Legal System exam Flashcards
Australian values
respect,
- fairness,
- equality of opportunity.
“In order to maintain a stable, peaceful, and prosperous community, Australians of all backgrounds are expected to uphold the shared principles and values that underpin Australian society.” Explain what this statement means.
This statement means that everyone must follow the laws and values of Australia in order to be a good place to live.
Rule vs Law
the consequences associated with breaking them. the weight of a law is much heavier than the weight of a rule.
Features of a good law
- known and understood,
- able to adapt to change,
- stable and consistent,
- enforceable
Rule of law
the restriction of the arbitrary exercise of power by subordinating it to well-defined and established laws.
who makes laws
federal Parliament makes the laws in Australia
Who enforces laws
Australian Federal Police enforce the laws in Australia
What is the purpose of the constitution
The Constitution establishes the composition of the Australian Parliament, describes how Parliament works and what powers it has, outlines how the federal and state Parliaments share power and the roles of the executive government and the High Court of Australia.
Representative democracy=
a type of democracy where an elected person represents a group of people,
How are the powers of government separated in the constitution?
The Separation of Powers in the Constitution divides the institutions of government into three groups. These are the Legislature, the Executive, and the Judiciary.
What is the role and function of the judiciary, legislative and executive?
The legislature (Parliament) debates and makes laws.
The Executive Government,('the government), recommends new laws and puts them to Parliament.
The Judiciary applies and interprets the law.What are the three levles of government
Federal
state
local
What does the federal government deal with
Collects Taxes Trade Defense Immigration Environment
What does the state government deal whit
Schools Housing Health Roads/Railways Police Ambulance
what does the local government deal with
Collect Rates Town Planning Rubbish Water Surge Roads Pet control
What makes up the Federal parliament? And what is the difference between them?
the House of Representatives represent districts
Senate senators represent their entire state
How are members of the parliament elected?
By a system of preferential voting
Is voting compulsory? What age?
Voting is compulsory at age 18 in Australia
What type of voting system does the House of Representatives use
is preferential, that is, voters have to rank all candidates in order of preference—they may not just vote for one candidate.
What are political parties?
an organization that coordinates candidates to compete in a country’s elections.
What is a party platform?
a formal set of principle goals which are supported by a political party or individual candidate, in order to appeal to the general public,
