Regional Government and Global Citizenship

What is the difference between legal and non-legal rules? Provide examples.

Legal Rules: Enforced by the government (e.g., laws against theft, speed limits). Non-Legal Rules: Established by social groups and not legally enforceable (e.g., school rules, family rules).

Describe Australia’s federal structure

Divided into three levels—Federal, State, Local.

What is Federation in the context of Australia?

Federation refers to the unification of the six colonies into the Commonwealth of Australia in 1901.

Define the term "democracy."

Democracy is a system of government where the citizens exercise power by voting.

Describe Australia’s Parliamentary system.

Australia’s Parliamentary system is bicameral, consisting of the House of Representatives and the Senate. It operates under a federal system where powers are divided between the national and state governments.

Explain the role of the House of Representatives and the Senate.

House of Representatives initiates and debates proposed laws, representing the population. The Senate reviews legislation and represents states equally.

Compare the three arms of the separation of powers

Legislative: Makes laws (Parliament). Executive: Enforces laws (Government). Judiciary: Interprets laws (Courts).

Describe the division of powers in Australia.

The division of powers refers to the distribution of law-making powers between the Federal Government (e.g., defense), State Governments (e.g., education), and Local Governments (e.g., community services).

How do voting systems differ in the House of Representatives and the Senate?

House of Representatives: Preferential voting. Senate: Proportional voting.

Compare the key features of Australia’s and Japan’s systems of government.

Both have bicameral systems, but Japan's Prime Minister is the head of government, and the Emperor is ceremonial. Australia’s head of state is the British Monarch, represented by the Governor-General.

What are the steps in the progression of a bill through parliament?

Introduction and First Reading, Second Reading, Committee Stage, Third Reading, Senate (if applicable), Royal Assent.

Describe three steps of the progression of a bill through parliament.

First Reading: Introduction. Second Reading: Debate. Committee Stage: Detailed examination and amendments.

Distinguish between civil and criminal law with examples.

Criminal Law: Offenses against the state (e.g., murder). Civil Law: Disputes between individuals (e.g., breach of contract).

Describe criminal and civil law with examples.

Criminal Law: Theft, murder. Civil Law: Divorce settlements, property disputes.

Define Foreign Aid and explain how it works.

Foreign Aid is assistance provided by one country to another, often for humanitarian, economic, or political purposes. It can be bilateral (direct) or multilateral (through organizations like the UN).

Describe the two types of Foreign Aid with examples.

Emergency Aid (e.g. medical aid) and Development Aid (e.g. education, vaccines)

Explain Australia’s role in the United Nations.

Australia is a key player in the UN, contributing to peacekeeping missions, advocating for human rights, and participating in international diplomacy.

Describe the role of UN peacekeepers with an example.

UN Peacekeepers are deployed to conflict zones to maintain peace and security. Example: Peacekeeping missions in East Timor to ensure stability.

Name the main UN bodies involved in maintaining peace.

Security Council, General Assembly, International Court of Justice.

What is the difference between Statute Law and Common Law?

Statute Law is written and passed by a legislative body (e.g., Acts of Parliament), while Common Law is developed by judges through court decisions based on precedents.