mandates Flashcards
(18 cards)
What are mandates?
Mandates are not legally enforceable and serve as a tool of persuasion to convince others to accept power.
Who claims mandates?
Mandates are claimed by MPs, parties, individuals, governments, and others with political power.
What do Sections 7 and 24 state about MPOs?
Sections 7 and 24 state that MPOs are directly chosen by the people.
How often do federal elections occur according to Sections 28 and 7?
Federal elections occur every 3 years.
What does Section 64 require?
Section 64 requires ministers to be MPs.
How are governments justified?
Governments represent the will of the majority and are justified by constitutional and Westminster conventions.
What is a notable example of a disproportionate mandate?
The Labor party won 35% of the primary vote but had a 94/151 seat majority.
How does the election method affect government mandates?
Indirectly elected officials have a weaker mandate than directly elected officials, e.g., the President of the USA has a higher mandate than the Australian PM.
What role does the opposition have in the Westminster system?
The opposition has a legitimate role to justify its power and keep the government accountable.
What was the outcome of the 2001 election regarding mandates?
The ALP won more of the national vote but fewer seats than the Liberal party, giving the Liberal party a greater mandate.
What is the importance of elections to mandates?
Elections are fundamental to mandates, with the House of Representatives elections being fair, free, and regular.
What is a specific mandate?
Specific mandates are claims for promises and policies made during an election campaign.
Example: The Coalition government claimed a mandate to pass the Religious Discrimination Bill after being elected in 2019.
What is a general mandate?
General mandates justify midterm policies not explicitly promised during the election.
Example: A liberal government may claim a general mandate to introduce conservative policies.
What is unique about the Senate in terms of mandates?
The Senate is a power house representing states and may claim a constitutional right to exercise power on their state’s behalf.
What issue arises from small states having overrepresented senators?
Small state senators may have disproportionate power compared to larger states.
What was the case of Independent Senator Harradine?
Harradine held the balance of power from 1994 to 1999 despite having only 0.12% of Australia’s voter support.
How do government and balance of power senators’ mandates conflict?
Governments claim mandates from more than half of electors, while balance of power senators represent a tiny fraction of the electorate.
What is the opposition’s right to oppose?
The opposition has a legitimate role in opposing and scrutinizing the government as the second largest party in the House of Representatives.
