Australian Government

• In Australia, laws are made by parliament.
• A parliament is a group of elected representatives who make laws on behalf of the people.
• Parliament tasks include making/altering laws, debating matters, examining societal problems, and reviewing injustices.
• Australia has a federal system, dividing the nation into states and territories, each with its own law-making parliament.
• Australia's federal parliament includes the British monarch's representative (governor general), the Senate (Upper House), and the House of Representatives (Lower house).
• Australia’s political system is based on Britain's Westminster system, where the Commonwealth and state parliaments have two houses (bicameral).
• The legislative arm is parliament's function to create or change laws, with members elected.
• The judicial arm (Court Judges) makes judgements, settles disputes, and enforces laws.
• Government controls/administers the country, makes/enforces laws, provides services, and manages policies.
• State government roles include employment, education/training, and security.
• Liberal democracy protects individual rights by limiting government control, ensuring freedom of speech/assembly while restricting offensive public behavior.
• Lawmakers consider equality, fairness, representation rights, and transparency.
• Representative government involves citizens electing representatives to parliament.
• Governments in Australia are held accountable through elections, parliamentary question time, independent bodies, courts/legal system, and media/public pressure.
• Separation of powers means different branches within government are responsible for different things.
• Australia achieves representative government through regular free/fair elections.
• Judges can't be elected as members of parliament to prevent abuse of power and ensure separation of powers.
• Governments are held accountable through parliamentary question time, where members can question policies/actions; dishonorable conduct requires resignation.
• The Westminster system involves a prime minister leading the country and parliament making laws; the prime minister is chosen from elected members.
• Bicameral refers to a system with two separate chambers in the legislature, like a Senate and a House of Representatives.
• Communism is where the government controls the economy to create a classless society with equal resource sharing.
• Capitalism is where private individuals/businesses own/control production/distribution; people can freely buy/sell, and wealth is distributed based on market competition.
• The governor general opens/closes parliament sessions and acts as a national symbol of unity and continuity.
• In a democracy, citizens can directly participate in initiatives/referendums.
• In a democracy, citizens can elect representatives to make decisions in parliament.
• In a democracy, citizens are actively involved in political processes through community organizing, local councils, and online platforms.
• The Westminster parliamentary system includes the upper house, the lower house, and the reigning English monarch.
• The House of Representatives has 150 members.
• House of Representative members are elected every 3 years at federal elections.
• The Senate has 76 members.
• Senators are elected for 6 year terms.
• When both houses accept a bill, the governor-general signs it into law.
• The House of Representatives discusses, debates, and scrutinizes proposals for creating/changing commonwealth laws.
• The Senate represents the interests of the states and prevents discriminatory laws; new law proposals require majority agreement in both houses.
• A unicameral system has a single legislative chamber or house, applicable in Australia in some state legislatures.
• Government must protect individual rights/freedoms.
• Government must make laws that reflect the views/values of the people.
• Government must be accountable to the people.
• There must be separation of powers.
• The senate has 76 members, with 12 being elected from each of the six states and two each from the mainland territories.
• A senate is a house of parliament.
• A constitutional monarch has limited power through a constitution that sets up rules and powers for the government.
• Thailand’s government includes a constitutional monarch, a senate, and a house of representatives; its citizens must be 18 to vote and have a constitution.
• In the Philippines, journalists critical of the government can face criminal charges.
• The Philippines has poorly regulated election spending and disinformation campaigns.
• Accountable governments in the Philippines include elected officials and legislative representatives determining state policies.
• A federal system divides a nation into states and territories, each responsible for making specific laws.
• Liberal democracy emphasizes individual freedoms and rights.
• Liberal democracy includes free/fair elections, equal application of laws, freedom of speech/religion/assembly, separation of powers, and recognition of diverse opinions.
• Media relies on people to make decisions on which political party or independent candidate to vote for, so it is importnat it is impartial and unbiased.
• Political parties represent citizen interests, formulate policies, contest elections, and hold government accountable through opposition.
• The High Court of Australia ensures laws align with the constitution, questions the legality of government actions, and settles legal disputes.
• Donations from wealthy individuals and businesses to political parties can threaten democracy.
• Organized crime threatens national security and the safety of citizens.
• Organized crime refers to criminal groups/networks undertaking carefully planned activities like trafficking illegal drugs/weapons, armed robbery, and cybercrime.
• Australia combats organized crime with state/federal police, the Australian Crime Commission, and Australian Customs/Border Protection Service.
• Corruption is the abuse of power for personal gain through bribery/fraud in organizations including political parties, trade unions, and private businesses.
• The executive arm administers legislation passed by parliament; executive power lies with the governor-general.
• The judicial arm makes legal judgements, settles disputes, and enforces the law.
• Vested interests could lead politicians to make decisions based on donations or favors, not the country's best interests.
• Human rights in a democratic society protect individual rights, ensure equality/dignity, provide a framework, and promote social stability.
• The rule of law in a democracy means individuals, including government officials, obey laws.
• The rule of law protects rights like freedom of speech and provides a framework for justice/accountability.
• Lawlessness comprises gangs acting violently with no regard for the law.
• Terrorism is the intentional use of violence to further political/religious goals, usually aimed at civilians to produce fear.
• Digitization of media and divisive platforms have increased misinformation risk, raising questions about political information reliability.
• Distrust and indifference of voters presents a difficult challenge to politicians.

Explore the essentials of Australia's political system. Questions cover the roles of Parliament, the Senate, and House of Representatives. Test your knowledge of legislative processes.