Civics and Citizenship Test

coroner's court criminal cases

crimes involving arson and unexplained, violent deaths

define 'bicameral'

having two branches or chambers in a system of parliament

define 'coalition'

an alliance for combined action

a temporary alliance of political parties forming a government

define 'demonstration'

a public meeting or march protesting against something or expressing views on a political issue

define 'electorate'

all the people in an area who are entitled to vote in an election

define 'government'

the governing body of a nation, state, or community
government is formed by the party with the most seats in lower house of parliament

define 'parliament'

an assembly of the representitives of a political nation, often the surpreme legislative authority

define 'petition'

a formal written request, typically signed by many people, appealing to authority with respect to a particular cause

define 'political party'

an organisation that represents a particular group of people or set of ideas

define 'preferential voting'

a voter is able to indicate and order of preference for the candiates on the ballot paper

define 'separation of powers'

the division of power among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government

describe australia's democracy

a representative democracy where voters elect candidates to carry out the business of government on their behalf.
all australian citizens over 18 must vote in elections

what is the role of constitution in australia and when was it formed

the constitution of australia defines the systems and rules for the government
the constitution of australia was written in 1901

what are the eligibility requirements of voters in commonwealth and victorian elections?

- you are an Australian citizen or eligible british subject

-aged 18 years and over

-have lived at your address for at least one month

What are the five rights listed in the Australian Commonwealth Constitution?

1. right to trial by jury for certain offences --> alleged offender have the right to trial their case by jury

2. some protection of freedom of religion --> the right to voice religious beliefs and to be able to leave and convert religions

3. implied right to freedom of political communication --> voters have the right to exercise free and informed. choice

4. the right to be paid a fair price if the government compulsorily acquires your property --> if the government needs your property for a project, they will need to accquire to property from owner's for a fair price

5. prohibition of discrimination on the basis of State of residency --> you cannot be judged by where you live

what are the names of the lower houses in the commonwealth and victorian parliament

federal- house of representitives

state- legislative assembly

what are the names of the upper houses in the commonwealth and victorian parliament

federal- senate

state- legislative council

what is the title of the crown representitive for commonwealth and victorian parliaments

federal- Govenor General
David Hurley

state- Govenor
Margaret Gardner

number of members in the lower houses in commonwealth and victorian parliaments

house of reps- 151

legislative assembly- 88

number of members in the upper houses in commonwealth and victorian parliaments

senate- 76

legislative council- 40

Title given to leader of government for commonwealth and victorian parliament

federal- Prime Minister

state- Premier

what is the role of the high court?

the hearing of appeals against decisions of other courts- appeals to high court will only be permitted if case concerns important legal or constitutional issue.

only court with to hear cases involving interpretation of commonwealth constitution

process of a bill to become law

1. goes through readings in the house of representitives and it is debated on

2. if passed it will then go onto the senate where it will be debated

3. the govenor general signs the bill on behalf of the crown

what is the role of the courts?

to determines disputes about matters concerining legal rights and obligations

what are the names of the federal courts

- high court of australia
- federal court
- family court

what are three advantages and diadvantages of demonstrations?

Advantages:

- raise awareness for an issue

-can alter the agenda of the parliament

-start a debate

Disadvantages

-can get violent

-can lead to arrests

- lack of attention (peaceful demonstrations)

three advantages and disadvantages of petitions

Advantages:

- simple way to get something changed

-can be very effective

- low cost

Disadvantages:

- government does not have to listen to petitions

-some people might sign them and not know what they're signing for

- hard to get a lot of signatures (time consuming)

three advantages and disadvantages of voting

Advantages:

- citizens can have a say

-make a change

- can form stronger connections with comunity

Disadvantages:

- uneducated people can influence country with their vote

- expensive to run vote

-people can dummy vote

three advantages and disadvantages of using the media

Advantages:

- can reach a lot of people

- can be very effective

- cost efficent

Disadvantages:

- can be overlooked

- people can become to 'immue' the the issue being raised

- can take away from the main message being sent

responsibilities of federal government

-currency
-defence
-marriages
-medicare
-customs, immigration and border protections
-australian citizenship

responsibilities of state government

-primary and secondary education
-health services
-water
-electricity
-public transport

magistrates civil cases

civil matters up to 100k
eg. debts, claims for damages, etc.

magistrates criminal cases

minor or summary offences
eg. offensive behaviour, traffic, bail, etc.

county civil cases

civil cases with unlimited money

county criminal cases

more serious cases, not as serious as murder, also hears appeals from lower courts against conviction
eg. trafficing, sex offences, robbery

surpreme civil cases

most serious civil cases with unlimited money

surpreme criminal cases

most serious criminal cases
eg. murder and treason

family court civil cases

civil cases include; divorce, child custody, property, etc.

family criminal cases

violent family disputes
eg. domestic violence

high court civil cases

appeals from state courts
eg. constitutional rights

high court criminal cases

appeals from sate courts
eg. native rights

children's court civil cases

family division- children under 17 who are in need of care --> protection applications

children's court criminal cases

hears cases where defendant is 10-18 years old and of a non-serious nature of offence like murder

coroner's court civil cases

doesn't hear many civil cases

what is the role of the crown?

the governor general(federal)/ governor (state) oversee the workings of the government of the day to ensure that it acts within the boundaries of the constitution, and act on behalf of the crown

what is the role of the lower house?

the lower house's main role is the consideration and passing of new laws and changing existing laws

what is the role of the upper house?

national laws are made and changed by debating and voting on bills approved by the house of reps

what are the names of the state courts?

- high court of australia
-surpreme
-county
- coroner's court
-magistrates court
-children's court

responsibilities of local government

-local infrastructure (roads, footpaths, drainage, waste collection etc.)

-recreational facilities (parks, libraries, swimming pools etc.)

-aged care facilities

-child care facilities