U3O1 Flashcards
What is our parliamentary system called?
Westminister System
What type of system is our parliamentary system? How many houses does it consist of and what are they called.
Bicameral System
Consists of two houses
Upper house: house of lords
Lower house: house of commons
What is the upper house of australian parliament? How many members does it include?
Senate
76 members
What is the lower house of australian parliament? How many members does it include?
House of representatives
150 members
What is the upper house of victorian parliament? How many members does it include?
Legislative Council
40 members
What is the lower house of victorian parliament? How many members does it include?
Legislative Assembly
88 members
Who represents the queen in commonwealth parliament?
Governor General
Who represents the queen in state parliament?
Governor
What is the role/structure of house of representatives?
150 members
Lower House in australian parliament
Bills get initiated in this house
Represents the people
What is the role/structure of senate?
76 members
Upper House in australian parliament
Protects interests of the states and ensures that laws are made in interests of whole community
Acts as a house of review/second set of eyes as it can review legislation passed from lower house
Can amend or reject any proposed laws
Initiate bills
What is the role/structure of legislative assembly?
88 members Lower House of victorian parliament House of peoples- represents people Party that wins majority in legislative assembly forms government initiates most bills
What is the role/structure of Legislative Council?
40 members
Upper House
House of review
Initiation of bills (except money bills)
What is the role of the crown?
Represents the queen
Gives royal assent to legislation once passed by both houses of parliament
This stage is just formality
The crown has power to stop the royal assent but never does
Has several reserve powers but are usually used on advice of the government
What is royal assent?
Formal signing of a bill and is the final step before a bill becomes a law
What is representative government?
Represents views of people in majority
Should make laws that reflect the views and values of society
Representatives are chosen by the people
Regular elections are held to ensure government remains representative
If they are found unrepresentative they will not be re-elected
What happens if the government does not represent the views of majority?
They will most likely be voted out
What is responsible government?
Responsible to parliament and therefore the people
The government is answerable and accountable to parliament for their actions, so they must act fairly and responsibly
You can tell if they are accountable for their actions through question time
What happens if government loses support?
They must resign
What are the 3 principles of the separation of powers?
Legislative Power
Executive Power
Judicial Power
What does the legislative branch have the power to do?
Power to make laws
What does the executive branch have the power to do?
Power to implement and administer the laws
What does the judicial branch have the power to do?
Power to enforce the law and settle legal disputes
Who is legislative power used by?
Parliament
Who is executive power used by?
Governor general on advice of government
Who is judicial power used by?
Courts
What 2 branches overlap? Explain how
Legislative and Executive
The governor general is part of both parliament and the executive powers and some members of parliament (legislative) are also members of government (executive)
What power is kept separate? Why?
Judicial Power
The have the ability to check on the operation of the legislative and executive branches e.g. they can rule if a piece of legislation is valid if parliament has acted outside its powers.
Why must the 3 powers be used by different bodies?
They are kept separate so no one has absolute power
