Civics & Citizenship: Australia Flashcards
(31 cards)
Parliamentary Government:
A government formed from the elected members of parliament
Bicameral Parliament:
Two Houses or Chambers
Makeup of the Parliament of Australia:
Queen/Governor General + Senate + House of Representatives
Australian Constitution 3 branches/powers:
Legislative, Executive and Judicial
Legislative Power:
Parliament (The Ministry): House of Representatives & the Senate
Executive Power:
Governor-General
Judicial Power
High Court & other Federal Courts - Interpret the Constitution
House of representatives:
- Lower House/People’s House - 150 seats
- The government on the left, opposition on the right, independents/minor parties in the middle.
- Elected every four years
Role of the House of Representatives:
- Form government
- Decide matters of national interest
- Represent the interests of people in the electorate
- Prepare debate & vote on bills and amendments
The Senate:
- Upper House/State’s House - 76 seats
- Same format as the lower house, with the master of the black rod and ‘president’ instead of the speaker.
- Elected every 6 years
Role of the senate:
- Decides matters of national interest.
- Represent the interests of people in their states or territories.
- Propose, debate & vote on bills and amendments
State & Territory Governments:
6 state, two territory.
Victorian Lower House:
- Legislative Assembly - 88 members
- Elected every 4 years
- Each member represents a district (electorate)
- Majority forms government
- Initiates & makes laws
Victorian Upper House:
- Approx 40 members.
- Elected every 4 years
- Represent regions of Victoria
- 8 regions, 5 reps per region
- House of review
- Scrutinises legislation/checks government
Federal Responsibilities & Services:
Defence, trade, immigration, marriage, tax, foreign affairs, communication, environment.
State responsibilities & services:
Roads, education, police, health,electricity, water, agriculture, public transport, tourism.
Local responsibilities & services:
Local roads, parks, rubbish, libraries, street signs, pets, building regulations.
Role of the Governor-General:
- Formally sign a bill that has been passed (royal assent)
- Swears in PM & ministers
- Ceremonial role
- Formal position but without great power
Prime Minister:
- Leader of the government
- Elected by his/ her political party
- Resides in the House of Representatives
- Responsible to their ministers and electorate
The Opposition:
- Political party or coalition with the second highest number of seats.
- Question & challenge the government on all political matters.
Opposition Leader:
- The most senior shadow minister
- Key spokesperson for the opposition
- Head of the shadow cabinet
- Leader of the largest non-government party
Path of a bill:
Bill: Proposed law > 1st Reading: Introduced > 2nd Reading: Debated > 3rd Reading: Agreed/Voted on → 1st Reading in the Senate > 2nd Reading > 3rd Reading → Royal Assent: Bill approved → Act ofParliament: Becomes a law
Minister:
An elected member of parliament representing the government who has responsibility for a special area (‘portfolio’)
Treasurer:
Minister responsible for controlling the government’s finances.
