The Australian Parliamentary System

When did Australia federate?

1901

House of Representatives

Lower House - 151 seats  green, lower house, debates/proposes bills

The Senate

Upper House - 72 (12 from each state, 2 from territory) red, upper house, reviews bills, proposals and decisions from House of Reps

Who gives royal assent to bills?

Governor General -

What are three features of a representative democracy?

Regular elections: citizens vote every few years

Elected Representatives: citizens vote for the leaders

Majority Rules: everyone must follow the laws, including governments

 title is given to the person who leads the political party which forms the government?

prime minister

Which kind of voting system is used for elections for the House of Representatives?

Preferential Voting System

two differences between democracies and dictatorships?

Democracy - voted by citizens, people are allowed to have a say/freedom of speech

Dictatorship - one person/small group have power, freedom of speech and media is limited and restricted

 bi-cameral

2 house of parliament

List three features of a country that practises absolute secularism.

no official religion - government doesn’t favour or support any religion

separation of religion and state - laws are made without religious influence

freedom of religion - people can follow their own religion

List three features of a country that practiced theocratic rule.

Religious leader holes power - the government is run by religious authorities

Laws based on religion - legal system follows religious teaching

Limited religious freedom - citizens are expected to follow the countries religion