The representative nature of Parliament

Question 1

What is the representative nature of people?

Answer 1

-Australia’s parliamentary system is expected to be representative of the people.

-At both Commonwealth and state levels, parliament and government consist of members who are elected by the people to make laws on their behalf.

-If these members fail to make laws that reflect the views and values of the people, or fail to address the needs of the community, they will jeopardise their chance of being re-elected.

Question 2

What does the representative nature of Parliament involve?

Answer 2

• the diversity of Parliament
• willingness to act in accordance with the views of the majority
• regular elections

Question 3

The diversity of Parliament

Answer 3

• Australia’s parliaments have not generally reflected the diversity of the Australian community. 

Question 4

Effects of the diversity of Parliament:

Answer 4

• In relation to law-making, some have argued that because of a lack of diversity, certain groups of people or their interests are not represented well enough.
• On the other hand, some argue that the diversity of parliaments does not affect their ability to represent people in parliament, and that there are means by which members of parliament can understand the needs and interests of their communities. However this can be combatted through petitions, demonstrations, formal law reform bodies and has not preventing members in the past from implementing important legislative reform that protects and promotes the interests of minorities (eg. LGBTQIA+)

Question 5

Willingness to act in accordance with the views of the majority

Answer 5

• The representative nature of parliament encourages members of parliament to listen to the views of the community and make laws in accordance with these views.

Question 6

What can people do to change law?

Answer 6

• forming a petition
• organising a demonstration
• using social media
• contacting their local member of parliament.

Question 7

Strength of willingness to act in accordance with the views of the majority

Answer 7

• The fact that our parliament and government is representative of the people means that these activities can often be influential in promoting law reform.

Question 8

Weakness of willingness to act in accordance with the views of the majority

Answer 8

• However, members of parliament may introduce and support laws that are popular with voters rather than passing laws that may be necessary, but are unpopular with voters.
• eg. govs may introduce popular laws to win votes (promoting tax cuts to win support of voters without regard of whats best for the country)
• can be difficult to accurately predict future views and needs of Community and make laws to provide for them

Question 9

Regular elections

Answer 9

• To achieve representative government, regular elections must be held so the people can vote for politicians to represent them in parliament.
• If the government does not represent the needs of the majority of the people during its term in office, it is likely to be voted out of office at the next election.

Question 10

Strength of compulsory voting

Answer 10

Helps ensure Parliament have support of majority of people (not just voters) and consider their needs

Question 11

Weakness of compulsory voting

Answer 11

May encourage those uninterested to cast an ill-informed vote- undermining rep. gov

Question 12

Timing of elections

Answer 12

Commonwealth Parliament elections: every 3 years not at fixed date

Victorian Parliament: every 4 years at fixed date

Increasing term of Gov. may encourage govs to be more willing to introduce law reforms with longer terms and also gives voters more certainty