HASS ESSAy Flashcards
(19 cards)
Australia is a constitutional monarchy which means it has a system of government where a monarch shares power with a constitutionally organized government. The Australian government operates under a bicameral system meaning it has two chambers in Parliament. These chambers are the House of Representatives known as the Lower House and the Senate referred to as the Upper House. Both houses collaborate to develop new bills which can ultimately become laws for the country. Both minor and major parties play significant roles in shaping our government as well which can also contribute to the forming of new laws as well. Each house also has distinct roles and responsibilities with different members serving in each. This essay will explore the functions of these two houses and will also examine the roles and responsibilities of minor and major parties.
Acronym: CMBLUBMDF
The House of Representatives ( Lower House ) is the House that forms our government. The main role of this House is to propose new ideas for laws
passing of new laws or to change existing laws since they have to represent the views of Australians. The way this House forms is that there are 151 seats (has to be an odd number so there is no tie ) and in order for a party to form the government they need to win at least 76 seats. When the party with the majority of seats wins the leader will become the Prime Minister and the selected members will become Ministers. The role of the Ministers is to introduce bills and to answer questions on their role of responsibility ( portfolio ) and they will also then become a member of the Cabinet. For example
Acronym: RFGMOMBC
The Senate is one of the two chambers of the Parliament of Australia playing a crucial role in the legislative process. It consists of 76 Senators with each state electing 12 Senators and the two territories electing 2 each. Senators are elected for a term of six years but half of the Senators are up for election every three years ensuring a rotation of representation. The Senate’s primary responsibilities include reviewing amending and approving legislation proposed by the House of Representatives. It acts as a house of review providing checks and balances on the government by scrutinizing proposed laws and holding the government accountable. Additionally the Senate has the power to investigate issues through committees contributing to informed decision-making. This structure helps ensure that diverse voices from across Australia are represented in the legislative process.
Acronym: FYRT
In Australia the political system is made up of major and minor parties each playing important roles in government. Major parties like the Liberal Party and the Labor Party have a significant influence on laws and policies because they often hold the majority of seats in Parliament and they form government. They represent a wide range of views and tend to have established support from the public. On the other hand minor parties such as the Greens and various regional parties provide alternative perspectives and can advocate for specific issues that might be overlooked by the major parties. Although they may not win as many seats minor parties can be crucial in forming coalitions and influencing legislation especially when no single party has an outright majority. This dynamic helps to ensure a broader representation of views and interests in the Australian government.
Acronym: MWRMWR
In conclusion the formation of government in Australia is a complex process that involves the election of representatives at both state and federal levels. Major parties such as the Liberal Party and the Labor Party play significant roles in shaping policy and governance
often dominating the political landscape by securing the majority of seats in the Upper house to form government. Their functions include proposing legislation scrutinizing government actions and representing the interests of their constituents. Minor parties while having less influence contribute to the democratic process by providing alternative viewpoints and holding major parties accountable. They often play a crucial role in influencing legislation and policy especially in a hung parliament where no single party has a clear majority. Overall both major and minor parties are essential in ensuring a balanced and representative government that reflects the diverse views of the Australian electorate.
Acronym: MMGHSF
