Civics and Citizenship

Australian constitution

a document that describes the rules, or laws, that govern Australia and defines its structure, and its citizens’ rights

Bill

a proposed law

Democracy

system of government where people have power to determine how they will be ruled, and elect a parliament to make and enforce laws on their behalf

Executive

the branch of government responsible for approving laws and putting them into action; it is made up of the prime minister, ministers and governor-general

Government

group of elected members of parliament who make decisions for country, make laws, give services, manage economy

Judiciary

the branch of government responsible for uploading the rule of law, made up of the High Court and other federal courts

Legislature

the branch of government responsible for creating the law. It is made up of the two houses of parliament, the Senate and the House of Representatives

Parliament

the national or state law-making body that is made up of elected representatives in both the upper and lower houses with a head of state; in Australia, the national parliament is referred to as the Commonwealth or federal parliament

Representative democracy

a system of government where citizens vote for representatives to make laws on their behalf

Purpose of constitution

• To create and define the structure of the federal government.

• To divide powers between the federal and state governments.

• To establish roles and powers of the executive, legislature, and judiciary.

• To protect certain rights and freedoms.

• To provide a process for constitutional change through referendum.

Local Responsibilities

Rubbish, town building, local roads, parks and libraries, pet control, parking

State responsibilities

Education, healthcare, highways, police, housing, transport

Federal responsibilities

defence, immigration, trade, currency, marriage, tax

bicameral

2 houses of parliament

cameral

One house of parliament

House of representatives

(Lower House): Introduces and passes bills, forms government. 150 seats

Senate

(upper house) Reviews and debates bills, represents the states. 76 seats

Five Stages of Referendum

1- Bill, government decides on a change to the Constitution and writes it into a bill.

2- Committee, Both houses of Parliament must agree to hold a referendum.

3- writ, formal written order issued by governor-general to set dates for referendum

4- Case, voter’s are sent information about cases

5-vote, yes or no, To pass, most people in a majority of states and overall must vote “Yes

state opposition leader

Sussan Ley

Governor General

Sam Mostyn

Changing the constitution

bill introduced to parliament, must be approved by both houses, referendum, voters vote, if double majority change is made to constitution.