Social Science

Question 1

What is a democracy?

Answer 1

A system of government in which the citizens exercise power directly or elect representatives.

Question 2

Types of democracy in Australia

Answer 2

Monarch, liberal and representative democracy.

Question 3

What are the benefits of living in a democracy?

Answer 3

• protection of individual rights
• political participation
• accountability of government
• promotion of equality.

Question 4

Explain the connection between the Magna Carta and the Rule of Law in Australia.

Answer 4

The Magna Carta established the principle that everyone is subject to the law, laying the foundation for the Rule of Law in Australia.

Question 5

What is the Separation of Powers in Australia?

Answer 5

The division of government responsibilities into distinct branches: legislative, executive, and judicial.

Question 6

List 4 features of Australia’s liberal democracy.

Answer 6

• Free and fair elections
• Protection of individual rights
• Rule of law
• Separation of powers

Question 7

What are the law-making responsibilities of the 3 levels of government in Australia?

Answer 7

Responsibilities include local laws by local government, state laws by state government, and federal laws by the federal government.

Question 8

Who are the key roles in Australia’s democratic system?

Answer 8

• Governor-General
• Parliament (House of Representatives & Senate)
• Prime Minister & Cabinet
• Opposition & Shadow Ministry

Question 9

Outline the roles of the two houses of parliament in the law-making process.

Answer 9

The House of Representatives introduces and debates bills, while the Senate debates, reviews and approves or rejects the bill in its final form- to be sent to the govoner general

Question 10

Define a bill.

Answer 10

A draft of a proposed law presented for debate in Parliament.

Question 11

Define House of Representatives.

Answer 11

The lower house of Parliament responsible for initiating legislation.

Question 12

Define Senate.

Answer 12

The upper house of Parliament that reviews legislation proposed by the House of Representatives.

Question 13

Define Ministerial Portfolio.

Answer 13

A specific area of responsibility assigned to a minister within the government.

Question 14

Explain how government is formed from electoral results in the House of Representatives.

Answer 14

The party with the majority of seats forms the government, and its leader becomes the Prime Minister.

Question 15

How is the Prime Minister chosen?

Answer 15

The Prime Minister is usually the leader of the party that holds the majority in the House of Representatives.

Question 16

Define parliamentary majority.

Answer 16

A situation where one party holds more than half the seats in the House of Representatives.

Question 17

Define hung parliament.

Answer 17

A situation where no single party has an outright majority in the House of Representatives.

Question 18

Define minority government.

Answer 18

A government formed by a party that has the most seats but less than half of the total seats.

Question 19

Define electorate.

Answer 19

A geographical area represented by a member of Parliament.

Question 20

Fill in the blank: The _______ voting system is used to determine the winning candidate.

Answer 20

preferential

Question 21

Outline the 3 steps involved in forming a political party.

Answer 21

• Gathering support
• Drafting a party constitution
• Registering with the electoral commission

Question 22

What are the values behind Australia’s 4 key political parties?

Answer 22

• ALP: Labor rights and social justice
• LP: Free market and individual freedom
• The Nationals: Rural interests
• Greens: Environmental protection

Question 23

Outline some of the different ways political parties try to influence voters.

Answer 23

• Campaign strategies
• Media engagement
• Public rallies
• Policy proposals

Question 24

Define political party.

Answer 24

An organized group of people with similar political ideologies aiming to gain control of government.

Question 25

Define parliamentary party.

Answer 25

A political party that has elected representatives in Parliament.

Question 26

Define independent candidate.

Answer 26

A candidate running for election without party affiliation.

Question 27

Define coalition.

Answer 27

An alliance between political parties to form a government.

Question 28

Define Constitution.

Answer 28

A set of fundamental principles or established precedents according to which a state or organization is governed.

Question 29

Define plebiscite.

Answer 29

A direct vote in which an entire electorate is invited to vote on a particular proposal.

Question 30

Define referendum.

Answer 30

A vote in which the electorate is asked to either accept or reject a proposed law.

Question 31

Define double majority.

Answer 31

A requirement for a referendum to pass, needing a majority of votes in the total electorate and a majority in a majority of states.

Question 32

What is the purpose of the Australian Constitution?

Answer 32

To establish the framework of government and define the rights of citizens.

Question 33

List 5 things the Australian Constitution established.

Answer 33

* The structure of Parliament * The powers of the federal government * The relationship between states and the federal government * The process for amending the Constitution * The rights of citizens

Question 34

List 5 aims of The Australian Constitution.

Answer 34

* To unite the colonies * To provide for a federal system of government * To ensure the rule of law * To protect individual rights * To establish a system for resolving disputes

Question 35

List 5 rights the Australian Constitution explicitly protects.

Answer 35

* Right to free speech * Right to religion * Right to trial by jury * Right to vote * Right to property

Question 36

List 5 rights the Australian Constitution does not explicitly protect.

Answer 36

* Right to privacy * Right to education * Right to healthcare * Right to social security * Right to a fair trial

Question 37

Distinguish between a referendum and plebiscite.

Answer 37

A referendum involves a vote on a proposed change to law, while a plebiscite is a vote on an issue of public interest without legal effect.

Question 38

How is the outcome of a referendum determined?

Answer 38

By examining the results based on the double majority requirement.