Ch 3

Question 1

Westminster System

Answer 1

A system of government based on the British system where the executive is drawn from the legislature, holding them responsible between elections and forming a legislative-executive fusion

Question 2

Federalism

Answer 2

A system of government in which sovereignty is divided geographically between a central (Commonwealth) government and two or more local (State) governments. First implemented in the US

Question 3

Coercive Federalism

Answer 3

A system of federalism where the central government has more power than the local governments

Question 4

Co-operative Federalism

Answer 4

A system of federalism where the central and local governments have equal power

Question 5

Confederate Federalism

Answer 5

A system of federalism where the local governments have more power than the central government

Question 6

Constitutional Monarchy

Answer 6

A form of government where the head of state is an inherited position and their powers are limited through a written constitution or unwritten conventions

Question 7

Bicameral Parliament

Answer 7

A legislature made up of two houses (Senate and House of Representatives in Australia)

Question 8

Responsible Parliamentary Government

Answer 8

The convention governing the formation of government in a Westminster system where the executive is drawn from and responsible to the legislature

Question 9

Westminster Conventions

Answer 9

Unwritten rules which govern the practice of government in Westminster systems (such as the convention that government is formed from the party with a majority of seats in the House of Representatives)

Question 10

Governor-General

Answer 10

The representative of the British monarch in Australia. Acts as head of state and Commander-in-Chief

Question 11

Commonwealth Government

Answer 11

The central government of Australia. Their powers are defined in s51 of the Australian Constitution

Question 12

State Government

Answer 12

The former British colonies which became states in 1901. They have power over all areas not specifically allocated to the Commonwealth in section 51. These are known as residual ‘powers’

Question 13

Federal Balance

Answer 13

The balance of power between the Commonwealth and State governments. Initially, the balance was equal between the two levels (co-operative), but as Australians gained trust in the Commonwealth government and the country became more interconnected it has shifted towards the Commonwealth (coercive)

Question 14

Referendum

Answer 14

The only way to change the Australian Constitution is to hold a public referendum requiring a ‘double majority’, that is, a majority of voters in a majority of the states. Borrowed from Switzerland.

Question 15

Washminster Hybrid

Answer 15

A fusion between the British Westminster system and the Federal system from the US. This system is employed in Australia and Canada

Question 16

Expansion of Commonwealth Powers

Answer 16

A process which has occurred throughout Australia's history to shift power from the states to the Commonwealth. This is done through:
Referendums
Referral of Powers
Commonwealth Financial Power
High Court Interpretations