Year 10 Civics and Citizenship: Australian and Indonesian Political and Legal Systems

Comprehensive practice flashcards covering Year 10 Civics notes on the Australian Constitution, High Court jurisdictions, landmark legal cases (Ha v NSW), threats to democracy, international peacekeeping, and comparative governance with Indonesia.

How does the United Nations maintain international stability in conflict zones?

By fostering and maintaining peaceful interactions among social, ethnic, and political groups through peacekeeping operations.

What personnel and financial contributions has Australia made to United Nations peacekeeping operations?

Australia has contributed $65,000$ people (including doctors, nurses, diplomats, engineers, and military personnel) to UN peacekeeping operations and donates a significant amount of money.

What are the six core roles of UN peacekeeping identified in the notes?

1. Protect civilians, 2. Prevent conflict, 3. Build rule of law and security, 4. Promote human rights, 5. Empower women, and 6. Deliver and add support.

When was the United Nations founded, and what was Australia's initial role in the organization?

The United Nations was founded in $1945$ after World War II with $51$ original members; Australia was one of the founding member nations.

What example is given of Australia's involvement in a case brought before the UN International Court of Justice?

Australia was involved in the International Court of Justice case regarding Japanese whaling.

What is the difference between Development Aid and Emergency Aid in Australian foreign assistance?

Development Aid focuses on long-term projects to reduce poverty and improve living standards, whereas Emergency Aid provides immediate relief during unexpected disasters (such as floods and earthquakes) with food, water, shelter, healthcare, and infrastructure rebuilding.

Which two non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are highlighted as providers of Australian foreign aid?

Oxfam and the Fred Hollows Foundation.

What three democratic safeguards are essential for protecting Australia's democratic society?

1. The people elect the government, 2. Elections are free and fair, and 3. Governments uphold basic human rights.

What specific electoral mechanisms protect Australia's representative democracy?

Compulsory voting (ensuring politicians hold a democratic mandate), secret voting, and management by the independent Australian Electoral Commission.

What are the seven threats to Australia's democratic society listed in the lecture notes?

1. Media bias and voting, 2. Vested interests, 3. Lawlessness (gangs), 4. Organised crime, 5. Corruption, 6. Lack of trust in democratic institutions, and 7. Aging society.

Why is media bias considered a threat to democracy?

Democracy relies on citizens making informed choices; biased reporting and misinformation alter voting behavior and undermine the democratic process.

How do vested interests threaten democratic processes?

Wealthy individuals use their financial resources to exert undue influence over politics and policymaking.

How does corruption threaten democratic society?

Corruption is the abuse of power for personal gain; it is completely contrary to democratic principles and damages social cohesion.

Why is an aging society identified as a structural challenge for Australia's democracy?

Due to baby boomer demographics and decreasing birth rates, the elderly population holds disproportionate political power simply due to their numerical advantage.

What is the highest court in Australia, and which constitutional provision establishes it?

The High Court of Australia, established under Section $71$ of the Australian Constitution.

What is the hierarchy of Australian courts from lowest to highest?

Local and Magistrates Court, Family Court, District Court, Supreme Court, and the High Court of Australia.

What does Section 71 of the Australian Constitution establish regarding judicial authority and bench size?

It vests the judicial power of the Commonwealth in the High Court, permits the creation of other federal courts, and mandates no fewer than $3$ justices (Australia currently has $7$).

What rules does Section 72 of the Australian Constitution set for High Court judges regarding appointment, tenure, and remuneration?

Justices are appointed by the Governor-General on the advice of the Prime Minister, must retire at age $70$, and receive remuneration that can be increased but never decreased.

What is the jurisdiction granted to the High Court under Section 73 of the Australian Constitution?

Appellate jurisdiction, allowing the High Court to hear and determine appeals from lower federal and state courts, such as state Supreme Courts.

What matters fall under the original jurisdiction of the High Court pursuant to Section 75 of the Constitution?

Matters arising under international treaties, matters affecting foreign representatives, cases where the Commonwealth is a party being sued, and disputes between states.

What does Section 76 of the Australian Constitution provide for?

Additional original jurisdiction, empowering Parliament to enact legislation granting the High Court original jurisdiction in specified areas.

What constitutional section was centered in the landmark case Ha v New South Wales (1997)?

Section $90$, which grants the Commonwealth Parliament exclusive power over duties of customs and excise.

What was the High Court's ruling in Ha v New South Wales (1997)?

The High Court ruled that New South Wales' business franchise license fees on tobacco sales were unconstitutional duties of excise and therefore invalid.

What was the significance of Ha v New South Wales (1997) for state revenue and federal relations?

State franchise fees on tobacco, alcohol, and fuel were declared illegal excise duties reserved exclusively for the Commonwealth, leading to severe vertical fiscal imbalance.

What are the four fundamental principles of government stated in the notes?

1. Protect the rights and freedoms of individuals, 2. Make laws that reflect society, 3. Maintain accountability to the people, and 4. Enforce the separation of powers.

How are the three branches of government defined under the doctrine of separation of powers?

The Legislature creates the law, the Executive enforces the law, and the Judiciary interprets the law and delivers judgments.

What are the three levels of government in Australia's division of powers and their respective service responsibilities?

Federal (currency, border protection, marriage), State (utilities like water and gas, school education, state police), and Local (local roads, footpaths, parks).

How are Exclusive, Concurrent, and Residual legislative powers defined in Australia?

Exclusive powers belong solely to the Federal Parliament (e.g., currency, borders); Concurrent powers are shared between federal and state parliaments (e.g., healthcare/Medicare); Residual powers are unspecified in the Constitution and remain with the States.

What are the compositions and election cycles of the two houses of the Australian Commonwealth Parliament?

House of Representatives (Lower House): $150$ members ($1$ per electorate) elected every $3$ years; Senate (Upper House): $76$ members ($12$ from each state and $2$ from each territory).

How is government formed under Australia's Westminster system of representative democracy?

The political party or coalition holding the majority of seats in the House of Representatives forms the government, with the Prime Minister and cabinet drawn from and responsible to Parliament.

What system of government does Australia operate under, and in what year was Federation achieved?

A federal parliamentary constitutional monarchy, achieved upon Federation in $1901$.

What system of government operates in Indonesia, and when did it achieve independence?

A unitary presidential republic, which declared independence from Dutch and Japanese colonial rule in $1945$ and held its first national elections in $1955$.

How do executive leadership and head of state roles differ between Australia and Indonesia?

Australia is a constitutional monarchy where the monarch (represented by the Governor-General) is head of state and the Prime Minister is head of government; Indonesia is a presidential republic where an elected president serves as both head of state and head of government.

What is the legislative structure of Indonesia's national parliament (MPR)?

The People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) consists of the DPR (lower house, with approximately $575$ to $580$ members elected every $5$ years) and the DPD (regional council, with $152$ members, $4$ from each province).