Government Flashcards
(23 cards)
3 levels of government and their responsibilities
Federal - Immigration, economy, defence
State- health care, education, transport
Local - parking, rubbish collection, building permits
Concepts of a representative democracy
A representative democracy is a system of governing in many countries, such as Australia. It is where the citizens of that country vote upon people who represent their views, and those representatives make decisions on their behalf.
What is a democracy?
The way of governing which imbues the people’s choices. The people of the country vote upon their favourable political party to ,ale decisions on their behalf
What is a political party?
A political party is a group of people with similar political views and motives. Most of the time they form a group under a name, such as the labor party, and elect people to represent them in government.
The main political parties in Australia
Coalition - Liberal & the Nationals
Opposition - Labor
Other - the greens
Differences between the senate & House of Representatives
HoR ➡️ 150 seats/representatives , 76 has to be won to form government, it’s green in colour and debate and discuss upon new laws and regulations. Lower house.
Senate ➡️ 76 seats/senators, red in colour, get the final say in approving new laws. Upper house.
How many seats in the HoR VS The Senate?
HoR ➡️ 150
Senate ➡️ 76
What is an electorate
An electorate is a geographical area in Australia. The electorate represents one single member from each party of the parliament during the election. An example of an electorate would be the Dunkley electorate in Frankston South and Mt. Eliza.
Who can vote during the election?
➡️ Australian Citizen
➡️ 18 years or older
Excluding prisoners who are serving longer than 3 years.
How often are elections held?
At least once every three years, but generally four.
What is preferential voting
Preferential voting is a system of voting in order to decide a leader for a country. It allows the voter to order their choice from most favourable to least.
How is the winner decided? (For house or reps)
The winner of government must win 76 seats/be most voted for in 76 or more electorates.
What’s the voting process?
The voting process in Australia is compulsory. Unlike some countries such as America where they don’t have to.
What is single majority voting?
Single majority voting is the person who receives the highest number or votes wins. This can also be known as first past the post and is the system countries such as the USA use.
Leader of government at federal and state level?
Federal leader ➡️ Malcolm Turnbull
Opposition leader ➡️ bill shorten
🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴
State Leader➡️ Daniel Andrews
Head of state ??
Federal ➡️ Malcolm Turnbull
Monarch➡️ the queen
3 Pros and 3 Cons of compulsory voting
Pros 🔴 ➡️Everyone has a chance to voice opinion ➡️your say matters ➡️encourages people to get involved with politics Cons 🔴 ➡️if you don't vote you get fined ➡️younger people don't get to have a say ➡️some people don't take it seriously and cast fake votes
What is a parliament government ?
A government formed from the elected members of parliament. The current government of Australia is the Coallitiin of parties The liberals and the Nationals.
What is a referendum?
A referendum is a yes or no vote done by the Australian public on any rules or proposed new measures the government wish to change. This can be a rule being added or changed in the constitution. An example of a need for a referendum would be legalising gay marriage.
What is the constitution?
The constitution is a written statement outlining the basic structures of laws a government must follow. It provides the frame work of rules and regulations for the operation of s government.
Structure of the state parliament?
Legislative assembly
= equivalent of the HoR (88 seats)
Legislative Council
= like the senate (40 seats)
What is parliament?
Parliament is an elected group of representatives. Split between both an upper and lower house, with the head of state being the queen the parliament makes laws for the country or state.
What is government?
Is a group of people within a parliament,end who come up worn laws and take responsibility run a country. An individual such as Malcolm Turnbull leads the government in decision making and public appearances.
