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AUS Citizenship Test > Government and the Law in Australia > Flashcards

Government and the Law in Australia Flashcards

1
Q

At the citizenship ceremony, you pledge to

A

uphold and obey the laws of Australia

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2
Q

How do you have your say in running the country

A

Voting and raising matters with your representatives

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3
Q

Citizens aged 18 years or over must enrol to vote it _, _ and _

A

Federal, state and territory elections and referenda on constitutional change

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3
Q

Citizens aged 18 years or over must enrol to vote it _, _ and _

A

Federal, state and territory elections and referenda on constitutional change

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4
Q

What does AEC stand for and what do they do

A

Australian Electoral Commission

Commonwealth agency responsible for conducting federal elections and referendums, and maintaining the Commonwealth electoral roll

Independent from the government. Political parties or people in government cannot influence the AEC

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5
Q

On what date were the colonies united into a federation of states called Commonwealth of Australia

A

1 January 1901

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6
Q

Each colony had its own _ and _

A

Constitution and laws

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7
Q

What is the Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act 1900 (Australian Constitution)

A

Legal document that sets out basic rules for government in Australia

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8
Q

In what year was the Australian Constitution originally passed and on what date did it come into effect

A

Passed in 1900 as part of a British Act of Parliament

Came into effect on 1 January 1901

Making Australia an independent nation

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9
Q

What document established Parliament, consisting of a House of Representatives and a Senate, and also the High Court of Australia

A

Australian Constitution

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10
Q

How much of a majority is required on a referendum vote to change the constitution

A

Double majority vote, meaning the majority of voters in the majority of states AND the majority of voters across the nation

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11
Q

How is the power of government controlled (types of power)

A

Legislative power, executive power, judicial power

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12
Q

What is the legislative power

A

The power to make laws

Parliament has legislative power

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13
Q

What is executive power

A

The power to put laws into practice

The prime minister, Australian government ministers and the Governor General have this power.

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14
Q

What is judicial power

A

The power to interpret and apply the law

Courts and judges are independent of parliament and government

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15
Q

Who is Australia’s Head of State

A

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

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16
Q

Who does the Queen appoint as her representative in Australia

A

The Governor-General, from advice from the Australian Prime Minister

The Governor-General acts independently of all political parties

In each state, there is a governor who represents the Queen in a role similar to the Governor-General

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16
Q

Who does the Queen appoint as her representative in Australia

A

The Governor-General, from advice from the Australian Prime Minister

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17
Q

What is a constitutional monarchy

A

The Queen is Australia’s Head of State, but has to act in accordance with the constitution

The Queen’s powers are delegated to the Governor-General in Australia

Australia is a constitutional monarchy

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18
Q

Who is the leader of the Australian government (like the president)

A

Prime Minister

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19
Q

What is the Governor-General’s role and responsibilities

A
  • Remain politically neutral
  • Sign bills passed by the Australian Parliament into law (this is called a Royal Assent)
  • Ceremonial duties
  • Approve appointment of Australian ministers, federal judges and other officials
  • Start the process for federal elections
  • Commander-In-Chief of the Australian Defense Force
  • Use ‘reserve powers’ in specific special circumstances
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20
Q

What is the head of state

A

Queen of Australia (the Queen)

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21
Q

What is the Governor-General

A

Representative of the Queen / head of state

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22
Q

What is a Governor

A

Representative of the Queen / head of state in each Australian state

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23
Q

What is the Prime Minister

A

Leader of the Australian government

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24
Q

What is a Premier

A

Leader of each state

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25
Q

What is a Chief Minister

A

Leader of each territory

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26
Q

What is a Government Minister

A

Appointed member of Parliament who is responsible for an area of government

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27
Q

What is a Member of Parliament (MP)

A

Elected representative in the Australian Parliament (national) or a state parliament

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28
Q

What is a Senator

A

Elected representative of a state or territory in the Australian Parliament (national)

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29
Q

What is a Major / Shire President

A

Leader of local government

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30
Q

What is a Councillor

A

Elected member of a local council

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31
Q

What are other names for the Australian government (2)

A

Federal government or Commonwealth government

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32
Q

What are the two houses of Parliament (national)

A

House of Representatives and the Senate

Both are elected officials

33
Q

What color is the floor in the House of Representatives

A

Green

think Green House

34
Q

What color is the floor in the Senate

A

Red

think Satan Senate - red

35
Q

What are other names for the House of Representatives (2)

A

Lower House or the People’s House

36
Q

Where do Members of Parliament (MPs) represent the people

A

In the electorate

37
Q

What is the number of Members of Parliament (MPs) for each state and territory based on

A

The number of people in that state or territory

38
Q

How many Members of Parliament (MPs) are there in Australia overall

A

150

39
Q

What do Members of Parliament (MPs) debate

A

Proposals for new laws or changes to laws

40
Q

What are other names for the Senate

A

Upper House, the House of Review or the State’s House

41
Q

All states are equally represented by the _, regardless of their population or size

