Australian Government System Overview
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Questions and Answers

What is the primary role of representatives in a representative democracy?

  • To rule without accountability to citizens
  • To act solely for their political party
  • To vote on behalf of the citizens (correct)
  • To ignore the citizens' opinions

    • In a liberal democracy, sovereignty is vested in the politician's party rather than the citizens.

    False

    What is the formal approval by the governor-general or governor for a bill to become law called?

    Royal assent

    The ______ is the leader of the political party that forms the government.

    <p>Prime minister</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following terms with their definitions:

    <p>Absolute majority = Winning over half the votes Independent = Member not associated with any political party Coalition = Two or more parties joining to form government Political party = Group with similar governance views</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the function of the House of Representatives in Australia?

    <p>To draft laws</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Diversity in a political context refers only to racial background.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What term describes the geographical areas containing a specified number of voters?

    <p>Electoral divisions</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following describes discrimination?

    <p>Treating people unfavorably due to personal characteristics</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The term 'statute' refers to unwritten laws based on legal precedents.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the principle of fairness in legal processes?

    <p>Having fair processes and a fair hearing for all parties involved.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    A ________ case involves the government prosecuting an individual accused of committing an illegal act.

    <p>criminal</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the legal terms with their definitions:

    <p>Civil Case = A legal dispute between individuals over rights Appellate Jurisdiction = Power to hear a case on appeal Aggravating Factor = Details that increase culpability Mitigating Factor = Details that reduce sentence severity</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the difference between original jurisdiction and appellate jurisdiction?

    <p>Original jurisdiction is the first hearing, while appellate is for cases on appeal.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Equality means that individuals have different legal rights based on their characteristics.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is an aggravating factor in a criminal case?

    <p>Details about the offence that increase culpability and the sentence.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is a feature of a constitutional monarchy?

    <p>A parliament makes laws under a constitution</p> Signup and view all the answers

    An absolute majority requires a candidate to win exactly half of the votes cast.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the role of the opposition in a parliamentary system?

    <p>To scrutinize and oppose government policies.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Members of political parties who are nominated to run for office in an election are called ______.

    <p>candidates</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following terms with their definitions:

    <p>Electoral divisions = Geographical areas for voting Coalition = Alliances of political parties Senate = Upper house of parliament House of Representatives = Lower house of parliament</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What defines the structure of government in Australia?

    <p>Australian Constitution</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Diversity refers only to differences in racial backgrounds.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who is the leader of the political party that forms the government?

    <p>Prime minister</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the definition of discrimination?

    <p>Treating a person unfavorably because of their personal characteristics.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    A civil case involves the government prosecuting an individual for committing a crime.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the difference between original jurisdiction and appellate jurisdiction?

    <p>Original jurisdiction is the power to hear a case for the first time, while appellate jurisdiction is the power to hear a case on appeal.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The _____ principle states that individuals should have equal opportunity before the law.

    <p>equality</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the term 'statute' refer to?

    <p>Laws made by parliament.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following terms with their descriptions:

    <p>Aggravating Factor = Details that increase severity of a sentence Mitigating Factor = Details that reduce the severity of a sentence Criminal Case = Prosecution by the government of an individual accused of a crime Civil Case = Legal dispute between individuals over rights</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Fairness in legal processes ensures all parties have the opportunity to present their side.

    <p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

    A _____ case involves a legal dispute concerning rights among individuals or groups.

    <p>civil</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Define Precedent.

    <p>A precedent is a legal principle or rule established in a previous case that is binding or persuasive in subsequent cases with similar issues or facts.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Define the Australian Constitution.

    <p>The Australian Constitution is the legal document that establishes the framework of the Australian government and outlines the powers and responsibilities of its institutions.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Define Common Law.

    <p>Common law is a body of unwritten laws based on legal precedents established by the courts.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a representative democracy?

    <p>A system of government in which citizens elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the definition of a liberal democracy?

    <p>A liberal democracy is a representative democracy with rule of law, protection for individual liberties and rights, and limitations on the power of the elected representatives.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What's the difference between democracy and liberal democracy?

    <p>A representative democracy is an indirect democracy where sovereignty is held by the people's representatives. A liberal democracy is a representative democracy with rule of law, protection for individual liberties and rights, and limitations on the power of the elected representatives.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following Australian courts with their appropriate level in the pyramid court hierarchy:

    <p>High Court of Appeal = Top level court Supreme Court = State-level court District Court = Intermediate level court Magistrates' Court = Lowest level court/ Local</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the difference between right-leaning and left-leaning politics, and can you provide examples?

    <p>Right-leaning politics generally emphasize free markets, individual liberties, and limited government intervention, with examples including the Liberal Party of Australia. Left-leaning politics typically advocate for social equality, government involvement in the economy, and welfare programs, with examples including the Australian Labor Party.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Principle of fairness Equality and Access in the Australian Legal system

    <p>Fairness:</p> <p>Impartiality: Judges and juries must be impartial and unbiased. They should not be influenced by personal opinions or prejudices. Equality:</p> <p>Equal Treatment: All people should be treated equally before the law, regardless of their race, gender, religion, or socioeconomic status. Access:</p> <p>Legal Aid: Legal aid services are available to help people who cannot afford to pay for legal representation.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    standards of proof

    <p>Beyond Reasonable doubt and Balance of Probabilities</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Representative Democracy

    • A system where citizens vote for representatives who make decisions on their behalf.
    • Elections are the process by which citizens choose representatives.
    • Candidates are nominated by political parties to run for office.

    Parliamentary System

    • Parliament makes laws for the country.
    • The parliament typically includes a lower house for drafting laws and an upper house for reviewing them.
    • The monarch's representative (e.g., Governor-General in Australia) also plays a role in the parliamentary system.

