Democratic Principles and Practices in Australia Flashcards

1
Q

What are democracies?

A

Complex structures built on complex ides and upheld by complex institutions.

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2
Q

What makes a democracy ‘health’?

A

Dictators restrained by checks and balances.

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3
Q

What 5 pillars uphold a healthy democracy?

A
  • Institution
  • Free media
  • Accountability
  • Free and fair elections
  • Human rights
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4
Q

Free and Fair Elections: what does free mean? (3)

A
  • freedom of speech, assembly and movement
  • freedom from fear in relation to the election
  • equal and universal right to vote.
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5
Q

Free and Fair Elections: what does fair mean? (3)

A
  • transparent electoral process
  • no special privileges to any party, person or group
  • Independent and impartial officials conduct the election
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6
Q

Free and Fair Elections: How is regularity demonstrated (3)

A
  • Max term in HOR (3 years)
  • Election must be ordered within 10 days of parliament being dissolved
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7
Q

Free and Fair Elections: Who is the impartial umpire and what is their purpose.

A
  • Australian Electoral Commission (AEC)
  • Minimal influence by governing parties
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8
Q

Free and Fair Elections: How is one vote, one value achieved?

A
  • AEC redrawing boundaries so that HOR has approximately equal number of voters
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9
Q

Free and Fair Elections: What voting does Aus use?

A

Preferential voting

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10
Q

Free and Fair Elections: How do campaign make it free and fair? (3)

A
  • laws
  • ads have name of person authorising
  • ban on broadcast 3 days before election
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11
Q

Free and Fair Elections: How does public funding impact free and fair elections? (3)

A
  • proportional to no. of primary votes
  • help minor parties and independents
  • bolster finances of major parties
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12
Q

Free and Fair Elections: What is transparent vote counting?

A
  • counted by AEC staff
  • parties/independents can have scrutineers
  • Live commentary
  • Results are broadcasted
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13
Q

What makes Australia’s elections free and fair?

A
  • Regularity
  • Impartial umpire
  • One vote, one value
  • Preferential voting
  • Compulsory voting
  • Conduct of Campaigns
  • Public funding
  • Transparent vote counting
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14
Q

What are human rights?

A

set of principles concerned with one’s equality and fairness.

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15
Q

What does human right include? (3)

A
  • protection for expression of views
  • power check or balance for state
  • legal protection against being locked up without trial
  • protection of individuals in society
  • right to trial by jury
  • independent courts
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16
Q

Human rights: Who is the commission?

A

Australian Human Rights Commission

17
Q

Human rights: What does Australia do?

A

International treaties and resolutions on HR under UN

18
Q

A and T: What upholds these (7)

A
  • Question time
  • Freedom of info
  • Press Galleries
  • Free media
  • Voting
  • Watchdogs
  • Engagement with votes
19
Q

A and T: What are watchdogs? (4)

A
  • Scrutinise gov decision-making
  • NGOs
  • Anticorruption commissions
  • protect citizen and gov overreach
20
Q

ROL: Features(3)

A
  • Presumption of innocence
  • Right to a fair trial
  • Natural justice
21
Q

ROL: Changes to system?

A
  • Must be within the constitution
22
Q

What is active participation?

A

If people are involved in democratic processes

23
Q

Examples of active participation? (3)

A
  • voter turnout
  • peaceful protest
  • reading about politics
24
Q

Equality: What act covers equality?

A

Disability Discrimination Act 1992

25
Q

Equality: How is it shown in elections?

A

One vote, one value

26
Q

Equality: What is a challenge in maintaining equality?

A

Economic equality

27
Q

Equality: Why is it a challenge?

A
  • economic resources -> political power
  • undermines legitimacy
  • ppl in poverty, unhappy with parts of the system
28
Q

DOP: what is exclusive power?

A

Federal only

29
Q

DOP: What is concurrent powers?

A

power shared between states and federal

30
Q

DOP: What does the fed have exclusive power over?

A

Defence, foreign policies

31
Q

DOP: What are examples of concurrent powers? (2)

A
  • Education
  • Health
32
Q

DOP: How is education under concurrent powers?

A

Federal gov: Controls universities
State gov: Operates primary and seconday

33
Q

DOP: How is health under concurrent powers?

A

Federal gov: Pays doctors, charge of Medicare
State gov: manages hospitals

34
Q

DOP: What is an issue with DOP?

A

Tussles between state and fed are everlasting

35
Q

DOP: What is an issue between state and fed gov?

A

Taxes, as fed can raise them, and influence how states govern by attaching conditions to fundings.