Misc Knowledge Flashcards
Section 128 of the Constitution
The section detailing how the constitution is altered through the use of referendums
Section 109 of the Constitution
If a law of the Commonwealth and the law of the state contradict one and other, the law of the commonwealth always prevails.
Section 96 of the Constitution
The allowance of the Commonwealth to create tied grants
Section 51 of the Constitution
Outlines concurrent powers
Section 116 of the Constitution
States may not legislate in respect of religion
Give a named example of a bill and its transition through Parliament
The Higher Education Reform Bill was included in the 2014 federal budget under the Abbot coalition government. It aimed to cut the level of public funding to universities by 20% but also deregulate uni fees which would allow for greater competition between unis. The bill passes through the lower house due to the government majority, however the Coalition does not have the majority in the senate. Thus the bill was rejected by Labor and Greens twice in the senate in 2015 and then consequently shelved by the Turnbull government. In April 2016 the Turnbull government introduced the bill again to lead up to the 2016 budget, lowering the threshold of income before a student would begin to have to pay off their hex debt.
When was the Racial Discrimination Act?
1975
When was the Native Title Act?
1993
When was the Euthanasia Act?
1996
Give an example of two inquisitorial Cases
2005 Schapelle Corby
In 2005 Schapelle Corby was stopped at Denpasar airport and found to be holding 4.2 kilograms of cannabis inside her boogie board bag. The Indonesian police seemed to have a prima facie case against her, however her main defence was the she did not know it was in the bag and someone else placed it. The case was heard in the Denpasar district court infront of three judges, Corbys defence maintained that the cannabis was placed in her bag by corrupt baggage handlers, and a prisoner who had overheard such discussions in prison was flown over to testify in the trial, something that would be considered hearsay evidence in adversarial law. Neither the defence or prosecution tried to uncover any forensic evidence, and the defences claims were rejected by the court. The judge questioned all witnesses, including an expert Australian criminologist who was asked to look into Corbys eyes and see if there was truth.
2005 Bali Nine
In 2005 nine Australians were caught for trafficking 8.3 kilograms of heroin. Put on trial in 2006, seven of the group received varying prison sentences but the two ringleaders received the death penalty. Several appeals were made including the appeal for clemency to Joko Widodo, however they all failed and in 2015 the two ringleaders were executed by firing squad. The process of this case highlighted several issues for Australians, firstly there were alleged bribes handed to judges in order to alter the sentences. Secondly, the amount of appeals demonstrated the inconsistency in the Indonesian system regarding different court decisions, and lastly the issue of capital punishment as a criminal sanction raised alarm for many Australians.
Give some statistics on mediation in WA
Between 2003-2013, the number of mediated cases doubled and over 60% of these cases were either fully or partially solved.
Give some statistics on Indigenous youth detention in WA
It is 52 times more likely in WA for an indigenous youth to be in juvenile detention than a non-indigenous youth.
