Civics and Citizenship Study

Upper House

Senate - red

Lower House

House of Representatives - green

Parliament

The nation or state law-making body that is made up of elected representatives in both the upper house and the lower house with a head of state. In Australia the national parliament is referred to as the Commonwealth or Federal Parliament

Judicial branch

The part of the government responsible for interpreting and applying the law

Legislative Branch

The part of government responsible for making and changing laws

Executive Branch

The part of government responsible for implementing and enforcing laws

Government

The elected members of parliament who make decisions for a nation or state. The government is made up of a party or coalition that has one a majority of seats in the lower house.

United Nations

An international organisation created to promote peace, security and cooperation was formed in 1945 after World War II

Federation

The establishment of a system of government one with central parliament to make laws for the nation with numerous state parliaments to make laws for the state

Separation of Powers

Legislative, Executive, Judicial; prevents one part having too much power

Democracy

A system of government in which the people have the power to determine how they will be ruled or managed and so elect a parliament to make and implement laws on their behalf.

The Australian Constitution

First came into effect January 1, 1901

Bill

proposal for a new law or a change to an exisiting one

Security Council Members

5 core: USA, China, Russia, France, UK. 10 rotated

Human Rights

No one can take your human rights away although all rights come with responsibilities

Australia’s Role in the UN

One of the founding members and one of the ten rotating members of the security council.