Government Flashcards
difference between the premier and prime minister?
The leader of the government is called the Prime Minister. The leader of a state government is called the Premier.
Difference between civil law and criminal law?
Civil law deals with the regulation of private conduct between individuals, organizations, and government agencies. Examples = financial issues or family relations
Criminal Law deals with offenses that are committed against society. Examples = murder, assault, theft, and drunken driving.
Difference between needs and wants?
A need is something needed to survive while a want is something that people desire to have, that they may, or may not, be able to obtain.
Want example = wanting fast internet or certain colored things
Need example = food and water for survival
Difference between the House of Representatives and the Senate?
Senators represent their entire states, Every state has an equal voice in the Senate, but members of the House represent individual districts the representation in the House of Representatives is based on the size of each state’s population.
What are the three levels of government?
Federal - Marriage, Taxes, Defense
State - School, Hospitals, Roads
Local - Parks, Rubbish collection, Libraries
What are the three basic economic questions?
What will be produced?
How will it be produced?
How will the output society produces be distributed?
Identify and explain one demand factor?
Consumer expectations. When people expect that the value of something will rise, they demand more of it
What is the role of the crown?
Australia is a constitutional monarchy and our head of state is the Queen, including giving Royal Assent to laws passed by the Australian Parliament
Identify one Political Party and outline the key beliefs of this party?
The Labor Party is Australia’s oldest political party, established federally in 1901. Promote equality, involve the people of Australia in the decision-making processes of our land, and liberate the talents and uplift the horizons of the Australian people.
Compare the House of Representatives and the Senate
The House of Representatives, the Lower House, is the House of government. That means that the party with the most seats there becomes the ruling party.
The Senate was intended to be a house of review, a way of keeping the government that usually controls the House of Reps in check.
Explain how the preferential voting system works
To be elected using the preferential voting system, a candidate must receive more than half of the votes (majority).
The candidate with the fewest votes at this point is excluded and the votes for this candidate are redistributed to the voter’s next choice candidate.
Should voting be compulsory?
- Compulsory registration and voting increase the legitimacy of elected representatives.
In countries like the United States, where the turnout can be low, candidates can win with much less than a majority of the eligible vote. - If voting were made voluntary, it would shake up the political system
- Parties and candidates would have to do more to convince people of the merits of their policies in order to get voters to the polls
What is the hierarchy court system in Australia?
Local and Magistrates’ Courts - Hear less serious matters and are heard by a Magistrate. The role of the Local or Magistrates Court in criminal matters varies in each State and Territory
District and County Court - Matters in these courts are heard by a Judge. Will also conduct appeals from the Local and Magistrates Courts and conducts criminal trials with juries for indictable offenses.
Supreme Court - This is generally only for very serious offenses, such as murder.
Federal Courts - will hear criminal matters that are created by federal legislation, which applies to all States and Territories.
High Court - The High Court of Australia is the country’s highest court. It will hear appeals on a question of law only.
What is the prosecutor’s role in criminal law?
The public prosecution service is responsible for prosecuting the most serious crimes that occur in Victoria.
What is the judge’s role in criminal law?
The judge is the person who hears cases and makes decisions in the County Court and Supreme Court. If the accused is found guilty, the judge will impose the sentence.