A

Senate

42
Q

How many Senators are there in Australia overall

A

76

43
Q

How many Senators are in each state

A

12

44
Q

How many Senators are in each territory

A

2

45
Q

What do Senators debate

A

Proposals for new laws or changes to laws

46
Q

Where are state and territory governments based

A

In their capital cities

47
Q

Each state has their own _ and _

A

Parliament and constitution

48
Q

In the NT, the Governor-General appoints a _ to represent them

A

Administrator

49
Q

_ have rights recognized by the Australian Constitution, while _ do not

A

States do, territories do not

50
Q

_ have the power to pass laws, while self-governing _ laws can be altered or revoked by the Australian government at any time

A

States have, while self-governing territories can be altered / revoked at any time

51
Q

In state and territory elections, citizens vote to elect representatives, who become members of _

A

The relevant state or territory parliament

52
Q

What are local government areas in states and territories called (4)

A

Cities, shires, towns or municipalities

53
Q

Each area has its own local _

A

Council

54
Q

Councils are responsible for

A

Planning and delivering services to the local community

55
Q

Citizens in each local area vote to elect their local _

A

Councillors

56
Q

The Australian Government (national) is responsible for (10)

A
  • tax
  • national economics
  • immigration & citizenship
  • employment assistance
  • postal services & communications network
  • social security / pensions & family support
  • defense
  • trade & commerce
  • airports & air safety
  • foreign affairs
57
Q

State and territory governments are responsible for (6)

A
  • hospitals & health services
  • schools
  • roads & railways
  • forestry
  • police & ambulance services
  • public transport
58
Q

Local governments and the ACT are responsible for (12)

A
  • Street signs & traffic controls
  • Local roads, footpaths, bridges, drains
  • Parks, playgrounds, swimming pools, sports grounds
  • Camping grounds, caravan parks
  • Food & meat inspection
  • Noise & animal control
  • Rubbish collection
  • Local libraries, halls & community centers
  • Child care and aged care issues
  • Building permits
  • Social planning
  • Local environment issues
59
Q

What are the 3 levels of government

A

National, state / territory, local

60
Q

What is a political party

A

Group of people who share similar ideas about how a country should be governed

61
Q

What are the 4 main political parties in Australia

A

Liberal (conservatives - more city)

Labor (center right, working class)

Nationals (conservatives - more regional)

Greens (democratic)

62
Q

Who are independents

A

People who don’t identify with any political party

63
Q

How is the federal government formed after a federal election

A

By the party or coalition of parties with the majority of members in the House of Representatives

The leader of this party becomes the Prime Minister

64
Q

Who forms the Opposition after a federal election

A

The party or coalition of parties with the second largest number of members in the House of Representatives

Its leader is called the Leader of the Opposition

65
Q

Who recommends and who approves the appointment of the Prime Minister and other ministers

A

Current/incumbent Prime Minister recommends, Governor-General approves

66
Q

What is the area of government that ministers are responsible for called

A

Portfolio

67
Q

Employment, Indigenous Affairs and the Treasury are examples of

A

Portfolios (that ministers handle)

68
Q

Who makes up the Cabinet and what is it

A

Ministers with the most important portfolios

The key decision making body of government

69
Q

Who has the power to make or change laws in Australia

A

Parliament (which includes the House of Representatives and Senate)

70
Q

What are the 4 steps to making or changing a law

A
  1. Member of Parliament puts forth a Bill, which is a proposal for a new law or change to an existing law
  2. The House of Reps and Senate debate and vote on the Bill
  3. If the majority of each the House of Reps AND the Senate agree, then the Bill goes to the Governor-General
  4. The Governor-General signs the Bill, making it a law. This is called a Royal Assent
71
Q

What is a Royal Assent

A

When the Governor-General signs a Bill to make it a law

72
Q

What are the 4 ways that laws are enforced

A
  1. Courts
  2. Judges, magistrates, justices
  3. Juries
  4. Police
73
Q

What are the 4 levels of court and names of their judges

A

Federal, highest: High court (justice person)
State: Supreme court (justice person)
Local: Country court (judge person)
Local, Lowest: Magistrate court (magistrate person)

74
Q

What can courts base their decisions on

A

Only the evidence in front of them

75
Q

Who are judges and magistrates appointed by

A

The government

76
Q

What is a jury

A

Group of ordinary citizens randomly chosen from the general population

77
Q

In a criminal trial, if the jury finds a person guilty, who decides the penalty

A

The judge

78
Q

What is the police’s job

A

Protect life and property, maintain peace and order in the community

79
Q

The police may _, but it is the court who _

A

Police may give evidence, but the court decides if they’re guilty or not

80
Q

What is the national police force called

A

AFP: Australian Federal Police

81
Q

What government controls road and traffic laws

A

State and territory government

82
Q

What is the difference between the legislature, executive and judiciary

A

legislature: make the laws
executive: enforce the laws
judiciary: interpret the laws

AUS Citizenship Test (6 decks)

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