Government Flashcards
What is preferential voting?
Vote in order of preference. Where there is no clear majority, the person person with the least amount of votes has there votes relocated to second preferences
Concept of representative democracy
A System of government by the people in which representatives are elected. The citizens or members of the state or nation have a say in what laws are passed by the government and what decisions are made.
State government house names and number of seats
Legislative assembly
Lower house
88 seats
Legislative council
Upper house
40 seats
Federal parliament names and number of seats
House of Representatives
Lower house
76 seats
Senate
Upper house
150 seats
Main political parties in Australia and who they represent
Labour Party
Working class
Liberal party
Business owners and private industries
Nationals
Rural Australia
Greens Ecological sustainability Social and economic justice Peace and non violence Grass roots democracy
What is the state government responsible for
Hospitals
Schools
Vic police
Road laws
What is the local government responsible for
Sports grounds
Rubbish disposals
Pet registrations
Planning permits
What does the federal government take care of
Defence Currency Trade Immigration Marriage
Pros for why voting should be compulsory
Have a say, in who you would like to be elected Keeps everyone involved Avoids corruption Prevents laziness Equal participation Helps prevent bribery
Cons for compulsory voting
Costs citizens money to I force this law
Inconvenient if you are overseas
Votes go to waste due to some people not completing them properly
Forces an opinion, as some people don’t want to be involved
Define federation
Federation is the joining together of individual states for a common purpose. The power is divided between federal, state and local authorities. Australia is a federation.
Who can vote
Australian citizens over the age of 18
Living at current address for at least a month
Apart from prisoners serving 3 years or more
What is an electorate
Geographical area consisting of voters who will vote for one representative.
How often are elections held
Once every three years, voters have the opportunity to vote for a representative from the House of Representatives.
Senators are elected for six years.
The voting process
First go to the a polling place in the area and report to an electoral officer. The electoral officer asks for their name and address, marks it off the electoral roll and gives them the ballot papers. Fill in ballot paper in private voting booth, then place in the ballot box.
