Topic 1 Flashcards by Helena Velten

What is parliament’s main role? To who?

To make laws for the good governance of our nation or state. The Parliament of Australia in Canberra makes laws for Australia as a whole.

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Current Prime Minister? What party?

Anthony Albanese (Labor Party)

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Premier of Victoria? What party?

Jacinta Allen, Labor Party

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Lower House (Cth)? Term elected for? How many members?

House of Reps, 3 years , 151 members

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Lower House Victoria? Term elected for? How many members?

Legislative Assembly, 4 years, 88 members

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Upper House (Cth)? Term elected for? How many members?

Senate, 6 years, 76 members

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Upper House VIC? Term elected for? How many members?

Legislative Council, 4 years, 40 members

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Who is our Governor General? What is their role?

As of 2024, David Hurley. He represents the King in Australia who was appointed by the King on the recommendation of the Prime Minister.
- give assent before any new laws passed by Parliament become law
- cannot introduce new bills

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Who is our current VIC Governor? Role?

As of 2024 - Margaret Gardner. The Governor must give assent to new laws passed by the Victorian parliament.

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How a law is made - Step 1

First reading:
- The clerk reads out the title of the bill
- No discussion, no vote takes place
- An agreement is made to meet at a later date to debate and discuss bill

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How a law is made - Step 2

1st House - Second Reading
The member introducing the bill gives a speech outlining the need for the bill and key features of the bill
Other members may give a speech expressing their opinion of the bill
Members vote about whether to proceed with the bill

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How a law is made - Step 3

1st House - Consideration in detail
- If the vote is successful, progress to this stage
- The bill is now scrutinised, sentence by sentence by
each member of parliament.
- Amendments, changes or recommendations are put
forward.

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How a law is made - Step 4

1st House - Third Reading
- After all the words have been debated and agreed upon.
- One final vote to decide whether the bill progresses to
the next house.

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How a law is made Step 5-8

The process is normally the same as in the Lower House: all 4 stages

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What if a change is made to the bill in the 2nd house?

It goes back to the 1st house to start again.

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How a law is made - Step 9

A bill passed in the Upper (Second) House is presented to the Governor General / Governor in Executive Council for royal assent
Once signed by the Governor General / Governor, the bill becomes an Act of Parliament (also known as a statute)

Outline 3 reasons why Parliament needs to make new laws. Example with each.

In response to changes in societal values and norms. Example: Same-sex marriage
In response to the changing political, social or economic conditions in the country.
Example: Laws around driving under the influence of alcohol and/ or drugs
In response to changes in technology.
Example: Laws around the use of drones flying over private spaces.

What is a private member’s bill?

When a bill is introduced by someone not in the government

Example of a law that changed in Victoria

The introduction of the first medically safe injecting centre (MSIC) in Richmond, City of Yarra.

What do parliament have to consider when making new laws?

They are representing the people and acting in a way that is consistent with the interests and values of the people.

What do we do if lawmakers go rogue and we don’t want to sit around for 3-4 years to vote them out?

We hold DEMONSTRATIONS to tell them that we are NOT happy.

What are protests and demonstrations?

They are gatherings of groups of people to try to influence government policy or legislation. They include speeches, marches, and chanting.

How do protests and demonstrations influence government?

By showing the elected politicians how much existing support there is for their cause
by attracting new support among other members of the public for the relevant cause

3 examples of Demonstrations

Anti-vaccine demonstration Melbourne May 2021
‘Invasion Day’ Protests
Pro-Palestinian demonstrations

Name 2 Strengths of the effectiveness of protests and demonstrations

1. It is easy and cheap to organise, especially online 2. It can attract a lot of media attention which can influence politicians, inform people of the issues, and attract new supporters.

Name 3 Weaknesses of the effectiveness of protests and demonstrations

1. Hard to attract people as you have to make an effort to attend in person 2. If it gets out of hand or becomes violent, it will attract negative attention to the cause, leading to a loss of support 3. Parliament can easily ignore it, especially if not many people attend (indicates many ppl don't support cause)

Why was the VLRC established?

to assist the parliament and the members of Parliament to understand issues and needs in the community that might require legislative change.

Identify 2 key roles of the VLRC

1. Make recommendations to Parliament on major areas of law reform referred to them by the Attorney-General. They cannot investigate these areas of major law reform without being asked first by the attorney general. 2. Make recommendations to Parliament on minor areas of law reform They can look at these smaller topics whenever they want and don't have to wait for a referral

Do the Victorian Parliament have to listen to what the VLRC recommend?

The Victorian Parliament does not have to listen to advice provided by the VLRC however, in saying this, they usually do follow the advice of the VLRC

Step-by-step what do the VLRC do?

1. The Attorney-General refers an issue or question about a major law reform to VLRC 2. VLRC does its research by collecting data, opinions and other information. They collect information, talk to experts, review statistics and check out how things are done in other places. 3. VLRC completes its research and reports its recommendations to the A-G 4. A-G shares the VLRC report in parliament Government decides whether to change the law

Example of VLRC Cases and what was the VLRC role in it

1. Medicinal Cannabis - to investigate and make recommendations to report on options for changes to the law to allow people to be treated with medical cannabis in exceptional circumstances.

Political Parties/Seats in the current Victorian Legislative Assembly (Total = 88 seats)

Government (54 seats) (Labor) (54) Opposition (28 seats) Liberal (19) National (9) Crossbench (6 seats) Greens (4) Independent Labour (2)

General rule for laws to be able to pass

they need to get a majority of votes in both houses of parliament – the lower house and the upper house

Definition of Balance of Power

the position held by minor parties or individual members of parliament when their vote is necessary for bills or motions to be passed. W/o their support, the government cannot get enough votes to pass bills

Strengths of Balance of Power

1. the government does not have too much power they cannot pass any laws they want, they have to consult with people from other political parties 2. the views of more members of the community and members of parliament are represented

Weaknesses of Balance of Power

1. even though the party in charge of the government got the most votes and seats they might not be able to do what they want 2. it is not very democratic as parties who hold the balance of power have a lot of power