HASS CIVICS AND CITIZENSHIP Flashcards
Australia’s System of Government
Constitutional Monarchy and a representative democracy
Constitution Monarchy
A system of government in which the head of state is a monarch whose power is limited by a constitution.
Representative Democracy
A type of democracy where elected people represent a group of people
When was the Australian Constitution made?
Enacted on January 1st 1901
Separation of powers
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.
The executive
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.
The judiciary
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.
Elections to the House of representatives
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.
Election to the Senate
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
Vested Intrests
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.
Dangers of vested interests to democracy #1
Can blur the lines between government and private sector
Dangers of vested interests to democracy #2
Politicians are forces to manage the demands of vested interests groups rather than have an open discussion about the implications of policy
Organised Crime
Involved two or more offenders and substantial planning
Involve sophisticated methods and techniques
Are usually committed with similar offences
Involve many crimes
Dangers of vested democracy #3
Allowing people outside of parliament to have influence violates the sovereignty of parliament
Dangers of vested democracy #4
Companies who donate can influence the ways politicians vote on bills
Dangers of vested democracy #5
Public Lobbyists are funded by taxpayers, with little accountability for the way the use the money
Dangers of vested democracy #6
Bodies that receive government grants are less likely to scrutinise government policy
Dangers of vested democracy #7
The media is reliant on the promotion of the vested groups. This undermines freedom of press and information
Global impacts of organized crime #1
Government and citizens of developing countries are the common target for organized crime. They lack the technology and resources to fight sophisticated crime syndicates.
Effects of organized crime in Australia
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.
Global impacts of organized crime #2
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.
Global impacts of organized crime #3
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.
Global impacts of organized crime #4
Australian foreign aid money is wasted
Global impacts of organized crime #5
The Australian Defence force and Australian Federal Polic can be affected when theye go to fight in an overseas conflict
