Year 9 History, Government & Legal Systems 2023

Democracy

To rule by the people

Representative Democracy

• Used by Australia

• People elect representatives to sit in the parliament to make laws on their behalf.

Constitutional Monarchy

A form of monarchy where the monarch is not alone in making decisions.

Governor General

Represents the King in Australia

Constitution

A set of rules that Australia is governed by, and outlines the structure, roles and powers of Parliament.

Referendum

• A vote to change the constitution

• To become law, the proposed change must achieve a ‘double majority’

• Eligible voters must vote ‘yes’ or ‘no’ if they approve the change

• Referendums contribute to a democracy by giving people the power to change the constitution, and to allow freedom of speech

Structure of Federal Parliament

The King, Governor- General, Federal Parliament, Senate, House of Reps

How is the government formed?

76 or more of the 151 electorates have to be voted in from the same party in the House of Representatives.

How is the Prime Minister selected?

The party leader of the winning party that forms Government becomes the Prime Minister.

Member of Parliament

The representative in Parliament of the people who live in their electorate.

House of Representatives

• Lower House

• Green

• 151 Seats

• Introduces Laws

The Senate

• Upper House

• Red

• 76 Seats

• 12 Reps/State and 2 Reps/Territories

• Reviews Laws before their passing

What are the requirements to create a political party?

• Registered with the Australian Electoral Commission

• The aims of the party must be submitted

• At least 500 eligible voters

Australian Political Parties

• Labour

• Liberal

• National

• Greens

• United Australia

What do political parties do?

• Aim to win government

• Campaign to convince voters

• Promote the interests of voters

How do political parties campaign?

• Debates

• Traditional media (News, papers, radio)

• Advertising

A policy of a political party

Liberal: Lower taxes to back small businesses, drive more investment and boost productivity, through $100 billion permanent tax relief.

Key Principles of the Australian Electoral System (7)

• Universal suffrage (Over 18 you have the right to vote)

• Secret ballot (Ensures vote privacy)

• Compulsory voting (Compulsory for all over 18)

• Fixed terms for parliament (H.O.R 3-year term, Senate 6-year term)

• One vote, one value (Equality)

• Preferential voting

• Combinations of single-member and multi-member electorates (H.O.R 1MP/90,000 people, Multi→ Senate 12 M.P/State)

Australia’s Effectiveness of Government

The country has maintained a stable liberal democratic political system under its Constitution since it’s Federation in 1901.

• Prime Minister and party

• Leader of Op. and party

• Governor General

• Premier of Victoria

• Anthony Albanese Labor

• Peter Dutton Liberal

• David Hurley

• Jacinta Allan

Political Party

A group of people with the same views and values.

Role of the Government

The main decision-making body of the Australian Government and is responsible for putting federal laws into action.

Role of the Opposition

To question the government and hold them accountable.

Role of the Prime Minister

The leader of the Australian Government.

Role of the Opposition Leader

Directs the opposition's policies and strategies. presents themselves as an alternative Premier.

Assassination Date

28th June 1914

War Starts Date

28th July 1914

Anzacs Land Date

25th April 1915

Allies Withdrew Date

December 1915

War Ends Date

11th November 1918

Triple Alliance

Germany, Austria- Hungary, Italy

Triple Entente

France Britain, Russia

M.A.I.N Causes of War

Militarism, Alliances, Imperialism, Nationalism

The Spark of WWI

The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of the Austria- Hungarian empire in Sarajevo, Bosnia on 28th June 1914.

The Political Aim of the Assassination

To free Bosnia and Herzegovina of Austria-Hungarian rule

The Black Hand

A Serbian society that used terrorist methods to promote liberation

Militarism

The belief is that a country should maintain a strong military capability and be prepared to use it aggressively to defend or promote national interests

Militarism in WW1

• European countries competed over empire size and armies

• Britain and Germany’s strongest navy competition

Alliances

The relationships with supporting countries with the same ideas to gain confidence and support in the war.

Alliances in WW1

• Triple Alliance and Triple Entente

• Was supposed to prevent conflicts from escalating into larger ones, but had the opposite effect

Imperialism

The policy of an empire by which it gains land by conquest and rules other countries, or dominates them as colonies.

