Government and the Law in Australia Flashcards
What are the 2 ways to have my say in Australia?
- Voting
- Raising matters with representatives
Who is responsible for the elections?
The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC).
Independent Commonwealth agency.
How is voting performed in Australia?
Secret ballot
What happens when you don’t vote?
You may have to pay a fine.
TODO: How much?
How was the Australia federation established?
- 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
What does the Australia consitution establishes?
- The parliament consisting of House of Representatives and the Senate
- High Court of Australia
How can the constitution be changed?
By referendum
What’s the criteria for a change via referendum?
Double majority
- Majority across the nation
- Majority of states
How is the power of state controlled?
- 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.
What is a minister?
Responsible for a government department.
Who is Australia’s Head of State?
Queen Elizabeth II
What is the Governor-General?
The Head of State’s (The queen) representative in Australia.
How is the governor-General appointed?
It’s appointed by the head of state, on advice from the Prime Minister.
What is the Queen’s role in the government?
The queen has no day-to-day role in the government.
Who is the leader of the government?
The Prime Minister
Explain the constitutional Monarchy in Australia
- The Queen is the head of the state
- Has to act in accordance with the Constitution
What is the role of the Governor-General?
- signing all Bills (Royal Assent)
- Performing ceremonial duties
- Approving appointment of officials
- Starting elections
- Commander-in-Chief on the Australian Defence Force
Cite 11 government leader roles
- 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
What’s the difference between senator and MP?
The senate represents the states and are meant to keep the parliament in check. That’s why it’s called the “house of review”.
What 2 houses compose the Australian government?
Senate and House of Representatives
What other names does the house of representatives have?
Lower house or People’s house.
How many people are in the house of representative?
About 150 MP’s representing the electorates.
What are other names for the Senate?
Upper House, the house of review or The State’s House.
How many people are in the senate?
76 senators.
How are states governed?
- Similar to the Australian Government
- Each state has its own parliament and constitution.
What’s the difference between state and territory?
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.
How are local government organized?
Cities, shires, towns or municipalieties.
Each has its own council.
What is the Australian Government responsible for (federal)?
- taxes
- national economy
- immigration
- employment assitance
- posta services
- social security
- defense
- trade and commerce
- airports
- foreign affairs
What are state and Territories responsible for?
- hospitals and health services
- schools
- roads
- forests
- police
- public transport
What are local governments responsible for?
- 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
What is a political party?
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
What are the main political parties in Australia?
- Liberal Party
- Labor Party
- the Nationals
- Australian Greens
What is an “independent”?
A parliamentarian that doesn’t belong to a political party.
How is the Prime Minister selected?
It’s the leader of the party with majority of members in the house of representatives.
Who becomes the lead of opposition?
The leader of the party with second largest number of members in the house of representatives.
Who appoints ministers?
The Prime Minister
What are ministers responsible for?
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.
How are laws made?
- 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
What is a court and who is the authority?
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.
Who appoints judges?
The govenment, but the government cannot take their jobs away if they disagree with theeir decidions.
What is a Jury and what is its role?
A Jury is a group of citizens that is called in some cases to decide if someone has broken the law.
What is the police’s job?
- Protect life and property.
- Bring people to court if they believe someone broke the law
What are the most serious crimes in australia?
- Murder
- Assault
- Sexual Assault
- violence against people and property
- armed robbery or theft
- underage sex
- dangerous driving
- possession of illegal drugas
- fraud
