Government Flashcards
What is Government?
The system of political rule and administration over a society.
What is DEMOCRACY?
A system of government by the people in which representatives are selected. This means that the citizens have a say in what laws are passed and decisions made by the government
What is REPRESENTATIVE DEMOCRACY?
Citizens are relied on to vote for representatives who represent the views of the citizens in debates and proposed laws. Representatives need to satisfy voters to re-elect them in the next election.
What is FEDERATION
The joining together of individual states for a common purpose. Authority is divided between a central authority, state authorities and local authorities which all have power over different matters.
What are the tiers of government?
Commonwealth government that governs the whole country; state government that governs particular states ; and local government that looks after towns and cities
What is the Constitution?
A written statement outlining the basic structure of laws and government. It provides a set of [principles about how Australia will be governed. The Australian constitution is the ‘Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act’ which came into force in 1901
What does Bicameral mean?
A parliament consisting of two houses or chambers. We have the Lower and Upper Houses and the Crown
What is PARLIAMENTARY GOVERNMENT?
A government formed from the elected members of parliament. The representatives elected by the people can discuss and debate decisions that need to be made to help the community run smoothly.
What are the national and Victorian bicameral house names?
NATIONAL- Lower ~House of Representatives Upper~ Senate Crown~ Governor General VICTORIAN- Lower ~ Legislative Assembly Upper~ Legislative Council Crown~ Governor
What is an ELECTORATE?
A geographic area consisting of approximately 80,000 voters who vote for one representative. The voters choose one person to represent that electorate in the House of Representatives
Referendum?
A nation-wide vote to elect proposed changes to the Australian Constitution for approval or rejection. It is used to encouage public discussion and requires a double majority for approval by the government.
Parliament?
Where the representatives elected by the people can discuss and debate important decisions that need to be made for the community to run smoothly. Australians vote in an election and those elected help make decisions for the country.
Preferential voting?
A system of voting in which votes are allocated candidates in order of preference. You need to number the votes from one (being first preference) to how many people are on the slip. No number can be repeated.
steps of voting?
- Order boxes 1-7. 2. Count all 1st preferences. 3. One candidate must have 50%+1 4. If no candidate reaches majority the remaining preferences are counted.
right to vote?
All Australian citizens over the age of 18 that have enrolled to vote have the right to vote. This is excepting prisoners serving three or more years in jail.
