Principles of Australia's Government System

Questions and Answers

What is the primary function of the central parliament established in 1901?

Overseeing healthcare

Making laws regarding defense (correct)

Managing local public transport

Regulating education

Queensland has both an upper house and a lower house in its parliament.

False

What date is recognized as Federation Day?

1st January 1901

The central parliament could make laws on _____ and trade.

immigration Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a reason for the need for a central parliament?

Different laws regarding education Signup and view all the answers

Match the following responsibilities with the appropriate governing body:

Central Parliament = Postal Services Colonial Parliaments = Education Signup and view all the answers

Before the central parliament was created, there was a uniform defense force among the colonies.

False Signup and view all the answers

The CW constitution outlines the structure and _____ powers of the CW parliament.

lawmaking 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?

Liberal democracy Signup and view all the answers

Australia's elections for parliament are held every 4 years.

False Signup and view all the answers

What must governments in Australia do to ensure their accountability?

Governments must be accountable to the people. Signup and view all the answers

Governments must protect the rights and freedoms of __________.

individuals Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a principle upon which Australia's government operates?

Governments must impose restrictions on all freedoms Signup and view all the answers

Match the following terms with their definitions:

Liberal Democracy = A system that aims to protect individual rights and freedoms Representative Government = The principle of electing representatives to reflect people's views Separation of Powers = Division of responsibilities among different branches of government Compulsory Voting = Legal requirement for citizens to participate in elections Signup and view all the answers

Voting is compulsory for citizens over the age of 18 in Australia.

True Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the main functions of the Australian constitution?

To define the law-making powers of the Commonwealth parliament Signup and view all the answers

Exclusive powers can be exercised by both the Commonwealth and state parliaments.

False Signup and view all the answers

What type of parliament is involved in Australia's federal system?

Commonwealth parliament Signup and view all the answers

What is one example of a concurrent power?

Taxation Signup and view all the answers

The powers not stated in the Australian constitution belong to the state parliament and are referred to as ___________.

residual powers Signup and view all the answers

Match the following law-making powers with their descriptions:

Exclusive powers = Only the Commonwealth parliament can make laws here. Concurrent powers = Both Commonwealth and state parliaments can create laws in these areas. Residual powers = Powers not specifically listed in the constitution, belonging to state parliaments. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is not a power listed in section 51 of the constitution?

Education Signup and view all the answers

The High Court of Australia was established to resolve disputes regarding the Commonwealth's meaning.

True Signup and view all the answers

What two principles form the foundation of the Australian parliamentary system?

Representative government and responsible government Signup and view all the answers

Who holds the power to make laws in Indonesia?

The national, provincial, and district parliaments Signup and view all the answers

In Australia, the Liberal Party and the Australian Labor Party are the only political parties.

False Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the president in Indonesia's government?

The president administers or implements the law. Signup and view all the answers

In Indonesia, various large and small political parties compete in parliamentary elections every _____ years.

five Signup and view all the answers

Match the political parties with their leaders in the 2014 Indonesian elections:

Indonesia Democratic Party = Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono Functional Groups Party (Golkar) = Aburizal Bakrie Democratic Party (Demokrat) = Megawati Sukarnoputri Signup and view all the answers

What was established by the British that forms the basis of Australia's current system of government?

A democratic election system Signup and view all the answers

The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders had no established rights before the British arrived in Australia.

False Signup and view all the answers

What significant change occurs in the composition of Indonesia's People's Consultative Assembly?

The composition can significantly change with each election. Signup and view all the answers

What happens if there is a conflict between Commonwealth and state laws in concurrent areas of power?

The Commonwealth law will prevail Signup and view all the answers

The Australian Constitution can be changed easily by the federal government without public approval.

False Signup and view all the answers

What is required for a proposed change to the Australian Constitution to be put to a public vote?

Majority approval from both houses of Commonwealth Parliament 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.

royal Signup and view all the answers

Match the following terms with their definitions:

Double Majority = Approval by a majority of voters throughout Australia and in at least four states Referendum = Public vote on a proposed change to the Constitution Governor-General = The representative of the Crown in Australia Royal Assent = Final approval of a law or amendment by the governor-general 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?

Between 2 and 6 months 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.

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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.

Principles of Australia's Government System

Questions and Answers

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.

What date is recognized as Federation Day?

The central parliament could make laws on _____ and trade.

Which of the following is NOT a reason for the need for a central parliament?

Match the following responsibilities with the appropriate governing body:

Before the central parliament was created, there was a uniform defense force among the colonies.

The CW constitution outlines the structure and _____ powers of the CW parliament.

What is the term used to describe Australia's system of government aiming to protect individual rights and freedoms?

Australia's elections for parliament are held every 4 years.

What must governments in Australia do to ensure their accountability?

Governments must protect the rights and freedoms of __________.

Which of the following is NOT a principle upon which Australia's government operates?

Match the following terms with their definitions:

Voting is compulsory for citizens over the age of 18 in Australia.

What is one of the main functions of the Australian constitution?

Exclusive powers can be exercised by both the Commonwealth and state parliaments.

What type of parliament is involved in Australia's federal system?

What is one example of a concurrent power?

The powers not stated in the Australian constitution belong to the state parliament and are referred to as ___________.

Match the following law-making powers with their descriptions:

Which of the following is not a power listed in section 51 of the constitution?

The High Court of Australia was established to resolve disputes regarding the Commonwealth's meaning.

What two principles form the foundation of the Australian parliamentary system?

Who holds the power to make laws in Indonesia?

In Australia, the Liberal Party and the Australian Labor Party are the only political parties.

What is the role of the president in Indonesia's government?

In Indonesia, various large and small political parties compete in parliamentary elections every _____ years.

Match the political parties with their leaders in the 2014 Indonesian elections:

What was established by the British that forms the basis of Australia's current system of government?

The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders had no established rights before the British arrived in Australia.

What significant change occurs in the composition of Indonesia's People's Consultative Assembly?

What happens if there is a conflict between Commonwealth and state laws in concurrent areas of power?

The Australian Constitution can be changed easily by the federal government without public approval.

What is required for a proposed change to the Australian Constitution to be put to a public vote?

A change to the Constitution must receive _____ assent from the governor-general after being approved by a double majority.

Match the following terms with their definitions:

What is the minimum time frame for a proposed change to be voted on after its approval by Parliament?

Study Notes

Principles of Australia's System of Government

Liberal Democracy

Representative Government

Indonesian Government Comparison

Historical Context of Australia's Government

Formation of Commonwealth Government

Structure and Powers of Commonwealth Parliament

Law-Making Powers

Types of Legislative Powers

Amendments to the Constitution

Double Majority Requirement

Studying That Suits You

Description

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