Democracy 2 Flashcards
1
Q
What are the four principles Australia’s government is based upon?
A
- rights and freedoms of individuals
- that laws reflect views and values of people
- they are accountable for people
- separation of power
2
Q
Rights and freedoms of individuals:
A
- otherwise known as liberal democracy
- no excessive or unnecessary laws
- they are laws that protect freedom of speech, expression and prohibits indecent/offensive manner in public.
3
Q
Laws that reflect views and values of the people:
A
- Referred to as representative government
- achieved by elections where the people vote who they want to represent them
- if elected and fail to make laws that represent their voters, they get replaced.
- federal elections every 3 years, state every 4
4
Q
Accountable for people:
A
- referred to as the principle of responsible government
- involve parliamentary question time (parliament members given the chance to question government policies)
- members within the parliament and opposition debate/argue
- any parliament member who acts dishonourable must resign.
5
Q
Separation of powers:
A
- Used to make sure the government doesn’t make/abuse laws beyond their power
- allows judges to solve disputes with no outside opinions
- involves executive, legislative and judicial powers
- keeping the judiciary independent allows the courts to act as a checking system.
6
Q
Legislative power:
A
The power to MAKE the law (parliament)
7
Q
Executive power:
A
Power to administer/ implement the law (the crown)
8
Q
Judicial power:
A
Apply the laws (the court)
9
Q
The structure of the commonwealth parliament:
A
- consists of the 2 houses (upper and lower) and the crown.
- upper house: senate
- lower house: House of Representatives
10
Q
House of Representatives:
A
- 150 members who live in one of 150 areas- these are called electorates.
- WA has 59 electorates which are determined in proportion to population size
- they represent views, values and desires: called the people’s house
- elected for a 3 year term.
11
Q
What’s the role of the House of Representatives?
A
- determines the government of the day ( the party that wins over 76 of the 150 electorates in the house)
- discuss ,debate, and scrutinise proposals for changing the commonwealth law
12
Q
The senate:
A
- consists of 76 members with 12 members being elected in each state
- senators elected for a 6 year term
- consists of equal members from each state regardless of proportion size.
13
Q
The main role of the senate:
A
- represents the interest of the states and prevents the commonwealth parliament from passing laws that discriminate their state
- initiate, discuss and review new laws. Since most laws are made in the lower house, the senate acts more as a “house of review”
14
Q
The crown:
A
- the queen, who is represented in Australia as the Governor General.
- the crown gives the final approval on behalf of the queen
- perform ceremonial duties, ANZAC, Olympic and commonwealth games
- have the power to sack the prime minister and end current parliament/ call a new federal election.
15
Q
What is the Australian constitution?
A
Outlines how the country is to be governed, created by the Hugh court of Australia.
16
Q
Purpose of the constitution?
A
- established the federal system of government (each state has powers to make laws but one federal parliament for laws for the whole country)
- created law making powers to the commonwealth government and outlined its structure
- created the high court of Australia (resolves disputes over the constitution)
17
Q
Specific powers of the commonwealth parliament in the constitution
A
- marriage and divorce
- currency
- social welfare benefits
- trade and commerce
- defence
- customs
- taxation
18
Q
Residual powers to the STATE parliaments
A
- adoption/surrogacy/ IVF
- childcare and education
- public transport
- water and electricity supply
19
Q
Exclusive powers control:
A
- currency
- defence
- customs an-d border protection
20
Q
Concurrent powers (working together):
A
- marriage and divorce
- taxation
- census data and statistics
21
Q
Changing the constitution
A
- cannot be altered by the government without the approval of the Australian people
- altered by the process of referendum
22
Q
The referendum process:
A
- a compulsory public vote must be approved by a double majority of votes
- approved by a majority of voters in at least four out of six states
- once approved the proposal must be given the royal assent
23
Q
Strengths of the referendum process
A
- requires the support of the public (government can’t just change it on their own agenda)
- a compulsory vote means it’s only changed if its receives large support
- must be passed by a double majority (support form most of the states)
24
Q
Problems with the referendum process
A
- voters may be disinterested/ uneducated on what they’re voting for
- proposals for change unlikely to succeed if both political parties don’t support
- the double majority provision is difficult to achieve
- often held at the same time as federal elections mean people are more concerned with that then the constitution.
