

Question 3

Explain how a constitution is a written statement that outlines the basic rules, rights and responsibilities of a country.

Answer 3

Because it includes rules about people from different religious background and rules about people of different ages/genders and includes certain rules that people have to follow to ensure that their country is protected and safe

Question 4

Explain how a constitution may be amended or changed to modernises or more clearly reflect the values of society - such as the successful vote on the Constitution Alteration (Establishment of Republic) 1999

Answer 4

The following steps must be observed if any change is to occur:

Any proposed change to the Constitution must first be approved by a majority of members of both houses of the federal parliament.

Within six months of being approved by the parliament, the proposed change must be put to the people to vote in a referendum. All registered voters are entitled to have a say.

The referendum will usually be in the form of a question asking the voters whether or not they approve of the change. Voters write the word ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ in a box on the voting paper to signify their support or opposition to the proposed change

For the change to be approved, more than 50 per cent of all voters in Australia must vote yes to the proposal.

In addition, there must be a majority in favour in at least four of the six states.

If the above requirements are met, the proposal goes to the Governor-General for final approval and the change is made to the Constitution.

Question 5

Give reasons for having a constitution

Answer 5

A constitution is important because it can protect a country or people. It has certain rules to follow by to ensure that people are safe. Another reason for having a constitution is because if people follow the rules, the country will be a safer place to live.

Question 6

Explain how a constitution should consider the rights of young and old

Answer 6

A constitution should ensure that all people are protected regardless of their age. It should ensure that rules are in place to make sure that people are still treated equally with respect no matter how old they are.

Question 7

Explain how a constitution should consider the rights of males and females.

Answer 7

A constitution should ensure that males and females are treated equally and get the same opportunities.

Question 8

Explain how a constitution should consider the rights of people from different religious backgrounds.

Answer 8

A constitution should make sure that people are respected for who they are and not neglected or treated differently because of what the believe in.

Question 9

Explain how a constitution should consider the election of a leadership group.

Answer 9

It should make sure that people are elected fairly and that the public have a say in who they want to lead there country/state

Question 10

Explain how a constitution should consider the system of law and order - rewards and punishment

Answer 10

It should make sure that the system is fair and that people are treated the same no matter who they are (religiously or gender)

Question 11

Explain how a constitution should consider fairness (no person having too much power.)

Answer 11

It should use the separation of powers to ensure that people can’t take all the power, it has to be shared around.

Question 12

Explain how the concept of the “separation of powers” between the legislative, executive and judiciary and how it seeks to prevent the excessive concentration of power.

Answer 12

The separation of powers means not one arm (legislative, executive and judiciary) having too much power or control over something. Law-making powers are divided in such a way that national issues can be handled by the central government, while state governments can concentrate on providing essential services for their citizens.

Question 13

Outline the legislative arm

Answer 13

The Parliament (also referred to as the Legislature) is made up of the Queen (represented by the Governor- General), the Senate and the House of Representatives
The Parliament makes and amends the law

Question 14

Outline the executive arm

Answer 14

The Executive is made up of the Queen (represented by the Governor-General), Prime Minister and ministers
The Executive puts the law into action

Question 15

Outline the judicial arm

Answer 15

The Judiciary is made up of the High Court and other federal courts
The Judiciary makes judgements about the law

Question 16

List some of the responsibilities for the following types of government: FEDERAL

Answer 16

In charge of: 
Transport
Communication 
Trade
Health 
Social security
Immigration 
Taxation
Education

Question 17

List some of the responsibilities for the following types of government: STATE

Answer 17

In charge of:
Housing 
Transport
Services
Environmental protection
Law and order
Aboriginal welfare

Question 18

List some of the responsibilities for the following types of government: LOCAL

Answer 18

In charge of:
Minor roads
Parks and sporting ovals
Swimming pools
Street lighting
Baby health centres
Kindergartens

Question 19

Describe the different roles of the House of Representatives in Australia’s bicameral parliament.

Answer 19

They have 150 members (elected for 3 years)
Lower house

representatives introduce bills and resolutions, offer amendments and serve on committees.

Question 20

Describe the different roles of the Senate in Australia’s bicameral parliament.

Answer 20

The senate is the upper house and has 76 members

Some responsibilities are writing and passing laws, approving many presidential appointments, and ratifying treaties with other countries.

Question 21

What is bicameral parliament?

Answer 21

A bicameral parliament is a parliament which consists of two Chambers or Houses

Question 22

How does the Adversarial Legal System in Australia operate?

Answer 22

When two people plead their case in front of a judge/jury who attempts to find the truth and make a judgement.

Question 23

Describe the structure of the court hierarchy

Answer 23

The court hierarchy has the lower courts at the bottom and the higher courts at the top.

Question 24

Name the lower courts and who controls them

Answer 24

Coroners court

Magistrates court - controlled by a magistrate

Children’s court - controlled by a judge

Question 25

Name the intermediate courts and who controls them

Answer 25

District court - controlled by a district court judge

Question 26

Name the higher courts and who controls them.

Answer 26

Federal court- controlled by a judge

Supreme court - controlled by a Chief Justice of justices

Family court -controlled by a single judge and sometimes magistrates

Full court of the federal court

Court of appeal

Full court of the family court

High court of Australia.

Question 27

What is meant by “everyone is entitled to a fair trial”

Answer 27

It means that everyone is entitled to a fair and public hearing of their rights and obligations of any criminal charges against them.