Government Flashcards
What are the three levels of government and their areas of responsibility
Federal; defence, currency, trade, immigration.
State; education, transport, hospitals, roads laws.
Local; health care centres, parks and gardens, rubbish collection
What is a representative democracy
A system of government in which all eligible citizens vote on representatives to pass laws for them. For example in the US they elected president and members of Congress, in Australia we are left with Prime Minister and members of parliament
What are some main political parties and their key political ideals
Labour; equality and opportunity, particularly for women, indigenous and other groups that experience disadvantage.redistribution of income, wealth and economic power. Social Security and universal healthcare. Full employment.
Liberal; privatisation, selling selected government enterprises. Deregulation, removing controls over industry, Commerse and labour. Small government.
Greens , nationals
What is the difference between the House of Representatives and the Senate
The House of Representatives; the lower house. Contains 150 seats, has a prime minister, leader of opposition, speaker, ministers.
The Senate the Opera house, 76 seats.
Who can vote
Must be an Australian citizen over the age of 18 and must have lived at their current address for over one month
How often are elections
Every three years
How is the winner of the election decided
Party with majority of the votes
What is an electorate
A geographical area consisting of approximately 80,000 voters who voted for one representative. Examples our electorate is Dunkley
Explain preferential voting
Whether it is rank from 1st to last on their preferred choice. Where there is no clear majority, the person with the least votes has their votes relocated to 2nd preference and so on.
Explain simple majority voting
First past the post. In elections, A majority happens when more than half of the electorate votes for one candidate. Eg if a candidate gets 50.1% of the vote, they get the majority
Who is the leader of government state and federal level
At federal level prime minister, Malcolm Turnbull
At state level premier, Daniel Andrews
Who is head of state at federal and state level
Federal; governor general, Peter Cosgrove
State; Governor
Evaluate; should voting be compulsory
Pros; increase voter turnout, broadens representation and legitimacy, more serious election, promote political stability.
Cons; violates freedom of choice, decrease interest, donkey vote.
My opinion is that I think voting should be compulsory
What is a referendum
A photo of the Australian people on measures passed by the Australian parliament. Must have a double majority. Majority of people in the state, majority of states
What is the collection
A political alliance of centre right liberal and conservative parties in various forms.
