Participation in the Democratic Process Flashcards
(20 cards)
Rights & Responsibilities in Democracy
Rights, Responsibilities
Rights
Freedom of speech, the right to vote, the right to protest.
Example: Australians can vote in elections or protest against government policies.
Responsibilities
Obeying laws, being informed, respecting others’ rights.
Example: Citizens must follow election rules and respect different political opinions.
Election Methods in Australia
First past the post, Preferential voting, Optional preferential voting, Proportional voting
First past the post
The candidate with the most votes wins.
Example: Used in UK elections but not in Australia.
Preferential voting
Voters rank candidates; lower-ranked candidates are eliminated until one wins a majority.
Example: Used in Australian House of Representatives elections.
Proportional voting
Seats are distributed based on vote percentage.
Example: Used in Australian Senate elections.
Optional preferential voting
Voters rank as many candidates as they want.
Example: Used in NSW elections.
Role of Political Parties & Independents
Political parties, Independents
Political parties
Groups sharing political goals (Labor, Liberal, Greens).
Independents
Candidates without party affiliations, often focused on community issues.
How Government Policy is Developed
Prime Minister and Cabinet propose policies.
Parliament debates and votes on laws.
Example: The government introduced new environmental laws after reviewing expert advice.
Majority Government vs Hung Parliament
Majority government, Hung parliament, Minority government
Majority government
One party wins most seats and governs alone.
Example: The Labor Party won a majority in the 2022 federal election.
Hung parliament
No party wins a majority; negotiations occur.
Example: The 2010 election led to a minority government under Julia Gillard.
Minority government
A party governs with support from independents or smaller parties.
Example: The 2010 Labor government relied on independent MPs.
Separation of Powers
Legislative (Parliament), Executive (Government), Judiciary (Courts)
Legislative (Parliament)
Makes laws
Executive (Government)
Implements laws
Judiciary (Courts)
Interprets laws.
Example: Courts rule whether new laws comply with constitutional rights.
