Politics and Government - Yr 9 -2025

Westminster System

• democratic system of government that originated in Britain

• executive branch ( cabinet) is drawn from and is responsible for the parliament.

• This system is the basis of our government in Australia, with the same roles and setup.

Australian Constitution

• foundational document that establishes the basic rules for the government,

• binds all levels of government and individuals.

• created the federal system in Australia, where power is shared between the Federal government and the state government

Bicameral Parliament

• consists of 2 chambers or houses. In the case of Australia,

• House of Representatives and the Senate or upper and lower house. 

Referendum

• It is a special vote where all Australians help to decide if the Constitution should change.

Preferential Voting (House of Reps)

• Voters number candidates on the ballot paper by preference (1, 2, 3, etc.).

• If the first choice doesn’t have enough votes, the vote goes to the next preference.

• This process continues until a candidate wins.

• Ensures all votes are counted and everyone has a say in government.

Separation of Powers

• A principle of goverment that divides the governmental authority into 3 branches Judicial, legislative and executive.

Presumption of Innocence

• Everyone accused of a crime is considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The prosecution must prove the accused’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

Equality before the law

• Everyone must be treated fairly and equally by the legal system, regardless of their race, gender, wealth, or status.

Right to representation

• Everyone has the right to be represented by either, a lawyer they hire, themselves or if you are not in the position to hire a lawyer, you will be assigned a lawyer by the government

Onus of proof

The responsibility of the prosecution to prove the defendant guilty.

Evidence

• For an accused person to go on trial the police must provide proof, such as CCTV, witness statements.

Right to appeal

• Either side can lodge an appeal if they are dissatisfied with their case.

• The case will then be taken to a higher court, the higher court will then assess the case and decide if the court made a mistake.

High Court

• Most powerful court in the judicial system in australia

• interpret the Constitution, settle disputes between states and the federal government, and hears appeals from lower courts.

• Its decisions are final and apply across the whole country

Supreme Court

• 2nd most powerful court in judicial system.

• Every state and territory has a supreme court they generally deal with serious criminal offences and big civil cases.

• Deals with appeals from the district court. Deals with cases like murder

Magistrates Court

• Lowest court in the australian judicial system

• deal with minor criminal offences and traffic offences.

District Court

• 3rd most powerful court in judicial system.

• Deals with serious cases such as armed robbery sexual assault.

• Deal with small civil cases and deal with appeals from the magistrate courts

Who decides when to call an election?

 What happens to parliament 3 years after its first meeting?

House of Representatives (Parliament) is automatically dissolved, unless it is dissolved earlier.

What does the Governor General issue to trigger an election process?

The governor general issues a writ (Formal legal document that starts an election)

Political parties and politicians begin…

Campaigning which includes 

• Interviews 

• Debates 

• Announcements of policies 

• Building a public appearance

 What mode does the government enter at this stage?

Caretaker mode which is keeping the country running without making any major decisions.

What day does the election take place?

Held on a saturday so everyone can vote

What is the role of the Australian Electoral Commission at the polling booths?

OSC

• Organise 

• Supervise 

• Count

. How is the outcome of an election determined?

The party with the most seats in the house of representatives forms government.

What must the winning party do to be commissioned?

They must do 2 things 

1. Win a majority of +76 seats 

2. The party leader is invited to the Governor-General’s residence and sworn in to form the new government.

The winning party in the House of Representatives assumes the role of...

Government

The most popular losing party in the House of Representatives becomes the...

Opposition

 What is another word for the ‘parliamentary power’?

the authority of parliament to change and repeal laws in australia.

What is the purpose of having a separation of powers?

• make sure not one branch has all the power.

• Produce a government that is has equally shared power

• ensure a system that has checks and balances 

Should a separation of powers fail, what might be a consequence?

• one branch becoming to powerful

• abuse of power

• lack of accountability

• threats to democracy

what are the Legislative?

 - Makes, changes, and repeal the law house of reps and the senate 

what are the Judicial?

Interrupts the law, judges

what are the Executive?

in force the law, cabinet, police 

What is the left wing

• left economic

• advocates for government intervention and regulation of the economy to achieve social and economic equality

Right wings

• right economic

• advocate for free market capitalism, reduced government intervention, and individual economic freedom

What is the progressive beliefs?

A ideology that moves for reform and improving the human conditions

What is the Convserative beliefs?

A ideology that preserves traditional values, beliefs and policies

what is a Authoritarian?

refers to a system where power is concentrated in the hands of a single leader or a small group

What is the House of Representatives?

• is members of an electorate representing there electorate in parliament

• Government vs Opposition

• minor parties form the crossbench

How many seats are there in the House of Reps?

150

what is the house of reps also referred to as?

lower house

What is the senate?

• reviews laws passed by the House of Representatives,

• represents the states equally,

• holds the government accountable.

• can approve, change, or block laws

• helps make sure decisions are fair and carefully considered.

how many seats are there is the senate?

76

What is the senate Referred to as?

Upper house

Fascist

far right wing ideology that emphasises

• dictatorship

• extreme Nationalism ( Intense pride and national superiority)

• Militarism ( Belief in strong military power)

• suppression of dissent (Forcing silence on opposing views)

Anarchist

Opposes all the forms of hierarchy and government

Libertarian`

Emphasis Individual freedom, minimal Government and free market

Communist

Advocate for common ownership of resources and production

double majority

a voting system that requires 2 separate majorities to approve a decision.

crossbench

Refers to members and senators that are not a part of the government or the main part of the opposition. they are generally independent or minor parties.

writ

a formal legal document that starts and election issued by the govener general

Absolute majority

having more than 50% of the total seats

Why is the crossbench powerful?

it is important because no single part holds an absolute majority, meaning the government and the opposition must rely on Minor parties and independents to support their ideas and help pass laws.

 balance of power

• happens when no single party has a majority

• smaller parties or independents (like those on the crossbench) decide the outcome of votes. Their support is needed to pass or block laws, giving them greater influence in Parliament.

Checks and Balances

Is a system in government where different branches have powers that limit each other presenting one branch from getting to powerful.