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Questions and Answers
Who were the first inhabitants of Australia with the oldest continuous cultures and traditions in the world?
Who were the first inhabitants of Australia with the oldest continuous cultures and traditions in the world?
Australia's national language is English.
Australia's national language is English.
True
What event is commemorated on 25 April each year in Australia?
What event is commemorated on 25 April each year in Australia?
Anzac Day
___________ have a deep connection with the land, which is expressed in their stories, art, and dance.
___________ have a deep connection with the land, which is expressed in their stories, art, and dance.
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Match the state with its capital city:
Match the state with its capital city:
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Who is Australia's Head of State?
Who is Australia's Head of State?
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What is the role of the Governor-General in Australia?
What is the role of the Governor-General in Australia?
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Local governments in Australia are responsible for food and meat inspection.
Local governments in Australia are responsible for food and meat inspection.
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After the Australian Parliament approves a Bill, it goes to the ___ for final approval to become law.
After the Australian Parliament approves a Bill, it goes to the ___ for final approval to become law.
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Match the leader with the corresponding level of government:
Match the leader with the corresponding level of government:
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What are some privileges of being an Australian citizen? (Select all that apply)
What are some privileges of being an Australian citizen? (Select all that apply)
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Voting in federal and state or territory elections is compulsory for Australian citizens 18 years or older.
Voting in federal and state or territory elections is compulsory for Australian citizens 18 years or older.
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What is the responsibility of Australian citizens in relation to the Australian Defence Force?
What is the responsibility of Australian citizens in relation to the Australian Defence Force?
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What is the biggest annual public holiday in Australia?
What is the biggest annual public holiday in Australia?
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Which flags are officially recognized by Australia? (Select all that apply)
Which flags are officially recognized by Australia? (Select all that apply)
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Australian citizens aged 18 years or over must ___ in federal and state or territory elections.
Australian citizens aged 18 years or over must ___ in federal and state or territory elections.
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Match the privilege with the corresponding action:
Match the privilege with the corresponding action:
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The Australian National Flag contains the Union Jack and the Commonwealth Star with the Southern Cross.
The Australian National Flag contains the Union Jack and the Commonwealth Star with the Southern Cross.
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Australia's national flower is the golden ______.
Australia's national flower is the golden ______.
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Match the following: Australia's national emblems
Match the following: Australia's national emblems
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What is Australia's national gemstone?
What is Australia's national gemstone?
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What does 'Freedom of speech' mean in Australia?
What does 'Freedom of speech' mean in Australia?
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In Australia, who appoints judges and magistrates?
In Australia, who appoints judges and magistrates?
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In Australia, people are considered innocent until they are found guilty in a court.
In Australia, people are considered innocent until they are found guilty in a court.
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What is the role of a jury in a criminal trial in Australia?
What is the role of a jury in a criminal trial in Australia?
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It is a serious crime in Australia to bribe the police. It is even a crime to offer a bribe to a police __________.
It is a serious crime in Australia to bribe the police. It is even a crime to offer a bribe to a police __________.
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Match the following Australian values to their descriptions:
Match the following Australian values to their descriptions:
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Australia values the principles of mutual _____.
Australia values the principles of mutual _____.
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It is against the law to be violent towards another person.
It is against the law to be violent towards another person.
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What is the age of sexual consent in Australia?
What is the age of sexual consent in Australia?
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What is a key value that Australians hold regarding disagreement?
What is a key value that Australians hold regarding disagreement?
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Match the following values with their descriptions:
Match the following values with their descriptions:
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Study Notes
Australian Citizenship and Its People
- Australia's citizenship ceremony involves pledging loyalty to Australia and its people, requiring an understanding of Australia's community and population, including its Indigenous heritage.
- The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are Australia's first inhabitants, with the oldest continuous cultures and traditions in the world.
- Aboriginal people are from mainland Australia and Tasmania, with archaeological records indicating their arrival between 65,000 and 40,000 years ago.
- Torres Strait Islander people are from islands between the northern tip of Queensland and Papua New Guinea.
- Australian citizenship involves understanding the nation's history, including European settlement, the gold rush, and the growth of the population.
