General

Question 1

describe the two main sources of law in Australia

Answer 1

common law - written legislation made by parliament in
the form of statutes or codes - the most common law in our society

statute law - decisions made by judges about issues
that arise in court, judge-made law

Question 2

what are the three arms of government/separation of powers, and what do each of them do?

Answer 2

executive - enforces the law, responsible for governance of the state
judiciary - interprets the law, settle disputes and administers justice
parliament/legislative - make or change laws, regulates interstate and foreign commerce, controls tax and spending

Question 3

three levels of government?

Answer 3

local - pass laws and regulations that apply to the area (e.g. libraries, pools, rubbish disposal, local roads etc.)

state - pass laws on any areas not listed in the constitution (e.g. hospitals, education, electricity, state budget, railways etc.)

federal - pass laws that relate to issues that are relevant to the entire country (e.g. tax, defense force, economy, airports etc.)

Question 4

the four functions of parliament?

Answer 4

1. make or change laws
2. represent the people and voters
3. scrutinize the government
4. to form government

Question 5

does Australia have a bicameral or unicameral system? what does that mean?

Answer 5

Australia has a bicameral system; the house of reps (lower house), and the senate (the upper house)

Question 6

what do the house of reps and the senate do?

Answer 6

two houses of parliament - all bills must be passed by both houses. Senators represent their entire states, members of the House represent individual districts.

Question 7

what are the three types of offences?

Answer 7

1. crimes against a person
2. crimes against the property
3. other offences

Question 8

the two types of evidence

Answer 8

circumstantial and direct evidence