Politics and Law Year 10 Flashcards

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering the Australian system of government, constitutional safeguards, legal precedents like Love and Thoms, and modern threats to democracy such as misinformation and foreign influence.

Checks and balances

Mechanisms that prevent one branch of government from becoming too powerful by allowing each branch to limit or review the actions of others.

High Court

The judicial body in Australia that has the power to declare laws unconstitutional as part of the system of checks and balances.

Representative democracy

A system where citizens elect representatives to make laws and decisions on their behalf.

Federalism

The division of law-making power between different levels of government, specifically Federal, State/Territory, and Local.

Westminster system

A system of government followed by Australia consisting of a head of state (represented by the Governor-General), an elected Parliament, and a Prime Minister and Cabinet drawn from that Parliament.

Australian Constitution

The supreme law of Australia that establishes the structure of government, the powers of each branch, and how power is divided.

Rule of law

The principle that all people, including government officials, are equally subject to and protected by laws.

Free and fair elections

Regular elections conducted via secret ballot, managed independently by the AEC, and allowing for the peaceful transfer of power.

Australian Electoral Commission (AEC)

The independent body responsible for managing and overseeing elections in Australia.

Universal Suffrage

The right of all adult citizens to vote in elections and referendums regardless of their background.

Right to dissent

The freedom to disagree with, criticise, or protest against the government, laws, or decisions within the bounds of the law without unfair punishment.

Legislature

The branch of government responsible for making laws, comprised of the House of Representatives and the Senate.

Executive

The branch of government that enforces laws, including the Prime Minister, Cabinet, and Governor-General.

Judiciary

The branch of government that interprets laws, consisting of the High Court and Federal Court.

The Voice referendum (2023)

A vote to decide on establishing a permanent Indigenous advisory body to Parliament, which resulted in a "No" outcome.

Double majority

A requirement for changing the Constitution where a majority of voters nationwide and a majority of voters in a majority of states must agree.

Love and Thoms (2020)

A High Court case ruling that non-citizen Aboriginal Australians were not within the reach of the "aliens power" in s51(xix) and could not be deported.

s51(xix)

The section of the Australian Constitution regarding "aliens power" used in the Love and Thoms case to determine deportation rights.

Terrorism

The use of violence or threats intended to create fear, insecurity, and social disruption while challenging democratic values.

Bondi shooting (14th of dec 2025)

A mass shooting incident at Bondi beach during Chanukah by the sea involving a father and son, resulting in terrorism and murder charges.

Digitisation of Media

The shift to digital platforms that facilitates the rapid spread of misinformation, deepfakes, and fake news, impacting public opinion.

Donkey voting

The act of a voter ranking candidates in the order they appear on the ballot paper rather than researching their choices.

Informal ballots

Votes that are incorrectly filled out and therefore not counted in the election results.

Vested interests

A personal or financial stake, such as corporate donations from fossil fuel companies, used to attempt to influence government decisions.

ASIO

The Australian Security Intelligence Organisation which, in 2023, disrupted a foreign plot aimed at interfering with Australia’s democratic system.