Civics

Rule

Guideline created & enforced by a group or organisation that applies to those in the group or organisation

Law

Guideline created by the parliament or courts and enforced by the courts

Difference between Laws & Rules

• Created and enforced by different people

• Differing punishments, e.g. Jail vs infringement

Social Cohesion

A society where members work together for collective wellbeing.

How the government maintains social cohesion

• By creating and enforcing laws that protect rights, maintain order, and resolve disputes fairly.

• Treating everyone equally under the law results in more trust and stability within society.

Examples:

• Racial Discrimination Act - promoting equal, encouraging tolerance (made racial discrimination illegal)

• National Firearms Agreement - enhanced public trust & sense of safety (Gun control measures) 

• Marriage Amendment - fostered greater acceptance and inclusion (Legalise same-sex marriage) 

Democracy

A system of government where the people hold the power to make decisions, usually through voting.

Representative Democracy

A system where citizens elect officials to make political decisions on their behalf.

Freedom of Speech

The right for someone to express their views without censorship, restraint, or legal consequences.

Freedom of Assembly

The right to gather with others in order to express views, exchange ideas, or have peaceful protests.

Responsible Government

Means that the executive branch (government) is accountable to the legislative branch (parliament).

Separation of Powers

The division of government responsibilities into distinct branches to limit any one branch from having complete control

Purpose —>  Ensures the power held by our government is not wielded by one person or group. 

Federal Government

• Concerned with the running of and regulation of the whole country

• Have power over things in Australia such as Defence, Currency, and International Trade

• Includes the House of Representatives and the Senate

State Government

• Concerned with the running/regulation of the individual states and territories

• Have powers over things like Education, Public Transport, and Police.

Local Government

• Concerned with the running of and regulation of the electorates and suburbs across Australia

• Have powers over things like such as Rubbish Collection, Footpaths, and Sewerage

• In Australia there are 150 electorates and hundreds more councils

Constitution

The basic rules and principles that determine how a country or organisation is run

Australian Constitution

• Document that outlines how the country should be governed

• Includes both rights and responsibilities of the citizens

• Created/formed on January 1st 1901 (Date of Federation)

Before the Constitution

• Before constitution each state ran separately, causing a lack of consistency between states

• The states imposed taxes on each other, limiting trade between the colonies

• There were 3 different railway systems that had different rails, making trade and travel difficult

• In late 1800’s there was fear that separate colonies wouldn’t be able to defend themselves \

• ¾ of Australian population were born in Australia by the late 1800s, people felt more Aussie>British

Why the Constitution was created

• better consistency between states

• Increase economic growth by improving trade, banking, laws, & provide a common infrastructure.

• benefit from having only one united defence force

• Desire to minimise arrival of non-British immigrants 

What the Constitution Does

• Created a federal government system with 6 states under a national government

• Listed what laws the national Parliament can make

• Set up Parliament's structure (House of Representatives, Senate, plus the Crown)

• Established the High Court to settle disagreements about what the Constitution means

• Protected some basic rights by limiting what laws Parliament can make (like preventing laws that restrict religious freedom)

• Ensured Australia's parliament operates on democratic principles

Referendums

• Referendums = A vote where all citizens decide yes or no on one specific political question.

• The government can't change it on their own, they need approval from voters (thru referendum)

• Stops the government from changing the rules to give themselves more power

How to change the Constitution

Step 1. A proposed change must be approved by most members of both the Houses

Step 2. 2-6 months later, all Australians vote on the change. It needs a "double majority" to pass

Step 3. If it passes, the Governor-General gives final approval on behalf of the Crown.

Double Majority

• When more than half of all Australian voters must say yes

AND

• More than half the voters in at least 4 out of 6 states must say yes

Referendum Processes - Strengths

• Requires the support of the Australian public, which prevents a federal government from gaining full power

• A compulsory vote = the Constitution only changes if it has large support from the entire population

• The double majority rule makes sure that any change to the Constitution has strong support from both the whole country and most individual states

Referendum Processes - Weaknesses

• Australians have voted on 44 proposed Constitution changes, but only 8 passed

• Voters often vote "no" if they don't understand the proposal or aren't interested

• Changes rarely succeed unless both Labor and Liberal parties support them

• Often held during elections, so people focus on who to vote into government, not the constitution

Federation

a group of states with a central government but independence in internal affairs.

Infrastructure

the basic physical and organisational structures and facilities needed for the operation of a society or enterprise.