- The Commonwealth of Australia is a federation of states and territories, with six states and two mainland territories, each with its own capital city.
Australia's States and Territories
- The six states are:
- New South Wales (NSW), with Sydney as its capital city
- Victoria (Vic.), with Melbourne as its capital city
- Queensland (Qld), with Brisbane as its capital city
- Western Australia (WA), with Perth as its capital city
- South Australia (SA), with Adelaide as its capital city
- Tasmania (Tas.), with Hobart as its capital city
- The two mainland territories are:
- Australian Capital Territory (ACT), with Canberra as its capital city
- Northern Territory (NT), with Darwin as its capital city
Traditions
- Welcome to Country and Acknowledgement of Country protocols recognize Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples' connection to the land.
- Important days for Australians include:
- Australia Day, celebrated on January 26, marking the arrival of the First Fleet from Great Britain in 1788
- Anzac Day, commemorated on April 25, named after the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps
Australia's Symbols
- The Australian National Flag is blue, white, and red, featuring the Union Jack, the Commonwealth Star, and the Southern Cross.
- The Australian Aboriginal Flag is black, red, and yellow, representing the Aboriginal people, the earth, and the sun.
- The Torres Strait Islander Flag is green, blue, black, and white, representing the land, sea, people, and peace.
Democratic Beliefs, Rights, and Liberties
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Australia's system of government is a parliamentary democracy, where the power of the government comes from the Australian people.
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The Rule of Law ensures that all Australians are equal under the law, and no person or group is above the law.
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Living peacefully and respect for all individuals are fundamental principles of Australian democracy.
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Australians enjoy freedoms such as:
- Freedom of speech and expression
- Freedom to gather peacefully to protest or express opinions### Australian Values and Principles
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Freedom of speech is a core Australian value that underpins the country's democratic system.
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Freedom of speech allows people to express their opinions, criticize the government, and protest peacefully.
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Freedom of expression encompasses various forms of art, film, music, and literature.
Freedom of Association
- Australians have the right to form and join associations to pursue common goals.
- Examples of associations include political parties, trade unions, religious, cultural, or social groups.
- No one can be forced to join an association, and individuals are free to choose not to join.
Equalities
- Australia has laws ensuring equal treatment of people regardless of gender, race, disability, or age.
- Gender equality is a fundamental right, and discrimination based on gender is illegal.
- Australians value equal opportunity, and a 'fair go' means that achievements should be based on talent, work, and effort rather than wealth or background.
Responsibilities and Privileges of Australian Citizenship
- Responsibilities of Australian citizens include:
- Obeying the laws of Australia
- Voting in federal and state or territory elections, and in a referendum
- Defending Australia if necessary
- Serving on a jury if called to do so
- Privileges of Australian citizens include:
- Voting in federal and state or territory elections, and in a referendum
- Applying for children born overseas to become Australian citizens by descent
- Applying for a job in the Australian Public Service or in the Australian Defence Force
- Seeking election to parliament
- Applying for an Australian passport and re-entering Australia freely
- Asking for consular assistance from an Australian official while overseas
Government and the Law in Australia
- Australia's system of government is a parliamentary democracy.
- The Australian Constitution is the legal document that sets out the basic rules for the government of Australia.
- The Constitution established the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia, consisting of the House of Representatives and the Senate.
Separation of Powers
- The Australian Constitution divides the power of government between the legislative, executive, and judicial powers.
- Legislative power is the power to make laws, and is held by Parliament.
- Executive power is the power to put the laws into practice, and is held by the Prime Minister, government ministers, and the Governor-General.
- Judicial power is the power to interpret and apply the law, and is held by judges.
Head of State
- Australia's Head of State is the King of Australia, currently King Charles III.
- The King appoints the Governor-General as his representative in Australia, on the advice of the Australian Prime Minister.
The Role of the Governor-General
- The Governor-General is not part of the government and must remain neutral.
