government & democracy

Question 1

democracy

Answer 1

a system of government by the people in which representatives are elected.

Question 2

four key ideas of australian democracy

Answer 2

active and engaged citizens, an inclusive and equitable society, free and franchised elections, the rule of law for both citizens and government.

Question 3

key principles

Answer 3

constitutional matters, liberal democracy, pluralistic society, representative government, respect for tolerance of opposing ideas, responsible government

Question 4

3 levels of government

Answer 4

federal, state/territory and local

Question 5

federal government

Answer 5

responsible for the conduct of national affairs

Question 6

federal government responsibilities

Answer 6

Defence
Income tax
Immigration
Social welfare
External affairs

Question 7

state/territory government

Answer 7

responsible for everything not listed as a federal responsibility.

Question 8

local government

Answer 8

responsible for issues that affect local communities.

Question 9

state government responsibilities

Answer 9

Schools
Hospitals
Public transport
Electricity
Police and ambulance services

Question 10

local government responsibilities

Answer 10

Rubbish collection
Parks
Libraries and art galleries
Pet registration
Local roads

Question 11

parliament

Answer 11

parliament is the legislative body of government, makes laws, authorises the government to spend public money, scrutinises government activities, and is a forum for debate on national issues.

Question 12

elements of parliament

Answer 12

the crown, the senate, the house of representatives

Question 13

constitution

Answer 13

a set of rules, guidelines or framework for how a nation or state is governed

Question 14

the crown

Answer 14

the crown is the legal embodiment of executive, legislative and judicial governance in the monarchy of each country

Question 15

who represents the crown

Answer 15

monarch - the queen

Question 16

who represents the queen

Answer 16

governor general

Question 17

federal parliment

Answer 17

federal parliament is located in canberra in the act

Question 18

federal parliament main roles

Answer 18

legislative (making laws) representation (acting on behalf of voters and citizens) scrutiny (examining the government) and formation of the government.

Question 19

house of representatives

Answer 19

-known as the lower level
-151 members elected by the people of australia
members represent the views of australia and discuss —-matters of national and international importance.
-house is green, U shaped
-memeber = electorate
-aprox 100,000 voters

Question 20

seating arrangement (HOR)

Answer 20

• speaker sits at the open end of the U shape
• government members sit on the right side of the speaker
• opposition sits to the left of the speaker
• Prime minister and opposition leader sits in front of their respective teams at a central table.
• minor parties and independents sit in central curved parts of the U shape.

Question 21

the senate

Answer 21

• represents the state
• 76 members (12 from each state and 6 from territory)
• shares powers to make laws with the other house(HOR)
• known as the upper house
• senate is red, U shaped

Question 22

seating arrangement (senate)

Answer 22

• the president sits at the open end of the U shape.
• government senators sit to the right of the president
• opposition in the senators sit to the left.
• leader of the government in the senate and leader of the opposition sit infront of their respective teams at a central table.
• minor parties and independents sit in the central curved part of the U shape.

Question 23

political party

Answer 23

a political party is an organisation that represents a particular group or set of ideas. It aims to have member elected to parliament so their ideas can effect the way australia is governed

Question 24

political parties in australia

Answer 24

there are three main parties that represent the HOR - the australian labour party, the liberal party of australia and the nationals

Question 25

representative government

Answer 25

eligible citizens elect members of parliament to make decisions and laws on their behalf. If citizens do not think their representatives are doing a good job, they can vote for new ones at the next election .

Question 26

the perferential voting system

Answer 26

to be elected the preferential voting system, a candidate with the fewest votes at this point will be excluded and the vote for this candidate are redistributed to the voters next choice candidate

Question 27

compulsory voting

Answer 27

The Australian Electoral Commission states: “It is compulsory by law for all eligible Australian citizens to enrol and vote in federal elections, by-elections and referendums.”

Question 28

Distinguish between the Prime Minister and Premier

Answer 28

Both hold power over a selected region
States they control differ
The election process differs
Prime minister belongs to the political party who won majority seats in the HOR
Responsible for issues concerning Australia
Premier is elected into lower house and leader of victorian labour party
Responsibilities include; things concerning their state

Question 29

steps of the preferential voting system

Answer 29

1 on ballot paper, according to their 1 and 2 preferences voters
2 all number 1 votes are counted for each candidate
3 if candidate wins majority they will be elected
4 if no candidate wins majority the candidate with the fewest votes will be excluded
5 the person that voted for the excluded candidate second preference is prioritised
6 the same process happens for 4 and 5
7 this process continues until a candidate wins majority
8 a HOR cadidate gets elected when they win majority