Government Flashcards
What are the 3 levels of government?
Federal, State and Local
Federal Government
Is responsible for the conduct of national affairs. It’s areas or responsibility are stated in the Australian Constitution
What is the federal gov responsible for?
Defence and foreign affairs
Trade
Immigration
State Gov
Responsible a particular state within Australia. Each state has its own constitution in setting out its system of gov.
Areas of responsibility - state
Schools
Public transport
Emergency services
Local Gov
Concerned with matters close to our homes. The administration of a particular suburb/area, made up by local people.
Areas of responsibility - local
Building regulations and development
Libraries
Roads
The opposition
Questions the gov and dispute their ideas. They make the government accountable for their actions.
Parliament
Parliament is the body that makes laws for Australia. It has three distinct parts: the House of Representatives, the Senate and the Queen).
The Crown
The Queen is Australia’s head of state, her authority is known as the crown. The governor general is the representative of the crown in Australia and is appointed by the queen.
Pressure groups
Their aim is to influence governments. It is a minority group that wants a voice.
Representative Government
People elect members of Parliament to represent them
meet in parliament and perform a number of functions.
Prime Minister
The leader of the political party with a majority in the house of reps is summoned to form a government. The leader then becomes the PM of Australia.
Democracy
A system of government by the people in which representatives are elected.The Australian government is based on it.
House of reps
The Australian House of Representatives is one of the two Houses (chambers) of the Parliament of Australia. It is referred to as the lower house.
Senate
The Australian Senate is the upper house of the bicameral Parliament of Australia. It consists of 76 senators 12 from each state and 2 from each territory
Differences between senate and house of reps
House of reps have 150 members
Senate has 76
House of reps are elected for 3 years
Senate is 6
Senate is the house of review and the states house
House of reps form the government, represent the people and introduce and pass laws
Julie Bishop party role electorate electorate problems
Liberal party
Minister of foreign affairs and deputy leader of liberal party
Her electorate is Curtin WA
Preferential voting (house of reps)
A system of voting in which votes are allocated to candidates in order of preference. To be elected the candidate has to have an absolute majority votes which is 51%. If no candidate receives absolute majority the on with the least amount of votes is divided up and distributed to the other candidates.
Criminal Law
Is concerned with cases in which a person has committed a crime against the community. It includes; treason, murder, theft and traffic offences
Civil Law
Is concerned with cases where there is a dispute between 2 private individuals. It includes; ownership of property, contracts or other legally binding agreements and divorce.
Changes in the Law - Technology
Technology has features which may be used in a harmful manner to society.
The law should be changed and adapted
Summary Offences Amendment (2007) - mobile phonesequipped with cameras being usedas an ‘up skirting’ device alongside ‘online piracy’ laws.
was changed tomake this actionsillegaland protect victims.
2 ways an individual can influence laws
Signing a petition to parliament
Joining a pressure group
Joining a political party
Petitions
It is a formal request for parliament to take action. Based on public or individual grievances that relate to the House being able to act upon. The minimum signatures is 1.
