Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the primary function of the central parliament established in 1901?
What is the primary function of the central parliament established in 1901?
Queensland has both an upper house and a lower house in its parliament.
Queensland has both an upper house and a lower house in its parliament.
False
What date is recognized as Federation Day?
What date is recognized as Federation Day?
1st January 1901
The central parliament could make laws on _____ and trade.
The central parliament could make laws on _____ and trade.
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following is NOT a reason for the need for a central parliament?
Which of the following is NOT a reason for the need for a central parliament?
Signup and view all the answers
Match the following responsibilities with the appropriate governing body:
Match the following responsibilities with the appropriate governing body:
Signup and view all the answers
Before the central parliament was created, there was a uniform defense force among the colonies.
Before the central parliament was created, there was a uniform defense force among the colonies.
Signup and view all the answers
The CW constitution outlines the structure and _____ powers of the CW parliament.
The CW constitution outlines the structure and _____ powers of the CW parliament.
Signup and view all the answers
What is the term used to describe Australia's system of government aiming to protect individual rights and freedoms?
What is the term used to describe Australia's system of government aiming to protect individual rights and freedoms?
Signup and view all the answers
Australia's elections for parliament are held every 4 years.
Australia's elections for parliament are held every 4 years.
Signup and view all the answers
What must governments in Australia do to ensure their accountability?
What must governments in Australia do to ensure their accountability?
Signup and view all the answers
Governments must protect the rights and freedoms of __________.
Governments must protect the rights and freedoms of __________.
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following is NOT a principle upon which Australia's government operates?
Which of the following is NOT a principle upon which Australia's government operates?
Signup and view all the answers
Match the following terms with their definitions:
Match the following terms with their definitions:
Signup and view all the answers
Voting is compulsory for citizens over the age of 18 in Australia.
Voting is compulsory for citizens over the age of 18 in Australia.
Signup and view all the answers
What is one of the main functions of the Australian constitution?
What is one of the main functions of the Australian constitution?
Signup and view all the answers
Exclusive powers can be exercised by both the Commonwealth and state parliaments.
Exclusive powers can be exercised by both the Commonwealth and state parliaments.
Signup and view all the answers
What type of parliament is involved in Australia's federal system?
What type of parliament is involved in Australia's federal system?
Signup and view all the answers
What is one example of a concurrent power?
What is one example of a concurrent power?
Signup and view all the answers
The powers not stated in the Australian constitution belong to the state parliament and are referred to as ___________.
The powers not stated in the Australian constitution belong to the state parliament and are referred to as ___________.
Signup and view all the answers
Match the following law-making powers with their descriptions:
Match the following law-making powers with their descriptions:
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following is not a power listed in section 51 of the constitution?
Which of the following is not a power listed in section 51 of the constitution?
Signup and view all the answers
The High Court of Australia was established to resolve disputes regarding the Commonwealth's meaning.
The High Court of Australia was established to resolve disputes regarding the Commonwealth's meaning.
Signup and view all the answers
What two principles form the foundation of the Australian parliamentary system?
What two principles form the foundation of the Australian parliamentary system?
Signup and view all the answers
Who holds the power to make laws in Indonesia?
Who holds the power to make laws in Indonesia?
Signup and view all the answers
In Australia, the Liberal Party and the Australian Labor Party are the only political parties.
In Australia, the Liberal Party and the Australian Labor Party are the only political parties.
Signup and view all the answers
What is the role of the president in Indonesia's government?
What is the role of the president in Indonesia's government?
Signup and view all the answers
In Indonesia, various large and small political parties compete in parliamentary elections every _____ years.
In Indonesia, various large and small political parties compete in parliamentary elections every _____ years.
Signup and view all the answers
Match the political parties with their leaders in the 2014 Indonesian elections:
Match the political parties with their leaders in the 2014 Indonesian elections:
Signup and view all the answers
What was established by the British that forms the basis of Australia's current system of government?
What was established by the British that forms the basis of Australia's current system of government?
Signup and view all the answers
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders had no established rights before the British arrived in Australia.
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders had no established rights before the British arrived in Australia.
