UNIT 3 - AOS 1A Flashcards
Bicameral
Parliament which consists of two houses or chambers including an upper house and lower house e.g. senate and house of representatives
Cabinet
Policy making body that decides what changes should be made to the law. It is made up of senior ministers and the prime ministers or premier at state level snd is to decide on general government policy and formulate bills to present to parliament.
Crown
The authority of the queen is represented in Australia by the governor general (federal) and the governor of each state.
Government
Government is formed by the political party that is in power and governs the country/state. This is the party which achieves the largest number of members voted in the lower house (federal) and legislative assembly (state). The role of the government is to decide on what laws should be introduced to parliament
House of Representatives
The lower house of parliament where government is formed and lead by the prime minister of the party which acquires power
Legislation
laws made by parliament, known as acts of parliament or statutes
Legislative assembly
The lower house of victorian parliament where state government is formed
Legislative Council
The upper house of the victorian parliament
minister
a government minister is a member of parliament who is also a member of a political party that has formed government and is responsible of a government department e.g. environment
parliament
the supreme law making body consisting of all elected member of both houses from all political parties and the crows representative. The main role of parliament is to make laws
Prime Minister
The member of parliament who leads the political party that has formed government
Royal Assent
the signing of a proposed law by the crown’s representative before it becomes law.
Senate
The upper house of commonwealth parliament which has equal powers with the HOR for making laws as each state elects 12 representatives and 2 from each territory
Separation of powers
refers to the fact that there are three separate types of powers, which are: legislative power, executive power, and judicial power.
Statute
Also known as an act of parliament and is another term for legislation, laws made by parliament
Supremacy of Parliament
aka: sovereignty of parliament and refers to the final law making powers rests with the parliament. Parliament can repeal and amend its own previous legislation and can pass legislation to override common law.
Westminster principles
The set of principles that underpin the parliamentary system. The principles of representative government, responsible government, the separation of powers, the structure of federal and state parliaments and the roles played by the crown and houses of parliament.
what are the westminster principles
- representative government
- responsible government
- the separation of powers
- structure of federal and state parliaments
- roles played by the crown and houses of parliament
SEPARATION OF POWER
legislative power
the power to create law and this is held by the parliament
SEPARATION OF POWER
executive power
the power to administer government policy and this is held by the PM and senior ministers. However in theory it should be the crown and ministers
SEPARATION OF POWER
judicial power
the power of the courts to interpret and apply the law and is held by the courts and tribunals
roles of the senate
- to develop bills (except money bills)
- act as a scrutinising government
- act as a responsible government
role of the house of representatives
- to form government
- act as a responsible government
- act as a representative government
- control government expenditure
- initiate and develop bills to become bills
how is the house of representatives formed
elected by people according to the state/territories population and where the party in government holds the majority of seats
how many members in HOR
150
how many members in senate
76 members
role of the crown
represented by governor general - peter cosgove
executive power of the commonwealth is vested in the queen and is exercised by the governor general
- responsibility of appointing federal executive council, dissolve government/senate, appoint ministers, approve delegated legislation.
executive council
made up of the prime minister and senior ministers
royal assent
the signing of a proposed law by the governor general which is necessary before the act of parliament can be made law.
role of governor general
appointed by queen on advice of pm
- performing duties of executive council
- designating times for parliamentary sessions
- dissolving house of reps to bring about an election
- appointing judges to courts
- exercising reserve powers.
- ensure that the democratic system operates effectively
role of legislative council
- act as house of review
- initiate bills but not money bills
- scrutinise legislative assembly
- responsible government
role of legislative assembly
- form government
- develop bills including money bills
- representative government
role of crown ( state level)
represented by governor appointed by monarch on advice of premier
- acting as part of state executive council
- reserve powers such as dismissing premier
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does the state governor have power to withhold royal assent
no
does the governor general have the power to withhold royal assent
yes
who makes up the cabinet and what is its function
the prime minister and senior ministers and is to decide on general government policy and to formulate proposed laws to be introduced into parliament.
representative government
a government which presents the views of the majority of society and answerable to the people. Each state is represented equally in the upper house despite population on state allowing for minorities to be heard ??????
responsible government
a government which is accountable and answerable to to the people for it’s actions, ministers and prime ministers and government departments are accountable to parliament and can only continue if it has the support of the lower house
what are the five principles within - Effectiveness of the parliamentary system
- parliament a rubber stamp ?
- time for debate
- participation by individuals
- restrictions on parliament
- laws should reflect society’s values
How can a government act responsible ??
3 different methods.
- ministerial accountability. Where they are are assigned to a department/portfolio where they must take accountability for expenses and success and must answer to the government and are expected to resign if lost support of parliament.
- opportunity of public scrutiny in law making so the public can hold government accountable where the government must respond to the parliament and therefore the people
- question time by conducting debates to ensure accountability to the parliament and people for the governments actions.
How many regions does the senate represent / how is it formed
Represents each state and territory.
12 each state
2 each territory
No matter population = equal representation
How many regions are represented in the House of Representatives
150 as there is a seat for every electorate
How many regions are represented in the legislative council
8 regions
How many regions are represented in the legislative assembly
88
How many seats in legislative assembly
88 seats
How many seats in the legislative council
40