Imperialism in WW1

• European countries like Britain, Spain, France built empires by colonizing America, Australia and Asia

• Lots of countries competed for colonial expansion

Nationalism

To feel pride, loyalty and devotion to their country. (Australia Day)

Nationalism in WW1

• Tied with militarism and created new areas of interest where nations could compete

• Assassination of Franz Ferdinand was Serbian nationalism

Australia’s Response to War

• Obligated to follow the British Empire

• No conscription and gave men freedom to enlist

The Gallipoli Campaign

• 1915, Allies and Central Powers wanted to open supply lines to Russia through the Dardanelles strait

• Belief that if Constantinople was threatened, it would force Turks out of war, weaken Germany, open new front+ line of communication

• 25th April 1915, Australians landed at Anzac Cove on Gallipoli Peninsula

• Ultimate loss for Australia (8709 AUS men)

The Western Front

• France and Britain forces halted German advance on fields of North France and Belgium

• All five Australian divisions took part on the Western Front

The Home Front

• Lots of support at home

• Women took over men in workforce

• Charity work, volunteering at military hospitals, rallies

• Packed ‘comforts’ and knitted warm socks

Trench Warfare

• Main fighting zone in Western Front trenches

• Poor Conditions (Trench foot, lice, rat, dead bodies)

Sea Warfare

• The Navy sent its only battle cruiser to capture German New Guinea

• Also escorted transport ships

• Drove Germans out of the Pacific

Land Warfare

Australia fought in Gallipoli, Egypt and Palestine

Conscription

• A government policy that makes it compulsory to serve in the military

• The Prime Minister Billy Hughes in 1916 wanted to pass conscription as law but failed

Pro-Conscription Arguements

• Conscription meant ‘equality of sacrifice’

• It was Australia’s duty to support Great Britain

• Voluntary recruitment had failed

Anti-Conscription Arguments

• There would not be enough hands to farm if men were conscripted

• Too many Australian men had already died or been wounded

• Moral objection to the war (Pacifist)

Treaty of Versailles

• A peace document signed at the end of WW1 in the Hall of Mirrors on June 28, 1919

• Formally ended World War One.

• Germany had to pay financial reparations, disarm, lose territory, and give up all of its overseas colonies.

Impact of War on Australia

• The Australian government took more control over people’s lives. 

• Conscription divided Australian society.

• The participation of women in the workforce increased.

• Australians developed a strong sense of identity based on the ANZAC legend.

Australia’s Justice System

The legal system that ensures society is safe, fair and just.

Australia’s Justice System Values

• Fair treatment by the courts for everyone

• Independent judges who are free to make fair decisions

• The right to appeal a decision made by a court

How is the Australian Legal System democratic?

• The decision is shared between jury members.

• People who are chosen to be jury people are chosen at random.

• It reflects what the society believes to be just and correct.

The Judiciary

• Makes judgments about the law, settles disputes and enforces the law

• Courts, Judges and Magistrates

• Must not be subject to political influence from the government or have a vested political interest in any person or organisation

Criminal Law

• Regulates conduct in society to protect the community and provides sanctions against those who commit crimes.

• If a person is found guilty, they can receive a punishment, including imprisonment or a fine.

Civil Law

Non-criminal disputes between individuals and groups. It deals with behaviour that results in injury or damage to an individual, group or business.

Adversary System

Two sides will present their arguments to an independent body (i.e. a judge or magistrate).

Australian Court Hierachy

High Court of Australia→ The Supreme Court of Victoria (State Court)→ The County Court→ The Magistrates Court of Victoria

High Court of Australia

• Has 7 Judges

• It is the highest court of appeal from the state court system.

• Has the power to interpret the Australian Constitution.

• It resolves disputes between state governments and between state governments and the Commonwealth Government.

High Court Jurisdiction

Original and Appellate

The Supreme Court of Victoria

• Highest court in Victoria

• Hears criminal and civil cases with a judge and 12 jury

Supreme Court Trial Divisions

• Criminal

• Common Law (Developed by judges building on precedent)

• Commercial Court (Businesses)

Supreme Court Jurisdiction

• Original and Appellate

• Serious crimes: Murder, Treason

• Serious Civil cases: Complex cases, $200k and above

The Magistrates Court

• Lowest Court in Victoria

• Hears 90% of all cases

• No jury and is heard by a judicial officer eg. Magistrate

Magistrates Court Jurisdiction

• Criminal and Civil

• Summary/minor offences eg. Driving offences, shoplifting, Drunk and disorderly

• Small civil claims

Jurisdiction

The power or authority of a court to hear specific types of cases.

Original Jurisdiction

The power of a court to hear and decide a case for the first time. Here they hear serious criminal cases and complex civil matters.

Appellate Jurisdiction

The power of a court to review a lower court’s decision (appeals)

Precedent

A judgement or decision that is used in a subsequent dispute as an example to justify the decisions of a similar case or point of view.

Doctrine of Precendent

A judge will be guided by the legal principles that are applied in a similar case to guide their judgement. Common law can also be created by precedent.

Appeals & The Right to Appeal

An appeal in our legal system means that they can ask for a higher court to review their decision. Any person who is involved in a court case who is unhappy with the outcome has the right to appeal.

Appellant

A person who appeals in court.

Respondent

A person who defends the appeal.