Y9S2 - GAT/ACP: HASS --> CIVICS AND CITIZENSHIP REVISION

Government

The system or group of people governing an organized community, often a state. It is responsible for making and enforcing laws, providing public services, and ensuring the welfare of its citizens.

Opinion polls

Surveys conducted to gauge public opinion on various issues, often influencing government policies and decisions.

Major party

A political party that has significant electoral support and the ability to influence government policies and decisions, often competing for control of government.

Democratic values

Principles that uphold democracy, including equality, freedom, and justice, guiding the conduct of government and society.

Executive

The branch of government responsible for implementing and enforcing laws, headed by the President or Prime Minister.

Minor party

A political party with less electoral support than major parties, often focusing on specific issues and influencing the political landscape.

The Opposition

The political party or coalition that holds the second largest number of seats in Parliament, challenging the government and holding it accountable.

Representative democracy

A system of government where elected officials represent the citizens and make decisions on their behalf.

House of Representatives

The lower house of Parliament in Australia, where members are elected to represent the people and propose legislation.

Bicameral

A legislative system consisting of two separate chambers or houses, typically an upper and a lower house.

Proportional voting

A voting system in which parties gain seats in proportion to the number of votes they receive, allowing for a more accurate representation of the electorate's preferences.

Electorate

A geographical area represented by an elected official, where voters reside and participate in elections.

Democracy

A system of government in which power is vested in the people, who rule either directly or through freely elected representatives.

Preferential voting

A voting system where voters rank candidates in order of preference, allowing for more nuanced voting outcomes and ensuring that elected representatives have broader support.

Political party

An organized group of people with similar political ideologies and goals, seeking to gain power through elections and influence government policy.

Federal system

A system of government where power is divided between a central authority and individual states or regions, allowing them to govern themselves in certain areas.

Accountability

The obligation of individuals or organizations to explain their actions, accept responsibility, and be held answerable for their decisions and conduct.

Ballot paper

A slip of paper used to register a vote.

Legislative

Laws made by the parliament. Also referred to as Acts of Parliament or legislation.

Prime Minister

The head of government in a country, responsible for running the government and making important decisions.

Senate

The upper house of Parliament in Australia, where members represent states and territories, reviewing and amending proposed laws.

Coalition

Political parties that have united to achieve a shared goal (often being the task of accomplishing an ‘absolute majority’).

Parliament

The legislative body in Australia that makes laws. It consists of two houses: the Senate and the House of Representatives, where elected officials debate and decide on new laws.

Independent

Members of parliament who do not belong to a political party.

Member of parliament

An elected representative who sits in parliament and represents the interests of their constituents.

Senator

An elected member of the upper house of Parliament, representing a state or territory in Australia, responsible for reviewing and amending proposed legislation.

Media

Provides information and coverage on political issues, parties, and candidates, shaping voters’ views.

Public debate

Formal discussions where candidates present and defend their ideas, helping voters compare their choices.

Opinion polls

Surveys of people’s voting intentions, which can influence voter confidence and behaviour.

Advertising

Paid messages used by parties or candidates to promote their policies and persuade voters.

Interest groups

Groups representing specific causes or industries that try to influence policies and voters to support their interests.

Party loyalty

Long-standing support for a particular political party, often influencing voting decisions based on traditions or beliefs.

Examples of ‘major party’

• Labor Party

• Liberal Party of Australia

• The Nationals

Examples of ‘minor party’

• Australian Greens

• One Nation

• Centre Alliance

Examples of ‘independent’

• Kate Chaney

• Andrew Wilkie (Clark, Tasmania)

• Zali Steggal (Warringah, NSW)

• Helen Haines (Indi, Victoria)

Purpose of ‘major parties’

To form government and create policies that impacts the nation as a whole.

Purpose of ‘minor parties’

To influence policy, focus on specific issues, and can join coalitions with major parties.

Purpose of ‘independents’

To represent individual or local community interests without party lies.

Explain two reasons as to why someone may want to become an independent.

Two reasons as to why someone may want to become an independent includes the following factors; disagreement with party policies (if a member of parliament strongly disagrees with their party’s policies or direction, they may choose to leave the party and sit as an independent to better represent their own views and those of their constituents), & expulsion or suspension (a member of parliament might be expelled or suspended from their party due to misconduct or other reasons, leading them to continue serving as an independent.)

Provide two alternate names for the ‘House of Representatives’

• Lower House

• First Chamber

Provide two alternate names for the ‘Senate’

• Upper House

• Second Chamber

Recall the number of members for the ‘House of Representatives’

151 seats to represent each electorate; in which each electorate represents one member of parliament who have been elected by voters through preferential voting.

