Yr 10 politics and law

seperation of powers

sharing the power of the government between 3 distinct equal arms that have a specific role. Judicary, exectuive, legislative. each branch has the ability to check and balance the other branches. stops one group from having to much power. e.g sports rorts - bridget mckenzie

rule of law

means no one is above the law/ everyone is equal under the law. including monarchs. put into place through the magma carter. prevents seizes of power.

free and fair elections

a voting system doesnt disadvantage anyone, and gives citizens the freedom to vote for whoever they want without coerion or fear of prosecution

accountable executives

executives in parliament are held accountable by the citizens for their actions, desicions and policy outcomes.

representitive parliaments

means that citizens vote in representitive to represent us in parliament

just and fair legal system

ensures equality before the law, providing impartial treatment and accessible justice for all citizens, free from discrimination. It protects rights, and applies proportionate punishments,

what is a democracy

a type of government were the power is vested in the people. meaning that the citizens get to have a say in government by voting etc. and it must reflect the values and beliefs of the society

what is the judicary (SOP)

the courts, have the power to make judgements on the law

what is the executive (SOP)

the government (albonese, king charles, governor general) have the power to put law into action (sign off on the law)

what is the legislature (SOP)

the parliment (house of reps/ the senate) have the power to make and change the law

checks and balances

checks are mechanisms put into place that allow branches of the government to veto/override the desicions of another branch when seemed unlawful. this allows the power of the government to remain balanced and in check and prevents abuses of power

what is the constitution

a legal document that provides a set of rules for Australia. seperates the powers of government to reduce corruption and abuse of power

what is a constitutional monarchy

a government that opperates with a constitution limiting the powers of the monarch to avoid corruption

what are safeguards to democracy

systems and values that protect democracy. they prevent governments abusing power. ensure fairness accountability and participation.

what are the checks and balances each branch has

Judicary - can decide legislative law or government decisions unlawful

legislative - proposes constitutional changes, make laws

executive - sign off on bills, appoints judges

3 principles which ensure Australias democracy is safe guarded

decentralisation of power, representation and participation, scrutiny and accountabiliity

decentralisation of power whats it shown through and an example

spreading power so that its no held by one single group, and spreading responsibility for decision making, between the levels of government (local, regional and federal)

seen through the division of powers, and the westmister system

and example is the bridget mackenzie case

what is the sports rorts case? and how is it an example of the decentralisation of power

when sports minister Bridget Mackenzie gave extra funding to certain sports clubs so they would vote for the liberal party. she had to resign from her positiom. example of the decentralisation of power because another executive group held her accountable

what is representation and participation and what its shown through and an example

makes sure people have a voice in parliament. makes sure that societys values are relected

shown through our representitve democracy, freedom of expression

example is the mabo case

what is the mabo case? how is representation and participation shown through the example

Eddie mabo, Torres strait islander man fighted for recogintion of indeginous land rights. the high court promoted the rights of indeginous australians by recognising the existance of native title in australian law. and ruled that indeginous australians have a native title to the land. an example of representation and participation because mabo participated in democracy by taking the case to the high court and now he is represented in the constitution as a traditonal owner

what is scrutiny and accountability and how is it shown in democracy

scrutiny is systems in place in a political system to provide checks and balances

accountability is a pollitical system where the elected respresentitive are held accountable by the people

checks and balances, high court

what is the love and thoms case and how does it show scrutiny and accountablility

2 men born outside of australia but identified as aboriginal australians were labeled ‘aliens’ under the constitution. because they werent official citizens they were threatened to be deported after committing crimes. high court ruled that they cannot be considered ‘aliens’ through the mabo precedent. high court held the government accountable and told them they cannot deport the men because they were aboriginal australian and had a connection to the land despite not having a legal citizenship

what is the safeguard of shared values

the government must share the values of its citizens to make choices fair and reasonable

what is the right to dissent within the bounds of the law

its the right to peacefully express disagreement, protest and advocate for change without violating legal statues

what are threats to democracy

Threats to democracy are processes, actions, or actors that weaken the pillars of democratic governance.

what is terrorism an example and how it threatens democracy

and action to explicitly cause fear and terror in society

the bondi shooting

threatens democracy because it creates fear and insequrity, challenges government response, makes citizens doubt our protection

what is digitalisation on media an example and how it threatens democracy

influence of online platforms on public opinion

fake news in the queensland elections

causes misinformation and distrust in the media causes us to question our democracy

what is distrust and indifference an example and how it threatens democracy

declinining faith in decomcracy and pollitical participation (not trusting the government and refusing to participate in democracy)

decline in australian voter turnout (decrease in the number of people actually voting)

when people disengage they undermine representitive governance allowing vested interests to gain influence and erode democratic values in society

what is vested interest/forgein interference an example and how it threatens democracy

groups influencing government policies for person gain.

goodman vs bryant case (about houses)

undermining public trust and challenging the integrity of decision making within australias political system