HASS CIVICS AND CITIZENSHIP

Question 1

Australia’s System of Government

Answer 1

Constitutional Monarchy and a representative democracy

Question 2

Constitution Monarchy

Answer 2

A system of government in which the head of state is a monarch whose power is limited by a constitution.

Question 3

Representative Democracy

Answer 3

A type of democracy where elected people represent a group of people

Question 4

When was the Australian Constitution made?

Answer 4

Enacted on January 1st 1901

Question 5

Separation of powers

Answer 5

Separation of powers is a key feauture of the Australian Gov. system. The system is to provide checks and balances for those in positions or power. It is divided between the executive, legislature and the judiciary.

Question 6

The executive

Answer 6

The executive is made up of the Prime Minister and the Cabinet- they take care of running the government. They decide major policies and legislative proposals.

Question 7

The judiciary

Answer 7

The role of the federal court system is to ensure the laws of Australia are obeyed. The court system works on a presumption of innocence unless proven guilty.

Question 8

Elections to the House of representatives

Answer 8

The House of representatives has 150 members. One person represents one electorate. Members are voted in for a three year term through a preferential voting system.

Question 9

Election to the Senate

Answer 9

The Senate has 76 members. Each state has 12 representatives and each territory has two. The Senate uses a proportional voting system. Senators are elected for six years with half of the senators facing re-election every three years

Question 10

Vested Intrests

Answer 10

Vested interests are individual or groups within Australia that demand special privileges. They often pressure or lobby the government into formulating policies and enacting legislation to their advantages.

Question 11

Dangers of vested interests to democracy #1

Answer 11

Can blur the lines between government and private sector

Question 12

Dangers of vested interests to democracy #2

Answer 12

Politicians are forces to manage the demands of vested interests groups rather than have an open discussion about the implications of policy

Question 13

Organised Crime

Answer 13

Involved two or more offenders and substantial planning
Involve sophisticated methods and techniques
Are usually committed with similar offences
Involve many crimes

Question 14

Dangers of vested democracy #3

Answer 14

Allowing people outside of parliament to have influence violates the sovereignty of parliament

Question 15

Dangers of vested democracy #4

Answer 15

Companies who donate can influence the ways politicians vote on bills

Question 16

Dangers of vested democracy #5

Answer 16

Public Lobbyists are funded by taxpayers, with little accountability for the way the use the money

Question 17

Dangers of vested democracy #6

Answer 17

Bodies that receive government grants are less likely to scrutinise government policy

Question 18

Dangers of vested democracy #7

Answer 18

The media is reliant on the promotion of the vested groups. This undermines freedom of press and information

Question 19

Global impacts of organized crime #1

Answer 19

Government and citizens of developing countries are the common target for organized crime. They lack the technology and resources to fight sophisticated crime syndicates.

Question 20

Effects of organized crime in Australia

Answer 20

Affects everyone. It erodes the ability of the government to look after the public. Overall, the Australian Crime Commision estimates the cost organized crime at $15 billion a year.

Question 21

Global impacts of organized crime #2

Answer 21

Organized crime can create mistrust between nation states, preventing goodwill and creating political instability within a region. This serves as a detterent to trade, investment and legal assistance.

Question 22

Global impacts of organized crime #3

Answer 22

Australian businesses are relectunt to invest in countries where bribes and corruption are common. This means that countries needing the revenue from foreign investment miss out.

Question 23

Global impacts of organized crime #4

Answer 23

Australian foreign aid money is wasted

Question 24

Global impacts of organized crime #5

Answer 24

The Australian Defence force and Australian Federal Polic can be affected when theye go to fight in an overseas conflict

Question 25

Corruption

Answer 25

Corruption is the abuse of public office for private gain. It can pervade all aspects of political life. It can involve the movement of people, money, drugs and weapons.

Question 26

Targets of corruption #1

Answer 26

The executive within a government is often the targets for corruption because it’s members are in positions of influence and power.

Question 27

Targets of corruption #2

Answer 27

Jurors can be bribed, lawyers can have a conflict of interest, judges may be seeking political gains

Question 28

Targets of corruption in Australia #3

Answer 28

Members of an electorate can be offered bribes in return for their votes.