- The Governor-General's role includes:
- Signing all Bills passed by the Australian Parliament into law
- Performing ceremonial duties
- Approving the appointment of the Australian Government and its ministers, federal judges, and other officials
- Starting the process for a federal election
- Acting as Commander-in-Chief of the Australian Defence Force### Australian Government Structure
- The Australian Government is divided into three levels: Australian Government, state and territory governments, and local governments.
- Each level of government has different responsibilities and provides different services.
Australian Government Responsibilities
- The Australian Government is responsible for:
- Taxation
- National economic management
- Immigration and citizenship
- Employment assistance
- Postal services and the communications network
- Social security (pensions and family support)
- Defence
- Trade and commerce
- Airports and air safety
- Foreign affairs (relations with other countries)
State and Territory Governments Responsibilities
- State and territory governments are responsible for:
- Hospitals and health services
- Schools
- Roads and railways
- Forestry
- Police and ambulance services
- Public transport
Local Governments Responsibilities
- Local governments are responsible for:
- Street signs, traffic controls
- Local roads, footpaths, bridges
- Drains
- Parks, playgrounds, swimming pools, sports grounds
- Camping grounds and caravan parks
- Food and meat inspection
- Noise and animal control
- Rubbish collection
- Local libraries, halls, and community centers
- Certain child-care and aged-care issues
- Building permits
- Social planning
- Local environmental issues
Political Parties
- A political party is a group of people who share similar ideas about how a country should be governed.
- The main political parties in Australia are the Liberal Party of Australia, the Australian Labor Party, the Nationals, and the Australian Greens.
How the Australian Government is Formed
- After a federal election, the Australian Government is formed by the party or coalition of parties with the majority of members in the House of Representatives.
- The leader of this party becomes the Prime Minister.
- The party or coalition of parties with the second-largest number of members in the House of Representatives forms the Opposition.
Law Making Process
- The Australian Parliament has the power to make or change laws in Australia.
- A proposed new law or change to an existing law is called a 'Bill'.
- The House of Representatives and the Senate consider, debate, and vote on whether they agree with the Bill.
- If the majority of members in each House of Parliament agree to the Bill, it goes to the Governor-General.
- The Governor-General signs the Bill, making it a law.
Law Enforcement
- The courts are independent and decide if a person has broken the law and the penalty.
- The police maintain peace and order in the community and protect life and property.
- The police can arrest someone if they believe they have broken the law and bring them before a court of law.
- The police may give evidence in court, but the court decides if a person is guilty or not.
Australian Values
- Australian values are based on freedom, respect, fairness, and equality of opportunity.
- These values are central to the Australian community and are a reason why many people want to become Australian citizens.
- Australian citizenship is about living out these values in everyday life and in the local community.
Commitment to the Rule of Law
- All Australians are protected by the law and legal system.
- The Rule of Law means that all Australians are equal in relation to the law and no person or group is above the law.
- Everyone should obey the law and not break it at any time, otherwise, they will face penalties.
Freedom of Speech
- People in Australia should be able to express their ideas freely, as long as it is within the law.
- People are free to meet in public or private places for social or political discussion.
- People are free to say and write what they think about any topic and to discuss their ideas with others.
Freedom of Association
- People in Australia are free to join or leave any group voluntarily, as long as it is within the law.
- People are free to join any legal organization, such as a political party, trade union, religious, cultural, or social group.
Freedom of Religion
- Australia has no official national religion, and people in Australia are free to follow any religion they choose.
- The government treats all citizens equally, whatever their religion or beliefs.
- Religious practices must not break Australian laws.
- Religious laws have no legal status in Australia.
Equality of Opportunity
- Australian society values the equal rights of all people, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, race, or national or ethnic origin.
- There are laws in Australia that protect people from being treated differently because of their background.
- Everyone, regardless of their background, is given an equal opportunity to achieve success in life.
Mutual Respect and Tolerance
- In Australia, individuals must respect the freedom and dignity of others, and their opinions and choices.
- Violence of any kind, including verbal and physical abuse, is illegal.
- Australians believe in the principles of mutual respect and tolerance.
- This means listening to others and respecting their views and opinions, even when they are different from your own.
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Description
This quiz covers the Australian legal system, including the roles of judges and magistrates, and the functions of the Australian Federal Police.