Tariff

taxes imposed by one country on goods imported from another country

Milita

a military force that is raised from the civil population to supplement a regular army in an emergency

Constitution Convention

A gathering where representatives write or change a country's constitution

Double Majority

• When more than half of all Australian voters must say yes

AND

• More than half the voters in at least 4 out of 6 states must say yes

Legislative Branch (Parliament)

• Made up of the House of Reps, the senate, the Prime Minister, and the Governor General

• Role is to make and change laws on behalf of the Australian people

Executive Branch

• Made up of the King (repped by Governor General), Prime Minister, and other Ministers

• Role is to put new law in action (Royal Assent, or announcement of new laws)

Judicial Branch

• At a Federal level it is made up of the High Court of Australia & other Federal Courts

• In the Victorian system, it is made up of Supreme, County, and Magistrates’ Courts. 

• Role is to interpreting and applying laws + making judgements about the law.

Exceptions to the Separation of Powers

• Australia does not have complete separation of powers (Ministers + Prime Minister are part of 2 branches)

• Because the Prime Minister and the ministers are found in the Lower and Upper houses, they are creating the laws in the Parliament and putting them into action in the Executive.

Purpose of Seperation of Powers

• To work with the principle of a ‘responsible government’

• Means that the party or coalition must have majority of support in House of Reps to stay in government

• Each branch of government is in place to ensure that no one branch or individual has all of the power.

Victorian Parliamentary System

• Bicameral System (2 houses)

• Includes the Legislative Assembly, and the Legislative Council

Legislative Assembly

• The ‘Lower House’

• 88 members from 88 districts (1 member per district)

• Members are voted for through preferential voting.

• The party that has majority of seats become the Government of Victoria (45+)

Legislative Council

• The ‘Upper House’, 40 members from 8 regions (5 per region)

• 5 candidates must get a certain amount of votes to be elected

• Aka ‘house of review’

• Don’t usually have majority of seats from the government

• To pass a bill, government must negotiate with the opposition + minor parties

Powers of the Legislative Assembly & Legislative Council

• Introduce bills and motions

• Debate, pass, amend, or reject bills

• Ask ministers about the Government’s decisions and actions

• Be appointed as minister (head of a department) or shadow ministers (opposition party)

• Raise issues on behalf of the people they represent

Premier of Victoria

• Head of Victoria’s government

• The leader of the party or coalition that has the support of majority of the Legislative Assembly

• Elected member of Parliament

• Chooses ministers and allocates portfolios (jobs)

• Heads the Department of Premier and Cabinet

• Reps the government at meetings, functions, and official ceremonies

Preferential Voting (Lower House)

1. Voters choose candidates on a ballot paper in order of preference

2. If who you voted for loses, your second preference gets counted

3. Continues until one candidate has over 50% of the votes 

How to fill out a ballot

• You must number EVERY box

• Your vote is invalid if you leave a box blank

Donkey Vote

 A vote intentionally made invalid

Proportional Voting (Senate)

• There are multiple candidates to fill the senate seats

• To win a seat, a senator must win a quota of first and later preferences

• Allows for a wider range of parties/independents to be elected to the Senate

Division of powers

refers to how authority is divided between different LEVELS of government. (Federal/State/Local)

Specific Powers

• constitutional lawmaking powers assigned to either the Commonwealth exclusively or shared between Commonwealth and states.

• E.g. Currency, Taxation, Trade and Commerce, Defence

Concurrent Powers

• Lawmaking powers for particular topics that are given to BOTH the Commonwealth & the States

• Both can make and change laws in these areas

• These are within the Specific powers as the Commonwealth can make laws in these areas. 

• E.g. Marriage, Taxation, Census and Data

Residual Powers

• Lawmaking powers for particular powers for particular topics that are given to the states.

• These powers are not included in the constitution

• E.g. Adoption, childcare, education, public transport, water & electricity

Parliament makeup

• Made up of the House of Representatives and the Senate

• The Governor General is a part of both the parliament & another sector of government.

• Because there are 2 groups repping us, it is called a bicameral system

Bicameral System

A parliament or legislative that is made up of two seperate houses

The House of Representatives

• The Lower House of the Australian Parliament

• 151 members representing a different geographical area in Australia

• Member’s roles include debating & voting on bills, examining issues in committees, and checking the government’s work.

