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Australian Citizenship > Government and the Law in Australia > Flashcards

Government and the Law in Australia Flashcards

1
Q

What are the 2 ways to have my say in Australia?

A
  • Voting

- Raising matters with representatives

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2
Q

Who is responsible for the elections?

A

The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC).

Independent Commonwealth agency.

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3
Q

How is voting performed in Australia?

A

Secret ballot

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4
Q

What happens when you don’t vote?

A

You may have to pay a fine.

TODO: How much?

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5
Q

How was the Australia federation established?

A
  • Before 1901 Australia was bade of 6 self governing british colonies
  • Each had their own laws and immigration policies
  • In 1 Jan 1901 the colonies were united into a federation of states called the Commonwealth of Australia
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6
Q

What does the Australia consitution establishes?

A
  • The parliament consisting of House of Representatives and the Senate
  • High Court of Australia
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7
Q

How can the constitution be changed?

A

By referendum

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8
Q

What’s the criteria for a change via referendum?

A

Double majority

  • Majority across the nation
  • Majority of states
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9
Q

How is the power of state controlled?

A
  • Legislative Power: law makers, parliament. Made up of representatives
  • Executive Power: put laws into practice: Prime minister, Government ministers and Governor-General.
  • Judicial Power: Interpret and apply the law. Independent from parliament and government.
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10
Q

What is a minister?

A

Responsible for a government department.

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11
Q

Who is Australia’s Head of State?

A

Queen Elizabeth II

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12
Q

What is the Governor-General?

A

The Head of State’s (The queen) representative in Australia.

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13
Q

How is the governor-General appointed?

A

It’s appointed by the head of state, on advice from the Prime Minister.

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14
Q

What is the Queen’s role in the government?

A

The queen has no day-to-day role in the government.

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15
Q

Who is the leader of the government?

A

The Prime Minister

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16
Q

Explain the constitutional Monarchy in Australia

A
  • The Queen is the head of the state

- Has to act in accordance with the Constitution

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17
Q

What is the role of the Governor-General?

A
  • signing all Bills (Royal Assent)
  • Performing ceremonial duties
  • Approving appointment of officials
  • Starting elections
  • Commander-in-Chief on the Australian Defence Force
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18
Q

Cite 11 government leader roles

A
  • Head of State (the queen)
  • Governor-General (Queen’s representative in Australia)
  • Governor (Queen’s representative in a state)
  • Prime Minister (leader of the government)
  • Premier (leader of a state government)
  • Chief Minister (leader of a territory)
  • Government Minister (an MP chosen to be responsible for an area of the government)
  • Member of Parliament (MP): elected for the australian or state parliament to represent the people
  • Senator: elected representative of the state
  • Mayor or Shire President: local government leader
  • Councillor: Elected member of a council
19
Q

What’s the difference between senator and MP?

A

The senate represents the states and are meant to keep the parliament in check. That’s why it’s called the “house of review”.

20
Q

What 2 houses compose the Australian government?

A

Senate and House of Representatives

21
Q

What other names does the house of representatives have?

A

Lower house or People’s house.

22
Q

How many people are in the house of representative?

A

About 150 MP’s representing the electorates.

23
Q

What are other names for the Senate?

A

Upper House, the house of review or The State’s House.

24
Q

How many people are in the senate?

A

76 senators.

25
Q

How are states governed?

A
  • Similar to the Australian Government

- Each state has its own parliament and constitution.

26
Q

What’s the difference between state and territory?

A

States have rights recognized by the constitution while territories do not.
State can pass their own laws
Territories law are alterered by the Australian Government.

27
Q

How are local government organized?

A

Cities, shires, towns or municipalieties.

Each has its own council.

28
Q

What is the Australian Government responsible for (federal)?

A
  • taxes
  • national economy
  • immigration
  • employment assitance
  • posta services
  • social security
  • defense
  • trade and commerce
  • airports
  • foreign affairs
29
Q

What are state and Territories responsible for?

A
  • hospitals and health services
  • schools
  • roads
  • forests
  • police
  • public transport
30
Q

What are local governments responsible for?

A
  • street sign
  • traffic control
  • local roads and bridges
  • parks
  • food inspection
  • noise and animal control
  • rubbish
  • libraries
  • some day care
  • building permits
  • social planning
  • local environment issues
31
Q

What is a political party?

A

A political party is a group of people who share similar ideas about how a country should be governed. They work together to have the party’s ideas turned into laws

32
Q

What are the main political parties in Australia?

A
  • Liberal Party
  • Labor Party
  • the Nationals
  • Australian Greens
33
Q

What is an “independent”?

A

A parliamentarian that doesn’t belong to a political party.

34
Q

How is the Prime Minister selected?

A

It’s the leader of the party with majority of members in the house of representatives.

35
Q

Who becomes the lead of opposition?

A

The leader of the party with second largest number of members in the house of representatives.

36
Q

Who appoints ministers?

A

The Prime Minister

37
Q

What are ministers responsible for?

A

Government ministers are responsible for an area of government (called a portfolio), such as employment, Indigenous Affairs or the Treasury. Ministers with the most important portfolios make up the Cabinet, which is the key decision making body of government.

38
Q

How are laws made?

A
  • Member of parliament proposes a “bill”
  • House of representatives and Senate debate and vote
  • If majority agrees, bill goes to the Governor-General
  • Governor-General signs the bill
39
Q

What is a court and who is the authority?

A

They decide if a person has broken the law and what penality is given.
Base their decisions on evidence only.

The judge or Magistrate is the highest authority.

40
Q

Who appoints judges?

A

The govenment, but the government cannot take their jobs away if they disagree with theeir decidions.

41
Q

What is a Jury and what is its role?

A

A Jury is a group of citizens that is called in some cases to decide if someone has broken the law.

42
Q

What is the police’s job?

A
  • Protect life and property.

- Bring people to court if they believe someone broke the law

43
Q

What are the most serious crimes in australia?

A
  • Murder
  • Assault
  • Sexual Assault
  • violence against people and property
  • armed robbery or theft
  • underage sex
  • dangerous driving
  • possession of illegal drugas
  • fraud

Australian Citizenship (3 decks)

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