Year 10 Civics and Citizenship Revision Sheet.docx

Representative Democracy

A system where citizens elect representatives to make laws on their behalf, as seen in countries like Australia.

Parliament

A legislative body with two chambers elected by the people to make laws, where members are elected in free and fair elections and laws require a majority vote.

Roles of Parliament

Making and amending laws, discussing matters affecting voters, examining societal issues, and reviewing legal injustices.

Principles of Government

Protecting individual rights, reflecting people's views in laws, being accountable to citizens, and ensuring separation of powers.

Aims of a Liberal Democracy

Safeguarding freedom of speech and assembly, and restricting offensive behavior in public.

Active Participation in Democracy

Voting, protesting, and writing as forms of engagement in the democratic system.

Responsible Government Accountability

Parliamentarians are held accountable through mechanisms like parliamentary question time and the duty to resign for dishonorable actions.

Separation of Powers

Ensures no single body has control over political and legal systems, with powers divided into executive, legislative, and judicial branches.

Functions of Government Arms

Legislative makes laws, Executive implements laws, and Judicial interprets and applies laws.

Westminster Parliamentary System

Includes the upper house, lower house, and the reigning English monarch or 'Crown'.

Senate Functions

Acts as a house of review and protects state interests.

House of Representatives Seats

Contains 150 electoral seats.

Senate Seats

76 seats in total, with 12 for each state and 2 for each territory.

Queensland State Government

Unique for having only a Lower House.

Indonesian vs

Indonesian system has district-level parliaments, 5-year elections, and simultaneous national and provincial elections.

Australian vs

Both have 3 levels of government, direct elections, use of ballot papers, and fixed government terms.

Japanese vs

Japanese lower house can pass a bill with a majority vote even if rejected by the upper house.

State vs

Power initially vested in states, with common areas transferred to the Federal government.

High Court of Australia

Acts as a check on the federal government by holding it accountable for breaches of the constitution.