hass revision final

Court Hierarchy (Australia)

The system of courts in Australia ranked from lowest to highest: Local/Magistrates Court, District Court, Supreme Court, High Court of Australia.

Local Court

Deals with minor offences, such as shoplifting and traffic offences.

District Court

Handles serious criminal cases, including robbery and serious assault.

Supreme Court

The court for the most serious cases, such as murder and manslaughter.

High Court of Australia

The highest court that hears appeals and constitutional cases.

Precedent

The principle that lower courts must follow the decisions of higher courts to ensure consistency and fairness.

Right to Appeal

The ability to take a case to a higher court to fix mistakes.

Independent Judiciary

Courts operate free from government influence.

Equality Before the Law

The principle that everyone is treated equally under the law.

Presumption of Innocence

The principle that a person is considered innocent until proven guilty.

Burden of Proof

The responsibility of the prosecution to prove the defendant's guilt.

Proof Beyond Reasonable Doubt

The level of certainty required for a jury to convict.

Fair and Public Hearing

The requirement for trials to be conducted fairly and openly.

Impartial Judge and Jury

Judges and juries must be unbiased and fair.

Trial by Media

A situation where public opinion is influenced by media coverage, possibly compromising fairness.

Miscarriage of Justice

When an innocent person is wrongfully convicted.

Preferential Voting

A voting system where voters rank candidates and eliminate the lowest until one candidate achieves a majority.

Proportional Voting

A system where seats are allocated based on the percentage of votes received, allowing for multiple winners.

Majority Government

A government formed by a party or coalition holding 76 or more seats.

Minority Government

A government that does not have the majority but relies on support from others.

Coalition Government

A government formed when multiple parties work together.

Independents

Members of parliament who are not affiliated with any political party and can influence government formation.

Media Influence on Voters

The way media shapes opinions and influences voting behavior.

Opinion Polls

Surveys that measure public opinion and predict voting trends.

Bandwagon Effect

The phenomenon where people tend to support the most popular party.

Underdog Effect

The tendency for people to support a party perceived as losing.

Interest Groups

Organizations that promote specific issues and aim to influence government policy.

Vested Interests

Individuals or groups that act for their own benefit.

Algorithms in Social Media

Mathematical formulas that control the content users see online, impacting public perception.

Young Global Citizens

Youth engaged in activism, social media awareness, and volunteering for global issues.

Parliament Basics

The structure of Australian Parliament: House of Representatives forms the government, Senate reviews laws, and the Governor-General gives royal assent.

Rules vs Laws

Rules are for small groups with minor consequences, while laws apply to society with serious consequences.

Scrutineer

An official who observes ballot counting to ensure fairness.

Polling Official

An official who manages voting stations and assists voters.

Definitions for Exam

Key legal terms and their meanings relevant for exams.

Final Memory List

Key points to remember for the exam, including government seat requirements, voting methods, and legal concepts.