Civics and Citizenship 10

Democracy

A system of government that requires members of parliament to make laws for and on behalf of the majority of voters

Representative Democracy

A system of government that requires members of parliament to make laws for and on behalf of the majority of voters

Liberal Democracy

A system of democratic government where the rights of individuals are protected through law and minority groups are protected in society.

Separation of powers 

Legislative, executive and judicial bodies to provide a system of checks and balances 

Division of powers

allocation of law making powers to Commonwealth and the states determined at the time of federation, legislative powers are divided into exclusive, concurrent and residual. 

Federalism

A system of government where there is a legislative power sharing relationship between a national government and two or more state governments. This arrangement is determined by a constitution

Constitution

A set of rules or principles according to which a state or other organisation is governed

Preferential voting

A voting system in which the voter numbers their preferences for candidates. If no candidate receives more than half of the first preference votes, the next preferences of votes from the least successful candidates are distributed until a candidate is elected

Proportional Representation

An electoral system in which parties gain seats in proportion to the number of votes cast for them.

Referendum

The process set out in section 128 of the constitution to allow for the Constitution to be formally altered.

Exclusive Power

Law-making powers set out in the Constitution that may only be exercised by the Commonwealth parliament, such as coining money (s.115)

Concurrent Power

Specific law-making powers in the Constitution that may be exercised by both the Commonwealth and State parliaments, such as marriage (s.51, xxi) 

Residual power

Law-making powers that remain with the state parliaments after federation, such as health, education and criminal law.

Ratification

A process that legally binds Australia to implement a treaty

Peacekeeping

The active maintenance of a truce between nations or communities, especially by an international military force. 

Exclusive (div. of powers)

Specified and enumerated within the constitution and is exercisable solely and exclusively by the Commonwealth

Concurrent (div. of powers)

specified and enumerated within the constitution. Belongs to both the Commonwealth and States. 

Residual

Not specified or enumerated in the Commonwealth Constitution and therefore falls to the states

Westminster Conventions

• Government is formed by the party with majority in the lower house

• GG/Monarch must act on the advice of PM and Cabinet

• PM is practical Head of Government and appoints cabinet ministers.