Case studies Flashcards
(29 cards)
Individual Ministerial Responsibility Upheld
In 2019, as part of the governments $100 million grant for the Community Sport Infrastructure Program, sports minister Bridget Mckenzie was reported as having a conflict of interest because of her $36,000 grant towards the Wangaratta Gun Club which she was a member of at the time. She resigned due to a breach of individual ministerial responsibility.
Individual Ministerial Responsibility not upheld
In July 2018, the Department of Infrastructure purchased a mass of land in NSW called the ‘Leppington triangle’ for $29.8 million dollars, despite the land only being valued at $3 million. Paul Fletcher was the Minister for Urban Infrastructure and this overpayment was described as ‘unethical’ by the ANOA.
Collective Ministerial Responsibility undermined
In 2015, Barnaby Joyce publicly denounced his own government’s decision to fund the Shenua Watermark coal mine in his NSW electorate of New England after $1.2 billion was granted towards the project.
Separation of powers/judicial independence upheld
For example, in 2017 the High Court ruled that Barnaby Joyce had been ineligible to be a candidate for the seat of New England in the the House of Representatives at the time of the 2016 election because he was a dual citizen of New Zealand, breaching s. 44 of the constitution.
or love and thoms
Separation of powers/judicial independence not upheld
The Allegiance to Australia bill of 2015 allows the Minister for Home Affairs to remove citizenship from dual nationals found to engage in terrorism, for example in 2018, Neil Prakash was stripped of Australian citizenship after being found to be an Islamic terrorist
Federalism upheld
During 2020, the National cabinet, consisting of the Prime Minister, chief ministers and premiers met regularly via telepresence to discuss coordinated responses to COVID-19 policies.
Federalism not upheld
In 2020, the Australian government wanted all schools to open up, despite this, Victorias schools remained closed, prompting minister for education Dan Tehan to claim Dan Andrews had bought a ‘sledgehammer’ to Victorian education.
The ACT was the first state to allow cultivation, consumption and possession of cannabis, however it is still a federal offence so citizens of the ACT can be persecuted.
The constitution: express rights being undermined
A five-generation family of farmers say they have been short-changed out of millions of dollars after their property was acquired by the government. After being forced out of their home for the development of a military base, the family said they were offered less than half the cost of what it would cost to replace.
Example of candidate in HOR being selected
Scott Morrison with 69% of preference votes for Cook
Example of bill passed through house and senate
The Australian immunisation register bill 2020
Weakness of proportional representation
In 2016, the Building and Construction commission bill was rejected by the Senate twice, leading to a double dissolution
In 2019, Liberal candidate for NSW Jim Molan urged his supporters to vote for him below the line, a move branded ‘dishonourable’ by fellow party members. Despite polling a record 137,000 first preference votes, Molan was not elected.
Example of proportional voting winner
Raf Ciccone won on first preference for Victoria achieving over double the required quota of 530,000
Accountability via preferential
Zali Staggall beat Tony Abbott for the safe liberal seat of Warringah in the 2019 Federal election after a 12% decline in Abbotts first preference votes, this can be attributed to Tony Abbott’s opposition on climate change
Question time
Tanya Plibersek asked Scomo, ‘Why wont the Prime Minister establish an independent inquiry into the sexual assault allegations against his Attorney General.’
Political donations
Zali Staggall raised 1.1 million in donations from 1378 donations to her campaign.
Leadership spill
In 2018, Scott Morrison beat Peter Dutton in a leadership spill 45 to 40
Political donations accountability weakness
In the 2016 election, political parties received $293 million, 40% of donations which were undisclosed.
Political equality undermined
A senate vote in Tasmania (533,000 population) is worth 15 times as much as vote in NSW (8 mill),
Party discipline upheld
The $158 billion tax cuts in 2019 passed through parliament
Party discipline not upheld
In 2018 on the Nationals Energy Guarantee (NEG), a group of backbenchers threatened to cross the floor, including Abbott who described it as a ‘crock’.
Conscience votes
2017 Parliament on the same sex marriage
Party whip, backbencher and crossbencher
Damian Drum (Nats) Bert Van Manen (Lib), Ted Obrien (liberal for fairfax) cross-bencher (Adam Badnt and Jacqui Lambie)
Committee effectiveness not upheld
COVID-19 committee called Josh Frydenberg to explain the JobKeeper blunder, which incorrectly forecasted $130 billion, rather than $70 billion for the wage subsidy scheme, the government dismissed the call as a political stunt as Senate committees cannot compel ministers from the lower house to appear before them.
Committee effectiveness upheld
The PJCIS inquired into the Allegiance to Australia bill and were effective in amending it so that the bill did not apply to children under the age of 14.