Signup and view all the answers
What significant change occurs in the composition of Indonesia's People's Consultative Assembly?
What significant change occurs in the composition of Indonesia's People's Consultative Assembly?
Signup and view all the answers
What happens if there is a conflict between Commonwealth and state laws in concurrent areas of power?
What happens if there is a conflict between Commonwealth and state laws in concurrent areas of power?
Signup and view all the answers
The Australian Constitution can be changed easily by the federal government without public approval.
The Australian Constitution can be changed easily by the federal government without public approval.
Signup and view all the answers
What is required for a proposed change to the Australian Constitution to be put to a public vote?
What is required for a proposed change to the Australian Constitution to be put to a public vote?
Signup and view all the answers
A change to the Constitution must receive _____ assent from the governor-general after being approved by a double majority.
A change to the Constitution must receive _____ assent from the governor-general after being approved by a double majority.
Signup and view all the answers
Match the following terms with their definitions:
Match the following terms with their definitions:
Signup and view all the answers
What is the minimum time frame for a proposed change to be voted on after its approval by Parliament?
What is the minimum time frame for a proposed change to be voted on after its approval by Parliament?
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
Principles of Australia's System of Government
- Australia operates under a federal system with one Commonwealth Parliament, six state parliaments, and two mainland territory parliaments.
- Core principles include:
- Protection of individual rights and freedoms.
- Laws reflecting the views and values of the populace.
- Government accountability to citizens.
- Separation of powers among branches of government.
Liberal Democracy
- Australia's government is classified as a liberal democracy, emphasizing the safeguarding of individual rights.
- Limits on government control are crucial to prevent excessive regulation of people's behavior.
- Key rights protected include freedom of speech, assembly, and expression; while also regulating offensive public conduct.
Representative Government
- Achieved through regular free and fair elections allowing citizens to select representatives.
- Elections occur every three years for federal and four years for state parliaments.
- Voting is compulsory for citizens aged 18 and over, with penalties for non-compliance.
Indonesian Government Comparison
- In Indonesia, the law-making power resides within national, provincial, and district parliaments, elected every five years.
- The president administers law and the judiciary interprets it.
- Political landscape differs: Australia has major parties, while Indonesia has a diverse array.
Historical Context of Australia's Government
- The British established a legal framework and system, enabling colonies to create their own laws under the Westminster system.
- Lack of a central parliament led to inter-colony trade constraints and independent militias, prompting the need for a unified system.
Formation of Commonwealth Government
- In 1901, the six colonies united under a federal system, creating a central Commonwealth Parliament.
- Confederation allowed central control over defense, currency, and immigration, while colonies managed local affairs like education and public transport.
Structure and Powers of Commonwealth Parliament
- Governed by a constitution that delineates the structure and legislative authority of the Parliament.
- The High Court resolves disputes regarding the interpretation of the Constitution and protects the essential rights of Australians.
Law-Making Powers
- The Constitution specifies powers of the Commonwealth Parliament, listed primarily in Section 51, including:
- Marriage and divorce
- Currency and taxation
- Trade, commerce, and defense
- Powers not specified are retained by state parliaments, referred to as residual powers.
Types of Legislative Powers
- Exclusive Powers: Only the Commonwealth can legislate in these areas (e.g., currency).
- Concurrent Powers: Shared powers allowing both Commonwealth and state governments to legislate (e.g., taxation); Commonwealth law prevails in case of conflict.
Amendments to the Constitution
- Amendments require public approval via a referendum to mitigate federal power misuse.
- The process involves drafting a proposal, securing a majority in Parliament, and then a compulsory public vote requiring a double majority of national and state voters.
Double Majority Requirement
- Amendments must receive majority support from Australian voters, including those in the territories, and majority support from voters in at least four of the six states.
- Approved amendments must receive royal assent from the Governor-General to take effect.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Related Documents
Description
Explore the foundational principles underlying Australia's system of government, including its federal structure and commitment to individual rights. This quiz covers key concepts such as liberal democracy, representative government, and the separation of powers. Test your knowledge of how these elements uphold democracy in Australia.