Australian Government and Law Overview

Foreign Aid

• Two main types: Development and Emergency Aid

Japan and Australia

• Similarity: Both use a parliamentary system.

Australia and India

• Difference: Australia has a governor-general, while India has a president.

Criminal Law

• Deals with public offenses.

• Examples: Illegal use of a motor vehicle.

Civil Law

• Deals with non-criminal disputes between individuals or groups.

• Example: Unpaid debts.

Australian Government

• Three levels: Federal, State, and Local.

Separation of Powers

• The division of governmental power among different branches (Parliament, Executive, Judiciary).

• Importance: Ensures no single person or group has too much power or influence.

Victoria's Highest Court

• The Supreme Court or Supreme Court Appeals Division.

Crime

• An act that causes physical or psychological harm that is against the law.

Precedent

• A legal principle established by a court in resolving a dispute.

Australian Citizen Rights

• Right to vote
• Right to sponsor family members for migration
• Seek election to Parliament
• Register children born overseas as Australian citizens by descent
• Work within government and defence force.

Australian Citizen Responsibilities

• Obey laws
• Defend Australia if necessary
• Respect the rights, beliefs, and opinions of others
• Serve on a jury if called
• Behave in accordance with Australian democratic beliefs.

Social Media's Impact on Australia

• Provides voice to marginalized groups.
• Enables communication with loved ones.
• Can spread false information about government.
• Causes anxiety and depression.

Australia and Japan Political System

• Similarity: Based on the idea of democracy.
• Difference: Japan's highest court is the Supreme Court; Australia's highest court is the High Court.
• Difference: Australia uses preferential voting and Japan uses single-member districts and proportional representation.

Australia and Indonesia Political System

• Similarity: Both are based on democracy and have 3 branches of separation of powers.

Australia and India Political System

• Difference: Australia's executive is led by the Prime Minister, and India's by the President; Australia's parliament is bicameral, and India's is bicameral.

• Similarity: Both are democratic political systems. Australia's electoral system is preferential voting and India's is multi-party and first-past-the-post.

Australia and Philippines Political System

• Difference: Australia's government is a federal parliamentary constitutional monarchy, and the Philippines' is a unitary presidential constitutional republic.
• Similarity: Both are under democratic systems and have bicameral legislative branches.

Australia and Philippines Political System (differences continued)

• Difference: Australia has a party system and Philippines has a multi-party system.

Foreign Aid

• National government: Builds trade relationships and contributes to social welfare.
• Private foundations and corporations: Build good public image and contribute to social welfare.

Australia's Role in the United Nations

• Promoting global peace
• Sustainable development
• Human Rights
• Security
• Humanitarian Aid.

Australia's Contribution to Global Citizenship

• Humanitarian Relief efforts. More than $500 million AUD for Syria and other countries.

Social Cohesion

• Getting people together to unite society.
• Threats include: Impact to health and crime.

Social Cohesion Program

• Program: Community Development Program focused on social integration.

• Advantages: Strengthens social bonds and reduces social tensions.

• Disadvantages: Short-term focus and resource intensive aspects.

This quiz covers essential topics related to the Australian government, its legal systems, and the concepts of foreign aid. Explore the differences between criminal and civil law, the structure of government, and the principles of separation of powers. Test your knowledge on these crucial aspects of Australian society.