    Liberal Democracy

    • Power is vested in the citizens.

    Constitutional Monarchy

    • A monarch (king or queen) is the head of state, but laws are made by a parliament under a constitution.

    Royal Assent

    • The bill needs to be formally signed and approved by the Governor-General (at the Commonwealth level) or Governor (at State level) for a bill to become law.

    Australian Constitution

    • Defines the rules and structure of government in Australia.
    • Outlines the rights of citizens.

    House of Representatives

    • The lower house of the national (federal) parliament.

    Senate

    • The upper house of the national (federal) parliament.

    Electoral Divisions

    • Geographical areas with set numbers of voters who can participate in elections.

    Political Parties

    • Groups with similar views and ideas about how a country, state, or territory should be governed.

    Coalition

    • Two or more political parties working together to win elections and form government.

    Absolute Majority

    • A candidate or party needs more than half the votes to win an electoral division or form the government.

    Prime Minister

    • Leader of the political party that forms the government.

    Opposition

    • The second largest political party or coalition that works to scrutinize and oppose government policies.

    Independent

    • A member of parliament not affiliated with a political party.

    Preferential System of Voting

    • A system that counts ballot papers multiple times to determine who has an absolute majority of votes.

    Diversity

    • A range of individuals with different racial, cultural, religious, and socioeconomic backgrounds, lifestyles, and life experiences.

    Discrimination

    • Unfavorable treatment of individuals or groups based on characteristics like gender, age, race, disability, physical appearance, or political beliefs.

    Law

    • Formal rules governing how people behave to maintain peace and unity in society.

    Statute

    • Laws made by parliament (also called legislation or Acts of Parliament).

    Common Law

    • Unwritten laws based on legal precedents established by courts.

    Civil Case

    • A legal dispute between individuals or groups over an alleged breach of individual rights.

    Criminal Case

    • A legal dispute where an individual is accused of committing an illegal act that harms another person and/or society. The government prosecutes the case.

    Original Jurisdiction

    • The power of a court to hear a case for the first time.

    Appellate Jurisdiction

    • The power of a court to hear appeals on cases already decided.

    Aggravating Factor

    • Details about the offense and the offender that increase their culpability and potential sentence. For example, premeditation or the use of a weapon.

    Mitigating Factor

    • Details about the offender and their offense that reduce the severity of their sentence. For example, remorse or previous good character.

    Fairness

    • The principle of having fair processes and hearings in legal cases. This means parties have an opportunity to know the facts of the case, present their side of events, and participate in a fair and impartial process.

    Equality

    • The principle of equal treatment before the law and equal opportunity to present a case, without advantage or disadvantage.

    Representative Democracy

    • A system where citizens choose representatives through elections
    • Representatives make laws on behalf of citizens
    • Examples: Australia, USA, UK

    Elections

    • Process for selecting representatives
    • Voters choose candidates from political parties
    • Majority vote determines the winner

    Parliament

    • The body that makes laws
    • Often has two houses:
      • Lower house (House of Representatives in Australia) drafts laws
      • Upper house (Senate in Australia) reviews laws before they are enacted
    • The monarch's representative (Governor-General or Governor) gives Royal Assent for a bill to become law

    Australian Constitution

    • The document that sets out the rules for governing Australia
    • Describes the structure of government and citizens' rights

    Political Parties

    • Groups with similar views on governing a country
    • Examples: Labor, Liberal, Greens
    • Coalitions form when two or more parties join to win an election and form government

    Voting System

    • Preferential voting allows multiple counts of ballots to determine an absolute majority
    • A candidate needs more than half the votes to win
    • This system is used in Australian elections

    Prime Minister

    • Leader of the political party that forms the government in the lower house

    Opposition

    • Second largest political party in the lower house
    • Critiques and holds the government to account

    Independent

    • A member of Parliament not affiliated with a political party

    Diversity

    • Describes a society with people from different backgrounds, cultures, and lifestyles

    Discrimination

    • Treating someone unfavorably based on personal characteristics (gender, race, disability, etc.)

    Rule of Law

    • Everyone is subject to the same laws and rules
    • This ensures fairness and peace in society

    Law

    • A formal rule guiding people's behavior
    • Promotes order and social harmony

    Statute Law

    • Laws created by Parliament called "Acts of Parliament" or "Legislation"
    • Examples: Criminal Code Act

    Common Law

    • Unwritten laws based on court decisions and precedents
    • Judges make decisions by referring to previous similar cases

    Civil Case

    • A legal dispute between individuals or groups
    • Involves alleged breaches of individual rights
    • Examples: Contract disputes, property disputes

    Criminal Case

    • A dispute where an individual is accused of committing an illegal act against another person or society
    • The government prosecutes the accused
    • Examples: Theft, Assault, Murder

    Jurisdiction

    • The power of a court to hear a case
    • Original jurisdiction: The power to hear a case for the first time
    • Appellate jurisdiction: The power to review a case on appeal

    Aggravating Factors

    • Details that increase the severity of an offense and potential sentence
    • Examples: Planning the crime in advance, use of a weapon

    Mitigating Factors

    • Details that reduce the severity of an offense and potential sentence
    • Examples: Remorse, previous good character

    Fairness

    • Having fair processes and impartial legal hearings
    • Ensures each party has a chance to present their case and be heard

    Equality

    • The principle that all people are equal before the law
    • Everyone should have equal opportunities and be treated fairly, regardless of their background or circumstance

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    Description

    This quiz covers key concepts of representative democracy, parliamentary systems, and liberal democracy. You'll explore the role of the constitution, the monarchy, and the process of royal assent in Australia's governance. Test your understanding of how citizens influence political decisions and the structure of the Australian government.

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