HaSS Flashcards
To get an A (26 cards)
What is the Senate?
The Upper House of the federal Parliament of Australia.
How many Senators are in the Senate?
76 senators, 12 from each of the six states and two each from NT and ACT
What is the House of Rpresentatives?
The lower house of the Commonwealth parliament.
How many Representatives in the House of Representatives?
151
What is an Electorate?
A designated area that is represented by an elected member in parliament.
What is a Mandate?
The authority or approval given by voters to government, leader, or party, to carry out certain policies or actions
Explain the Preferential system
It’s a system where voters rank candidates in order of preference. If no one gets over 50% of the 1st choice votes, the least popular candidate is eliminated, and their votes go to the next choice. This continues until someone gets a majority.
Explain Proportional voting
It’s a system where seats are divided based on the proportion of votes each party gets.
(E.g.) If a party gets 30% of the vote, they get about 30% of the seats..
Define Coalition
It’s when two or more political parties team up to form a majority in parliament. This helps them govern together and pass laws.
What is the Opposition?
It’s the main group of politicians who are not in power.
Summarise and describe the three major political parties
- Labor: Fairness for all—helping workers, schools, and hospitals.
- Liberal: Freedom first—supporting businesses and personal choices.
- Nationals: Country care—focusing on farmers and rural communities.
What does PIMP-AI-O stand for?
Public debate
Important Issues
Media
Party Loyalty
Advertising
Interest Groups
Opinion Polls
Explain how elections work in Australia
- Voters rank candidates
- Votes are counted
- Preferences are redistributed until someone wins with over 50%.
- The winners represent their areas in parliament.
Describe the factors that influence government policy
People’s needs: What citizens want and need.
Money: How much money the government has to spend.
Experts: Advice from scientists, economists, and other specialists.
Media: News and public opinion.
Other countries: What’s happening around the world.
What is democracy?
Democracy in Australia means we vote for the people/person/party that rules and represents our district
What are the democratic values? (Think REFF)
Respect
Equality
Fairness
Freedom
Define Justice
Treat each other with fairness for all people
How can we encourage justice? (BLUR)
-Right to a fair trial
-Legal Representation
-Unbiased juries
-Burden of proof
What is participation?
A sense of ownership and accountability
How can we participate?
Voting
Paying taxes
Serving a jury
Describe the Westminster System/Who makes up the Westminster system?
Lower House/House of Reps
Head of state/Sovereign (King Charles)
Head of Government (Prime Minister)
An executive or cabinet, made of ministers
An independent civil service who serves the government in power
An independent judiciary which upholds the Law (police and courts)
List 3 rights we have as citizens
The right to vote
The right to freedom
The right to trial by jury
List 3 responsibilities we have as citizens
Voting in elections
Jury service
Paying taxes
Obeying the law
What are opinion polls?
Opinion polls are surveys that ask people what they think about certain topics, like politics or leaders
