Govermnet

Question 1

Australian Constitution

Answer 1

The Australian Constitution sets out how Australia is governed, outlining the authority, powers and responsibilities of the Federal and State Governments.

was established
at Federation

Question 2

referendums. How are referendums passed

Answer 2

In order for a referendum to be successful, it must gain a ‘Yes’ vote by the majority of the voters in Australia and by a majority of voters in a majority of the States (this is called a double majority).

Question 3

What is a referendum

Answer 3

A referendum is a vote undertaken by Australians regarding the proposal to change the Constitution (Yes or No)

Question 4

what constitutions have been successful

Answer 4

Only 8 changes to the Constitution have been approved in Australia since 1901.
(45 referendums have been held).

Question 5

three levels of government

Answer 5

1. Federal government - located in Canberra
2. State government - located in the capital city of each state (Spring St, Melbourne)
3. Local government - located in towns and cities across Australia

Question 6

Responsibility of the Federal government- source of income

Answer 6

• Immigration
• Trade, commerce and currency;
• Defence and foreign affairs;
• Telecommunications

source of income
- Receipts from income tax
- Receipts from company tax

Question 7

Responsibilities of State government, - the source of income

Answer 7

• Schools
• Railways and public transport,
• Hospitals
• Prisons and emergency services.
• Environment

source of income
- Receipts from GST
- Receipts from Stamp Duty

Question 8

Responsibilities of Local government, source of income

Answer 8

• Libraries
• local roads, footpaths
• Waste disposal,
• Community Services.
• building regulations and development

Source of income
Receipts from rates
Receipts from parking fines

Question 9

Structure of State Parliament.

Answer 9

Bicameral System:

Legislative Assembly (Lower House):

88 members elected from single-member districts.
Roles: Initiates and passes legislation, forms the government. The leader becomes the Premier.

Legislative Council (Upper House):

40 members elected from eight regions using proportional representation.
Roles: Reviews and amends bills, scrutinizes government actions.

Question 10

structure of Federal Parliament

Answer 10

House: Senate
(Upper House)

Number of Members:
76 (12 from each State and 2 from each Territory)

Term of Office (Elected for):
6 years
(half of the Senators are up for election every 3 years)

House: House of Representatives
(Lower House)

Number of Members:
151

Term of Office (Elected for): 3 years.

Federal Parliament is located in Canberra. Elections are held every 3 years.

Question 11

Federal Parliament - overview

Answer 11

The Federal Parliament of Australia is bicameral, consisting of:

House of Representatives (Lower House): Members serve three-year terms.
Senate (Upper House): Senators represent states and territories.

The leader of the federal government is the Prime Minister. A federal election must be held every three years. The next election is scheduled for 2025

Question 12

Ministers,

Answer 12

a minister is a member of the government appointed by the Prime Minister to manage a specific department or area,

such as health or education. Ministers create policies and ensure they are carried out

Question 13

portfolios

Answer 13

portfolios refer to the specific areas of responsibility assigned to ministers, such as health, education, or defense. Each minister oversees the policies and operations related to their portfolio.

Question 14

backbenchers

Answer 14

members of parliament who do not have a portfolio. Their only responsibility is to look after their electorates. They sit at the back and are paid less than ministers.

Question 15

Main source of revenue for the various levels of government

Answer 15

Federal Government:
Receipts from income tax
Receipts from company tax

State Government:
Receipts from GST ( goods and services tax) - everything you buy has a 10% goods and service tax.
Receipts from Stamp Duty

Local Government:
Receipts from rates
Receipts from parking fines

Question 16

What is an electorate?

Answer 16

An electorate is like a voting district in Australia. It’s an area represented by a Member of Parliament (MP). People who live there vote for their MP in elections, and that MP speaks for them in Parliament.

Question 17

Voting methods

Answer 17

first past the post, preferential, proportional

Question 18

first past the post

Answer 18

This voting system is used in the UK and the USA but is not used in political elections in Australia. To fill in the ballot paper a voter only needs to put a mark next to the candidate they want to elect.

Question 19

preferential voting

Answer 19

Voters indicate their preference for the candidates. In order to win a seat in the House of Representatives, a candidate must receive 50% + 1 vote. This is called an absolute majority. This voting method ensures the winning candidate has the support of the majority of voters.

Question 20

Proportional voting

Answer 20

Senators are elected using method, REPRESENTATIVES must attract a certain quota ( percentage)

Question 21

preferential voting cons

Answer 21

• Takes longer and more expensive to count the votes
  Errors in counting the votes more likely
• ## It is more complex than first past the post - voters need to be more educated, more likely to cast informal voteHigher risk of donkey vote (as there are more boxes to complete)

Question 22

preferential voting pros

Answer 22

• Minor parties who might not be likely to win still have a say - the second preferences of those who voted for minor parties will still count
• Parties or candidates with similar philosophies can team up to direct voters to allocate preferences to each other

Question 23

Voting procedure in Australia

Question 24

who can vote,

Question 25

formal and informal votes

Answer 25

Formal Vote
Where the ballot paper has been filled out correctly (all candidates are numbered in order of preference) and it includes the number 1. This vote is counted.
Informal Vote (around 5% of the votes)
The ballot paper is not marked at all or is marked with drawings. This vote is not counted.

Question 26

donkey vote,

Answer 26

Where the voter has their preferences in the same order as the candidates listed on the ballot paper. A donkey vote is a formal vote.
Why?

Question 27

size of electorate

Answer 27

The size of electorates is based on population, not geographic size.

Question 28

Ministers and Backbenchers

Question 29

Federation

Answer 29

Federation was the process by which the six separate colonies formed one nation. Authority or power is divided between a central governments (the Commonwealth (Federal) Government) and state authorities (State Governments). Australia became a Federation in 1901.