Unit 3 Legal Studies

Define Democracy

Government by the people - a system of government in which people vote their elected representatives into parliament.

Define the rule of law

All individuals and institutions, including the government, are accountable to the law, which must be clear, fair, and applied equally.

Define a representative government

A type of government comprised of politicians who represent certain individuals or groups.

Define a responsible government

A system in which the executive (Cabinet and Ministers) is drawn from the legislature and held accountable to it. If the executive loses the support of the majority in parliament, it must resign.

Define the Australian Constitution

The fundamental law that sets out the basic rules for governing Australia, establishing a federal system of government with a national (Commonwealth) government and state governments.

Define the separation of powers doctrine

Division of the government into three distinct branches, legislative (makes laws), executive (enforces laws), and judicial (interprets laws). Preventing any branch from becoming too powerful by creating a system of checks and balances.

Define referendum

A national vote in which Australian citizens decide whether to approve a proposed change to the Constitution.

Define a double dissolution

When the Governor General shuts down both the Senate and House of Representatives for an election to take place. It can only happen when there is a deadlock between the Senate and the House of Representatives on a bill

Define joint sitting

A parliamentary procedure where members of both houses of a bicameral structure meet together as a single body to resolve a legislative deadlock, often after a double dissolution.

What is the difference between a unicameral government and a bicameral

A unicameral government has one legislative chamber, while a bicameral government has two to allow for more checks and balances. Unicameral systems are often simpler and faster in passing laws.

Is the Queensland government a unicameral or a bicameral government

Unicameral, which is unique as it is the only state with this system.