• Where government is formed through elected representatives gaining 'seats'

• Party with majority of seats wins government

• If no majority: party seeks support from smaller parties/independents = Minority Government

Political Party

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

Purpose of a Political Party

Allows citizens to align with a representative that they identify with.

Social Media

• Your use of social media impacts the info you are exposed to 

• Liking, interacting, or even lingering on particular posts will adjust your algorithm

United Nations Involvement

• Australia is a part of the UN so we are committed to upholding the rights and responsibilities for the betterment of people.

• Australia is included in a number of treaties that ensure the protection of democracy like the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights

United Nations

• International organisation of 193 countries working together on global issues

• Promotes peace, security, human rights, and cooperation between nations

United Nations Involvement 

• Australia is a part of the UN so we are committed to upholding the rights and responsibilities for the betterment of people.

• Australia is included in a number of treaties that ensure the protection of democracy like the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights

Stage 1 of Lawmaking

Introducing the Bill

• The preston who has come up with or is representing the suggested law presents this idea in the form of a bill.

• It is read through by everyone in the house that the bill was presented to (The First Reading).

• More common for this to happen in the House of Representatives 

Stage 2 of Lawmaking

The Second Reading

• The person responsible for introducing the bill will discuss & explain the purpose/benefits of accepting the bill

• The house then debates the bill (can take a few weeks)

• There is a vote on the proposed bill. If most people say yes, then the bill will be taken to the next stage.

Stage 3 of Lawmaking

Consideration in Detail

• Allows for deep and thorough debate & discussion

• The bill may change in this section

Stage 4 of Lawmaking

The Third Reading

• The bill is discussed again with the house. 

• If they AGAIN vote yes, it will be handed to the Senate

Stage 5 of Lawmaking

The Senate

• The senate goes through the same process as the House of Representatives did.

• Includes stages 1-4

Stage 6 of Lawmaking

Royal Assent

• The bill is given to the Governor-General

• If they approve the bill, it will be signed off on and given Royal Assent

• It is now an Act of Parliament

Express Rights

• Written in plain language in different sections of the constitution

• Says that we have the right for something in particular

• In Australia examples include… Freedom of religion, discrimination between states, to vote, etc.

Implied Rights

• Wording could mean a variation of things but the meaning can be assumed

• E.g. Australia have the implied right to freedom of political communication

Australian Constitution In Protecting Rights - STRENGTHS

• Express rights can’t be changed without a referendum 

• All rights in the constitution are fully enforceable through the high court

• The high court interprets the meaning of the constitution so it can remain relevant over time.

Australian Constitution In Protecting Rights - WEAKNESSES

• Rights are difficult to change

• Very few rights are expressly protected by the constitution

• Expensive and time-consuming to take a case to the High Court

International Declarations

•  Non-binding agreements between countries that sets out the aspirations of the parties  mmmmmm                           to the agreements

• Often set out goals, values, or standards that countries say they will follow

• Important first step before countries make a treaty

International Treaties

• Legally binding agreements between countries/organizations. 

• Countries must follow treaty obligations and incorporate them into local laws. 

• Sets out rules & promises that the countries agree to follow

• Signed by governments and often need to be approved before they take effect

• Breaking a treaty can hurt a country's reputation and relationship with others

Bilateral Treaty

An agreement between 2 countries only e.g. Aus & USA making a defence agreement

Multilateral Treaty

An agreement between many countries e.g. The Paris Agreement on climate change

Social Change - United Nations

• Australia have been involved in the UN since 1947

• Through this, Australia has given >65,000 personnel, & are the 12th largest financial contributor

• Australia is protected with this connection through the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

• Reinforces our right to freedom of assembly and association, freedom from slavery.

How do we influence change?

1. Voting at elections

2. Demonstrations

3. Petitions

4. Use of the courts

Voting (Social Change)

• Most direct way individuals influence law-making

• Citizens shape which laws are introduced

• Elections send a message to government about the issues people care about most

Demonstrations/Protests (Social Change)

• Large groups of people gather to show their support or opposition to an issue

• Raise public awareness and attracts media attention, which pressures governments to act

Petitions (Social change)

• Written request signed by many people, asking Parliament to change a law

• Show the government that an issue has wide support in the community

• Can also be shared online to gather even more signatures

Use of Courts (Social Change)

• Individuals can challenge laws in court if they believe the law is unfair or breaches rights

• Court cases can set new legal precedents and force governments to review or change laws