Government

Question 1

What is Representative Government?

Answer 1

An electoral system where citizens vote to elect people to represent their interests and concerns. Those elected meet to debate and make laws on behalf of the whole community.

Question 2

What is Participatory Democracy?

Answer 2

When individual citizens participate in political decisions and policies that affect their lives (all citizens have a say in governing their society), especially directly rather than through elected representatives (Representative Government).

Question 3

What is a petition?

Answer 3

A petition is a formal request for parliament to to take action. They are documents addressed to officials that are signed by individuals.

Question 4

What is a Prime minister?

Answer 4

The head of an elected government. The Prime minister is the leader of the party with the majority of seats in the House of Representatives.

Question 5

Define Democracy

Answer 5

A system of government by the whole population, or all the eligible members of a state, in which representatives are elected.

Question 6

What are the three levels of government?

Answer 6

Federal, State and Local.

Question 7

What is the Federal Government?

Answer 7

The body of individuals at the federal level that set and and administer public policy, exercise executive and political power through customs, institutions and laws within a country.

Question 8

What is federal government responsible for?

Answer 8

Defence, welfare, economics and international trade and relations, passports.

Question 9

What is State Government?

Answer 9

The government in charge of a certain state in the country. The state government is responsible for everything not listed as a federal responsibility (sometimes both levels are involved).

Question 10

What is the state government responsible for?

Answer 10

Police, ambulance, firefighters, schools, hospitals, roads, railways, public transport

Question 11

What is Local Government?

Answer 11

The administration of a particular district with representatives elected by those who live there.

Question 12

What is the local government responsible for?

Answer 12

Local roads and footpaths, parks and playing fields, libraries, local environmental issues, waste disposal and other community services.

Question 13

What is The Opposition?

Answer 13

The second largest party or group of parties in the House of Representatives.

Question 14

What are the three different elements of Australian Parliament?

Answer 14

The House of Representatives, the Senate and Crown.

Question 15

What is the House of Representatives?

Answer 15

The lower house or the people’s house. There are 150 members (MPs) in the lower house.

Question 16

What is the upper house and how many members are there?

Answer 16

The upper house or house of review is known as The Senate. It is made up of 76 members, 12 from each state, 2 from each territory.

Question 17

What does both the Senate and House of Representatives do?

Answer 17

Debate and pass bills, scrutinise government and represent the people of Australia.

Question 18

What is the crown?

Answer 18

The Crown is the direct correspondent to the Queen, the Governor General.

Question 19

Define Pressure Group

Answer 19

A group that tries to influence public policy in the interest of a particular cause (also known as Advocacy groups).

Question 20

What is criminal law?

Answer 20

Criminal law is concerned with offences against the wellbeing of the community. These offences include offences against:

1. The ‘State’ eg. Treason
2. A person eg. Murder, assault
3. Property eg. Theft, damage
4. Public order eg. Traffic, abusive language Criminal offences are classified according to seriousness.

Question 21

Less serious criminal offences, such as speeding or jay-walking, are known as?

Answer 21

Summary offences

Question 22

More serious offences such as theft and homicide are known as?

Answer 22

Indictable offences

Question 23

What is Civil Law?

Answer 23

Civil law is concerned with behaviour between one individual and another individual. For example, cases where there are disputes regarding ownership of property, contracts or divorce.

Question 24

Why do laws need to be changed?

Answer 24

Laws need to change to ensure that behaviour is regulated so that actions which harm members of the community become unlawful.

Question 25

What is compulsory voting?

Answer 25

Compulsory voting refers to laws which require eligible citizens to register for and participate in democratic election of representatives to form governance.

Question 26

What are the advantages of compulsory voting?

Answer 26

The results are considered legitimate and a true reflection of society due to high turnout. Elections focus on issues not making voters turn up. Most Australians are in favour of it (Over 70%).

Question 27

What are the disadvantages of compulsory voting?

Answer 27

If we have the right to vote, it is believed we should have the right not to vote. Others democratic countries have optional voting Voters could potentially submit a donkey vote.

Question 28

What Preferential Voting?

Answer 28

This system takes into account the voters preference each candidate with a "1" next to that name, a "2" next to your second preference, and so on. When the votes are tallied, if no candidate has the majority of “1's”, the candidates with the fewest is eliminated and their vote is reallocated according to the voters second preference. This process is repeated until one candidate remains.

Question 29

What is first past the post voting?

Answer 29

A voting method in which voters vote for a candidate of their choice and the candidate with the most votes wins.

Question 30

What cases are heard with in the Magistrates' Court of Victoria?

Answer 30

Criminal law: Minor criminal offences eg. Traffic Civil law: Damages up to $100,000

Question 31

What cases are heard in the Supreme Court of Victoria?

Answer 31

Criminal Law: serious criminal offences eg. Manslaughter, murder Civil law: unlimited damages

Question 32

What cases are heard in the High Court of Australia?

Answer 32

Constitutional matters

Question 33

What are the main political parties of Australia?

Answer 33

The Coalition- The Liberal Party of Australia, National Party of Australia, Liberal national party, country liberals The Australian Labour Party The Australian greens

Question 34

Define Coalition

Answer 34

The Coalition, also known as the Liberal–National Coalition, is a political alliance of parties

Question 35

How often are Australian federal elections?

Answer 35

Federal elections are generally held every three years unless the prime minister requests otherwise and is approved by the Governor General.

Question 36

Define electorate

Answer 36

A geographical area of Australia represented by a member of Parliament elected at a House of Representatives election.

Question 37

Who is Daniel Andrews?

Answer 37

The premier of Victoria

Question 38

Who is Malcom Turnbull?

Answer 38

The prime minister of Australia