Government Flashcards
(33 cards)
What are the levels of government?
- Federal
- State
- Local
Responsibilities of Federal government
Based in Canberra, concerned with governing all of Australia across areas including defence, immigration, trade, currency.
Responsibilities of State government
Based in each capital city (e.g. Melbourne), concerned with governing each state across areas including police, hospitals, education, emergency services, roads.
Responsibilities of Local government
Based in each local area (municipality), concerned with issues including maintenance of parts, waste collection and minor roads.
What is an electorate?
the area represented by one member of parliament.
What is the parliamentary system ?
Westminster system, which we have inherited from our British colonial past.
Who uses the parliamentary system?
Federal and state governments.
What is the parliament comprised of?
The queen, the senate, the house of representatives
What is the senate?
The upper house, decorated in red, made up of 76 senators - 12 each state, 2 each territory.
What is the house of representatives?
The lower house, decorated in green, made up of 150 members - one for each electorate (geographical area),.
What is a democracy?
A system of government by the whole population, or all eligible members of state, typically through elected representatives.
What is a constitution?
A body of fundamental principals, or a set of rules by which a country or state is run.
What is a government?
The group of people with authority to govern a state or country.
What is a representative democracy?
Is a type of democracy founded on the principle of elected official representing a group of people.
What is a referendum?
a general vote by the electorate on a single political question which has been referred to them for a direct decision.
What is an election?
the process of voting, in order to choose someone to be their political leader or representative in government.
Types of voting
Preferential voting, simple majority
What is preferential voting?
Used in Australia, requires voters to number each candidate in order of preference. When counting the votes, the first preferences are allocated first, and the candidate with the least vote is eliminated, then the 2nd preference is allocated and so on until there is one winner.
What is simple majority?
Also known as “first past the post”. Use in USA, requires voters to tick the name of their preferred candidate. The person with the most ticks wins.
Which type of voting is more effective, why?
Preferential voting works better as it takes into consideration all voters
Which type of voting is more effective, why?
Preferential voting works better as it takes into consideration all voters opinions, not only their first preference.
Who can vote?
You can vote if you are an Australian citizen, and you are 18 years or older.
Name several political parties
Liberal, Labour, Greens, National, one nation
What is a Governor General?
The Governor General is appointed by the queen, to be her representative in Australia.