Recall the number of members for the ‘Senate’

76 seats to represent each ‘Senator’; 12 from each of the 6 states and 2 from each of the mainland territories.

What are the two roles of the government in Australia?

The two roles of the government in Australia include; the Legislative role and the Executive role. The Legislative role - the government is responsible for creating and enacting laws to maintain order, protect citizens’ rights, and address societal needs; based around legislation. The Executive role - the government implements and administers laws and policies; based around executive procedures.

Explain the ‘government’

1. Leader: Prime Minister - Anthony Albanese

2. Party: the party that formed the government was the Australian Labor Party (ALP).

3. Political values/beliefs:

• Economic justice (believing in a fair distribution of wealth and opportunities)

• Social equality (supporting gender and racial equality including Aboriginal and Torres Strait People)

• Public Welfare (emphasising importance of government involvement ensuring health-care, education, and social services)

Explain ‘the Opposition’

1. Leader: Leader of Opposition - Peter Dutton

2. Party: the party that formed the opposition was the Liberal Party of Australia AND the Nationals

3. Political values/beliefs:

• Liberal Party of Australia: Individualistic freedom, free enterprise, minimal government interference - emphasising the importance of a lean government that maximises private sector initiative and minimises bureaueratic red tape

• The Nationals: Focusing on interests of regional Australia, prioritising building stronger regional economies; ensuring secure communities, and promoting sustainable environments

Why might political parties in Australia form a coalition?

Political parties in Australia might form a coalition to achieve a majority in parliament, allowing them to form a stable government. This is often necessary when no single party wins enough seats to govern alone.

Knowing why political parties might form a coalition, please provide one benefit and one challenge of forming a coalition.

• Benefit: It can provide a broarder representation and more balanced decision-making

• Challenge: Managing differing party agendas and maintaining unity can be difficult, potential leading to internal conflicts and policy grindlock.

Provide more detail about the ‘preferntial voting system’ excluding the definition and diagram of ballot paper for the voting system.

• How are votes counted? 1. Voters rank candidates in order of preference on their ballot paper. 2. The first preference votes are counted, and if a candidate receives more than 50% of the votes, they are declared the winner. 3. If no candidate achieves a majority, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated, and their votes are redistributed according to the second preferences indicated on those ballots. This process continues until a candidate secures a majority.

• Benefits? 1. It allows voters to express their preferences more fully by ranking candidates, leading to more representative outcomes. 2. It helps prevent 'spoiler' candidates from affecting the election outcome, as second preferences can be considered. 3. It encourages candidates to appeal to a broader range of voters to gain second preferences, promoting a more collegial and cooperative political environment.

• Limitations? It can be more complex and time-consuming for voters to understand and complete their ballots compared to simple majority voting systems. 2. Counting votes can require more resources and take longer, leading to delays in announcing results. 3. It may lead to tactical voting, where voters rank candidates not in order of preference but to influence the outcome strategically.

Provide more detail about the ‘proportional voting system’ excluding the definition and diagram of ballot paper for the voting system.

• How are votes counted? 1. Party Vote Counting: Votes are tallied for each party based on the number of votes they receive across the electorate. 2. Quotas Calculation: A quota is established to determine how many votes are needed for a party to win a seat. This is often calculated using the total number of valid votes divided by the number of seats to be filled plus one, then adding one to the result. 3. Seat Allocation: Based on the number of votes each party receives in relation to the quota, seats are allocated to parties proportionally, ensuring that the distribution of seats reflects the overall vote share for each party. This method helps smaller parties gain representation and reflects the electorate's diverse political preferences.

• Benefits? 1. Fair Representation: It ensures that the distribution of seats reflects the actual vote share for each party, allowing smaller parties and diverse political views to gain representation. 2. Encourages Political Participation: Voters may feel that their votes carry more weight in a proportional system, encouraging higher engagement and turnout in elections. 3. Coalition Governments: It can lead to coalition governments, which may promote collaboration between parties and lead to more comprehensive policy-making by considering a wider range of interests.

• Limitations? 1. Complexity of the Voting Process: The system can be more complex, making it harder for voters to understand how to cast their votes effectively compared to simpler majority systems. 2. Possible Instability in Government: Coalition governments can lead to unstable political situations due to differing agendas, potentially resulting in frequent changes in leadership or policies. 3. Dilution of Accountability: Voters may find it harder to hold individual representatives accountable for their actions, as they are often part of a group rather than standing alone.

Define ‘conservatism’

A political philosophy that emphasizes the value of tradition, gradual change, and maintaining established institutions, often prioritizing stability and continuity over radical reform.

Define ‘socialism’

A political and economic theory advocating for collective or governmental ownership and administration of the means of production and distribution of goods, aiming for a more equitable distribution of wealth and resources.