Provides the rules for the governance of Australia.
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What does the federal Parliament have control over?
It is given responsibility for areas that affect the whole nation.
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The Parliament is made up of…
The monarch (represented by the governor-general), the senate, the house of representatives
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Seperation of Powers
The power that is shared between the federal and shared Parliaments
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What date did Australia become a federation?
January 1st 1901
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High Court of Australia
The High Court is the highest court in the Australian judicial system.
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Changing the constitution requires…
A referendum and a majority vote in at least 4 states
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How many changes have been made to the constitution?
8 successful ones
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Who was the first Prime Minister of Australia and when was he sworn in?
Edmund Barton, 1st January 1901
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What are the 3 levels of government?
Local, State/Territory, and Federal
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What are the main roles of the federal parliament?
1. Making and changing federal laws 2. Representing the people of Australia 3. Providing a place where government is formed 4. Keeping a check on the work of the government
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Who is the head of state?
The King
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Who is the head of state in Australia?
The governor-general, who represents the King
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What is the first body of the Parliament of Australia
The king as head of state, represented by the governor-general
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What is the second body of the Parliament of Australia
The senate
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What is the third body of the Parliament of Australia
The house of representatives
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What does the formation of government mean?
In the house of representatives, the MPs (members of Parliament) are aligned with certain parties (Liberal, Labour, Greens, Teals (independents)) and whichever has the majority will form ‘Government’. The government is faced with the opposition,
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What colour is the senate?
Red
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What colour is the house of representatives?
Green
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How does a bill become a law?
It is passed by a majority vote in the House of Representatives and the Senate. The bill must be agreed to in identical form by both chambers, and given Royal Assent by the Governor-General. It is then known as an Act Of Parliament.
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What shape is the senate and house of representatives
a horseshoe
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The bill goes through how many readings in the House of Representatives
The bill goes through 3 readings in the House of Representatives
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The bill goes through how many readings in the Senate
The bill goes through 3 readings in the Senate
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The purpose of a jury is…
To sit and listen in order to provide a less biased outcome for the case. They must be fair and impartial and deliver a verdict of guilt or innocence
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The role of the judge or magistrate is
To run the courtroom, listen to the arguments presented, and decide on the verdict or punishment, controls order in the court
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A prosecutor
Has to convince the jury that the defendant is guilty
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Lowest level of government
Local council
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The police
*Enforce* the laws
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The courts
*Interprets* the laws
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The House of Representatives
*Create* the laws
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Less serious offences are called
Summary Offences
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Civil law deals with
non-criminal disputes between individuals and organisations, punishments will usually be known as “seeking damages” and is monetary compensation
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Criminal law deals with
indictable offences and summary offences, punishments vary and can include fines, rehabilitation, and imprisonment
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The legislative assembly is…
The lower house of state parliament
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Why do we have laws?
1. Establish boundaries – which actions will / will not be tolerated, determines acceptable behaviour 2. Protection – from actions and behaviours that society cannot do, restricts individual freedom to provide safety for all in society 3. Freedom – tells people what they can do 4. Resolving disputes – to stop taking the law into their own hands, provides police courts and correctional centres to enforce and administer the law
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When was voting made compulsory?
1924
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When were men granted suffrage?
1901
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When were women granted suffrage?
1902
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When were Aboriginal Australians granted suffrage?