law and order exam

Question 1

topic 1

Question 2

How laws are made (steps)

Answer 2

1. idea for law is made and formed into a bill
2. first reading (1st house)
3. second reading (1st house)
4. consideration in detail (1st house)
5. third reading (1st house)
6. first reading (2nd house)
7. second reading (2nd house)
8. consideration in detail (2nd house)
9. third reading (2nd house)
10. royal assent
    Commonwealth Parliament (Canberra) makes laws for Aus
    Victorian Parliament makes decisions for Vic.

Question 3

1. idea for law is made and formed into a bill

Answer 3

someone comes up with idea and forms a bill

Question 4

2. first reading (1st house)

Answer 4

Bill (a proposed law) is introduced.

Members of parliament are given a brochure of
proposal.

Question 5

3. second reading (1st house)

Answer 5

Member discusses proposed law with rest of
parliament.
Once all have had their input, a vote takes place to
decide whether the bill progresses to the next stage.

Question 6

4. consideration in detail (1st house)

Answer 6

^ if yes..
The bill is now scrutinised, sentence by sentence by
each member of parliament.

Amendments, changes or recommendations are put
forward.

Question 7

5. third reading (1st house)

Answer 7

all words have been debated and agreed upon.

One final vote to decide whether bill progresses to
next house.

Question 8

6-9

Answer 8

The process is repeated exactly the same in the 2nd house.

If at any point, a change is made to the bill (any
change at all), it goes back to the 1st house to start
again.

Question 9

10. royal assent

Answer 9

If all the previous eight steps are successful.

Signed off by the King’s Representative.

It is extremely rare that this step is knocked back.

Once signed off, it becomes law.

Question 10

Need for laws to change

Answer 10

1. to reflect the values in our society.
2. to reflect the changes in social, political or economic conditions of our society.
3. Laws may need to change to reflect the advancements in technology in our society.

Question 11

How people can influence changes in the law – demonstrations

Answer 11

demonstration - gathering of people (usually in a public place) to voice concern about a topic
effectiveness can depend on:
- number of people
- behaviour of demonstrators
- topic of demonstration

large number of people = more influential
demonstrators behave poorly = negative impact on society

Question 12

strengths of demonstrations

Answer 12

• easy and cheap to organise
• can attract lots of media attention which can :
  -> help influence politicians
  -> attract new supporters

Question 13

weaknesses of demonstrations

Answer 13

• hard to attract lots of people - effort to attend
• may get out of hand/violent

Question 14

Balance of power

Answer 14

the position held by minor parties or individual members of parliament when their vote is necessary for bills or motions to be passed.

Such minor parties or independents are said to hold the balance of power – without their support, the government cannot get enough votes to pass bills

Question 15

what is law reform

Question 16

Victorian Law Reform Commission

Answer 16

Is a Government agency that:
- Make recommendations to Parliament on major areas of law reform referred to them by the Attorney-General
(cannot investigate these areas of major law reform without first being asked by state govt. for law)
- Make recommendations to Parliament on minor areas of law reform
(VLRC does not need to wait for referral)

the VLRC cannot change the law – it can only make recommendations to Parliament about how the law should change