Civics and Citizenship a mix of everything Flashcards
Four major political parties of Australia are:
Liberal, Labour, Greens, Nationals
Who is the leader of the Australian Labour party (ALP)
Anthony Albanese
Who is the leader of the Liberal Party?
Scott Morrison
Who is the leader of the greens?
Adam Bandt
Who is the leader of the Nationals
Barnaby Joyce, worlds reddest man
Define democracy
System of government based on popular sovereignty (the will of the majority)
Define Constitutional monarchy
A form of government where the head of state is the monarch, whose powers are limited by a written constitution or series of unwritten constitutional conventions
Government
A body in society which has the authority to make laws and set political policy
The term ‘government’ can also apply specifically to the prime minister and the cabinet
The British Westminster System
A system of government used by Great Britain. Australia’s gov. system is based on this.
In terms of the British Westminster System, how is government formed and how is the prime minister chosen
Government is formed by the party or coalition which has majority of seats in the lower house (House of reps in Aus). The leader is chosen by their party, not the public
Separation of powers categories:
Legislative, Executive, Judiciary
Why is Australia’s separation of powers considered to be weak
Because of the fusion between legislative and executive powers, but the judiciary is independant
Legislative powers
The power to make law
Found in House of reps and senate
Executive powers
Power to administer laws
Found with Governor general (GG), Prime minister and senior ministers, government departments
Judiciary
Power to apply/interpret the law
Found in the High court and other federal courts
What’s the purpose of the separation of powers
To prevent the government from abusing powers xd
What political system is Australia’s system based on?
The British Westminster System
What are the three levels of law making?
Local, State/Territory, Federal Parliament
What are Westminster conventions
Unwritten rules which are followed in political society
Federalism
The system of government is shared between Federal government and other State/Territory governments. E.g. Australia’s political system
What is division of powers?
The division of powers between federal and state governments
What are the 3 division of powers (idk how to word this)
Exclusive, concurrent, and residual
Exclusive powers
Specified and numerated in the constitution. Exercisable solely by the Commonwealth/Federal govt.
Examples:
- Section 90: power over customs (imports and exports)
- Section 114: power to raise and army/ armed forces
- Section 115: prohibits states from issuing their own currency
Concurrent powers
Specified and enumerated in the constitution. Belongs to Federal and state. Mostly found in section 51 of the const.
Examples:
- Section 51 (ii): Taxation
- Section 51 (xxi): Marriage
Residual powers
Not specified or enumerated in the constitution. Belongs to the state govts.
Examples:
- Local governments
- Education
- Parking
What happens when Federal and State law conflict?
The HCA resolves the conflict by referencing ss109 which states that where federal and state government conflict, federal will prevail.
Democracy
A system of government in which the people have the power to determine how they will be ruled or managed.
Representative democracy
A system of government where members of parliament make laws on behalf of the majority of the voters
Liberal democracy
A democratic system where the rights of individuals are protected through law and minority groups are protected in society
How is Australia a representative democracy?
- Parliaments must make laws that reflect the values, morals and views of the people
- Australia holds free and regular elections where voters decide which politicians are best for them
- Australia has compulsory voting for 18+
How is Australia a liberal democracy
- Individual rights and freedoms are protected from government interference
- Laws protect people’s rights to freedom of speech, assembly etc.
- Laws limit people from acting indecently and inappropriately in society
How is Australia a liberal democracy
- Individual rights and freedoms are protected from government interference
- Laws protect people’s rights to freedom of speech, assembly etc.
- Laws limit people from acting indecently and inappropriately in society
