Quiz - Law, Society and Political Involvement

Question 1

When was Australia’s federation?

Answer 1

1901

Question 2

Give 2 examples of an exclusive power

Answer 2

immigration, defence/military

Question 3

Give 2 examples of a concurrent power

Answer 3

industrial relations, insurance

Question 4

Give 2 examples of a residual power

Answer 4

public transport, emergency services

Question 5

What is the separation of powers?

Answer 5

separation of government’s ‘arms’ - judicial, legislative and executive

Question 6

What is the division of powers?

Answer 6

legislative power being shared between the levels of government (local, state and federal)

Question 7

What are the 4 main roles of laws?

Answer 7

Establish boundaries, Freedom

Protection, Resolve disputes

Question 8

What’s the upper and lower houses of NSW called?

Answer 8

upper - legislative council, lower - legislative assembly

Question 9

Around how many LGAs (local government areas) in NSW?

Answer 9

(approx.) 550

Question 10

What are 2/3 local government responsibilities?

Answer 10

libraries, parks, rubbish collection

Question 11

What is a strict liability offence?

Answer 11

offences where the offender is found guilty regardless of their intent to make the offence or not (i.e. mens rea). Actus reus (physical guilty act) is enough to make it a crime

Question 12

mens rea

Answer 12

the mental element of a person’s intention to commit a crime. they INTENDED it (essentially opposite of actus reus)

Question 13

actus reus

Answer 13

the physical actions in an offence (essentially opposite of mens rea)

Question 14

barrister vs prosecutor

Answer 14

barrister represents the plaintiff in civil cases while the prosecutor has to convince the jury that the defendant is guilty in a criminal case

Question 15

what is ‘double majority’

Answer 15

in a referendum a double majority is required. (1) a majority in favour in Australia and (2) a majority in favour in at least 4 states

Question 16

explain the preferential voting system and what house uses it

Answer 16

used by House of Representatives. in the preferential voting system voters decide the candidate they want most and also the order in which they prefer the other candidates. if there is no absolute majority (50%+1) in first preference votes for any candidate, then second preferences are counted by removing the candidate with the least first preference votes and using the people who voted for them’s second preference votes, and adding those to the remaining candidates votes. this is done until there is an absolute majority.

Question 17

explain the proportional representation voting system, what house uses it and its other name

Answer 17

used by the Senate, other name is optional preferential. to win a seat, senators need a set proportion, or ‘quota’ of votes

quota is calculated by dividing the total number of formal ballot papers by the number of senators to be elected plus one, and then adding one to the result (ignoring any remainder)