civics and citizenship Flashcards
(28 cards)
when did the Europeans come to Australia and claim it as their own?
January 26 1788
what is a constitutional monarchy?
it is when a monarch has most authority over a constitution but the constitution decides what they can and cant do
how long had the first nation Australians been in Australia before the invasion of the Europeans?
65,000 years
What are the Australian Values?
Australian values based on freedom, respect, fairness and equality of opportunity
What is the Australian Identity?
The true Australian identity is a reflection of all that is good in everyone
what are the three levels of government?
Federal, State, local
what is the federal government responsible for?
country wide issues like foreign affairs, trade and currency
what is the local government responsible for?
local issues such as taxation, rubbish collection and community housing
what is the state government responsible for?
public transport, community services, sports and recreation, police, prisons
What kind of government is Australia?
Constitutional monarchy
Definition of constitution
A constitution is a set of rules that guides how a country, state, or other political organization is run.
Why do we have a constitution?
to establish the rules of Australia
What are the steps required to change the constitution?
The Australian Constitution can only be altered by referendum. In a referendum, all Australians of voting age vote yes or no for the proposed changes. To succeed, a majority of voters nationwide and a majority of States (four out of six) must approve the changes.
What are the 3 branches of the constitution/ what are they responsible for?
Legislature. The power to make laws.
Executive. The power to enforce laws.
Judiciary. The power to interpret and apply laws.
definition of separation of powers
Separation of powers, therefore, refers to the division of government responsibilities into distinct branches to limit any one branch from exercising the core functions of another. The intent is to prevent the concentration of power and provide for checks and balances.
what are the two main parliament houses?
The house of representatives and the senate
How many members in the senate?
currently 76 members
The house of reps each represent an electorate.
Members of the House of Representatives each represent a portion of their state known as a Congressional District, which averages 700,000 people.
Who are some important figures in parliament?
The prime minister, the deputy prime minister, president of the senate, speaker of the house of reps,
How have Indigenous Australians been treated throughout history?
very poorly. not being labelled as Australians, considered flora and fauna, children taken into white families, used as slaves, ect.
what is a Prime Minister?
leader of the whole of Australia
what is democracy?
a system of government by the whole population or all the eligible members of a state, typically through elected representatives.
what is a separation of powers?
Separation of powers is a doctrine of constitutional law under which the three branches of government (executive, legislative, and judicial) are kept separate.
what is a bicameral system?
a system of government in which the legislature consists of two houses.
