the representative nature of parliament

Question 1

introduction to the representative nature of parliament

Answer 1

• Australia’s parliamentary system is representative of the people.
• Members of parliament and government at both Commonwealth and state levels are elected by the people to make laws on their behalf.
• If members fail to make laws that reflect the people’s views and values or fail to address community needs, they risk not being re-elected.
• This principle is essential to the democratic system.
• It ensures that members of parliament engage with and listen to the electorate’s views and concerns.

Question 2

Birthplace

Answer 2

• 27.6% of the Australian population (more than 7 million people) were born overseas

Question 3

First Nations people

Answer 3

• 3.2% of the Australian population (812 828 people) identified as being of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander origin

Question 4

Language

Answer 4

• 22.8% of the Australian population (5.8 million people) reported using a language other than English at home

Question 5

Religion

Answer 5

• 43.8% of the Australian population (11.1 million people) identified as Christian
• 10% of the Australian population (2.5 million people) identified as having another religion
• 38.9% of the Australian population (9.8 million people) identified as having no religion

Question 6

Sex and age

Answer 6

• 50.7 per cent of the Australian population were female, with a median age of 39 years
• 49.3 per cent of the Australian population were male, with a median age of 37 years

Question 7

the diversity of parliament

Answer 7

• Australia’s 2021 ABS census shows the country’s diversity.
• Despite this diversity, Australian parliaments do not generally reflect it.
• Female representation is increasing, but First Nations members and those from non-European backgrounds remain underrepresented.
• Lack of diversity in parliaments may result in certain groups or their interests being underrepresented in law-making.
• Professor Tim Soutphommasane from the University of Sydney argues that a lack of cultural diversity in politics leads to non-representative politics.
• Others argue that the diversity of parliaments does not impact their ability to represent people and that MPs can still understand and address community needs.

Question 8

define demonstration

Answer 8

a gathering of people to protest or express their common concern or dissatisfaction with an existing law as a means of influencing law reform

Question 9

define Victorian Law Reform
Commission (VLRC)

Answer 9

Victoria’s leading independent law reform organisation. The VLRC reviews, researches and makes recommendations to the state parliament about possible changes to Victoria’s laws

Question 10

diversity of parliament - example

Answer 10

• Individuals and communities can communicate with their local members of parliament.
• Methods such as petitions and demonstrations can be used to express views
• Parliaments can use formal law reform bodies to gauge community views for law-making.
  
  • Examples include parliamentary committees and the Victorian Law Reform Commission (VLRC)
• Members of parliament may argue that they have successfully introduced and implemented important legislative reforms protecting and promoting minority groups’ interests.
  
  • Examples include vilification laws and laws relating to the LGBTQIA+ community.

Question 11

willing to act in accordance with the views of the majority

Answer 11

• The representative nature of parliament encourages MPs to listen to community views and make laws accordingly.
• People can express their need for law reform through activities like petitions, demonstrations, social media, and contacting local MPs.
• These activities can be influential in promoting law reform due to the representative nature of parliament and government.
• Demands for law reform can be expressed through the media, such as the response in Victoria to incidents involving the Nazi swastika symbol.
• Lawmaking based on majority views isn’t always beneficial; MPs might introduce popular laws to win votes rather than necessary, but unpopular, laws.
• Example: The ALP’s campaign for a national anti-corruption commission resonated with voters before the 2022 federal election.
• Governments might introduce popular laws, like tax cuts or harsher crime penalties, to gain voter support, which may not always be in the country’s best interests.
• It’s difficult for MPs to assess majority views on controversial issues like decriminalising drug use, lowering the voting age, or imposing gender quotas.
• Governments may struggle to predict future community needs, leading to laws lagging behind technological advancements in areas like assisted reproductive treatment and genome testing.
• Effective governments should be proactive, anticipating future issues, such as discrimination based on genome testing, and creating protective laws accordingly.

Question 12

regular elections

Answer 12

• Regular elections ensure representative government by allowing people to vote for their parliamentary representatives.
• Governments not representing the majority’s needs risk being voted out in the next election.
• Voting is compulsory in Australia, sparking debate:
  
  • Critics say it forces disinterested, possibly ill-informed votes.
  • Supporters argue it ensures majority support and makes candidates address the entire society’s needs.
• Commonwealth Parliament elections are held every three years, Victorian Parliament elections every four years on the last Saturday in November.
• A criticism of federal elections is the lack of a fixed date, allowing the government to call early elections to suit political conditions.
• Changing the federal election timing to extend the term would require a referendum due to Section 28 of the Constitution.
• Four-year terms might:
  
  • Encourage governments to introduce long-term beneficial reforms despite short-term negative impacts.
  • Provide more certainty for voters and boost business confidence, reducing pre-election investment delays.

Question 13

define referendum

Answer 13

the method used for changing the wording of the Australian Constitution. A referendum requires a proposal to be approved by the Australia people in a public vote by a double majority

Question 14

explanation points

Answer 14

• Parliament is elected by the people and makes laws reflecting community views and values. Failure to do so can jeopardize re-election chances.
• Australia is diverse, but parliaments often do not reflect this diversity, especially in First Nations and non-European representation.
• Female representation is increasing across all parliaments in Australia.
• The lack of diversity may lead to some groups and their interests being underrepresented.
• The representative nature of parliament encourages MPs to listen to community views, with social media being a powerful tool for gauging these views.
• The Constitution’s election requirement allows the public to vote out governments that fail to act in the majority’s interests or break promises.
• Fixed-term elections, like in Victoria, provide parliaments a specified period to implement their programs and give voters certainty about election timing.

Question 15

discussion points

Answer 15

• Despite limited parliamentary diversity, individuals, pressure groups, and law reform bodies can influence law reform to consider minority views.
• Governments may support populist law reforms to win voter support while avoiding contentious issues, especially before elections.
• Governments may avoid initiating law reforms opposed by well-organized and vocal minority groups.
• Assessing majority views on controversial issues and predicting future views and needs can be challenging for parliament.
• Compulsory voting exists, but a criticism of the federal system is the lack of fixed election dates, allowing for early elections.