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Questions and Answers
Which government handles matters that affect the whole country?
Which government handles matters that affect the whole country?
Who represents the British monarchy as the head of state in Australia?
Who represents the British monarchy as the head of state in Australia?
What is the main responsibility of the State government?
What is the main responsibility of the State government?
How many Local Government Areas (LGA's) are there in Australia?
How many Local Government Areas (LGA's) are there in Australia?
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What is the primary source of income for Local Governments?
What is the primary source of income for Local Governments?
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What is the highest ranking court in NSW?
What is the highest ranking court in NSW?
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Who presides over the Local Court?
Who presides over the Local Court?
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What is the role of the Cabinet in the Federal Government?
What is the role of the Cabinet in the Federal Government?
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What is the maximum period of imprisonment a magistrate can impose per offence?
What is the maximum period of imprisonment a magistrate can impose per offence?
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What type of cases does the District Court deal with in civil matters?
What type of cases does the District Court deal with in civil matters?
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What is the role of a magistrate in committal hearings?
What is the role of a magistrate in committal hearings?
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Which court deals with appeals from state or territory Supreme Courts?
Which court deals with appeals from state or territory Supreme Courts?
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What is the primary responsibility of the Federal Court?
What is the primary responsibility of the Federal Court?
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How many judges make up the High Court of Australia?
How many judges make up the High Court of Australia?
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What type of cases does the Coroner's Court deal with?
What type of cases does the Coroner's Court deal with?
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Which court is the most senior court in Australia?
Which court is the most senior court in Australia?
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Study Notes
Structure of Government in Australia
- Australia has three main governments: Federal, State, and Local
- Federal Government handles whole country's affairs, State Government handles individual state's affairs, and Local Government handles local issues
Federal Government
- Decides on matters that affect the whole country, such as:
- Immigration
- Foreign affairs
- Economic management
- Industrial relations
- Defence
- Education
- The prime minister is the political leader of the federal government
- The Governor-General represents the British monarchy as head of state
- Senior members of the Cabinet make the most important decisions
State Government
- Controls matters that affect citizens within their individual state, such as:
- Public housing
- Conservation
- Public roads and railways
- Health
- Education
- Law and order
- Public transport
- The head of the state government is the Premier, and the head of the state is the Governor
- All state governments, except QLD, have two houses of parliament: Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council
Local Government
- Around 550 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Australia
- The head of a LGA is called a mayor
- Operate under state government legislation and can only make rules (by-laws) on local issues
- Income comes from land rates
- Responsibilities include:
- Recreational facilities
- Local roads
- Libraries
- Recycling
- Child care
NSW Courts Ranking
Inferior Court: Local Court
- Presided over by a magistrate
- Deals with:
- Less serious criminal offences (summary offences)
- Civil cases involving damages up to $100,000
- Can imprison an offender for up to two years per offence, maximum of five years
- Hears bail applications, search and arrest warrants, and AVOs
Intermediate Court: District Court
- Presided over by a judge
- Deals with:
- More serious criminal offences (indictable offences)
- Civil cases involving damages up to $750,000
- Motor vehicle accidents
- A jury of 12 people is used to reach a verdict
Superior Court: Supreme Court
- Most senior court
- Deals with:
- Most serious civil and criminal cases (e.g. treason, murder, serious sexual assault)
- Can impose a wide range of sentences
- Presided over by the Chief Justice
Federal Courts
- Handle matters involving federal law, including:
- Family law
- Taxation
- Immigration
- Copyright
- Companies
High Court
- Deals with:
- Appeals from state or territory Supreme Courts
- Cases concerning interpretations of the constitution
- Can create laws or out rule laws
- Final verdicts can affect the entire country
- Made up of seven judges: the Chief Justice and six Justices
Special Courts
Children's Court
- Deals with criminal cases concerning children and young people who committed offences under the age of 18
Coroner's Court
- Deals with cases of deaths by unnatural causes, figuring out dates, time, information, etc.
Family Court
- Deals with family law matters
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Description
This quiz covers the structure and roles of the Australian government, including the federal, state, and local governments. It also touches on the responsibilities of the federal government.
