Law and Order CAT

The influence of interest groups, like the RBTU on the government

Interest groups are organisations that influence government without running for office. They influence through campaigns, lobbying, petitions, donations, (funding political parties), protests and strikes. Types include political, economic, social, environmental (greenpeace). RBTU's main focuses: transport safety, fair working hours, better wages

Difference between the House of Representatives and the Senate in Australia's parliament

The House of Representatives is the lower house at federal level. It has 151 members, each representing a geographical area (electorate). Members of parliament are elected by the public for a 3 year term. The House of representative's role is to introduce and pass new laws. The Senate is the upper house at federal level. it has 76 members, 12 from each state and 2 from each territory. The senate acts as a house of review, scrutinising laws passed by the House of representatives and ensuring the interests of the states are represented. Both the House of Representatives and the Senate can amend, pass, or reject bills.

The role of the prime minister, premier, cabinet, shadow/opposition, governor general, and governor

Prime Minister (federal) - Head of government, leads the executive branch, leader of the majority party in the House of Representatives, appointed by the Goveror-General but needs majority support.
Premier (state) - Head of government at a state level Cabinet - Group of senior ministers chosen by the Prime Minister, help the Prime Minister make imortant decisions on important issues. Opposition/shadow - Provides alternate policies to the government, holds the government accountable, takes over if the opposition wins.

Governor General - King's reperesentative at federal level, provides royal assent on bills.
Governor - King's representative at state level.

Process of a bill

1) In a cabinet meeting, the PM and senior ministers decide which bills they want to introduce to parliament
2) The bill is introduced at a first reading at the House of Representatives, then debated at a second reading vote, then third reading vote occurs.
3) The bill is passed to the Senate, where it goes through a first reading, second reading vote, and third reading vote
4)The bill is passed to the Governor General, who provides royal assent

Compare Australia's, New Zealand's, and North Korea's government

Australia is a representative democracy, meaning citizens elect delegates to represent them in parliament, it has a multi-party system, with major parties like Labor and Liberal-National Coalition. It has separation of powers (J, E, P) and protection of rights. We can learn the importance of freedom, accountability, participation and how law ensures justice and protects rights from Australia's government.

North Korea is a dictatorship, meaning one person possesses absolute power without effective constitutional limitations. Power is concentrated in the Workers' Party of Korea. Parliament doesn't challenge the leader, and the leader's power controls law, media, economy, military. We can learn the danger of unchecked power and lack of freedom, and how fear and censorship can suppress a whole population.

New Zealand is a parliamentary democracy witha multi-party system. It has a stronger recognition of Maori rights, with dedicated Maori electorates and seats in parliament. The treaty of Waitangi serves as a foundation for government-Maori relations, unlike Australia's delayed constitutional recognition of Aboriginals.

The purpose of the Australian Constitution, advantages and disadvantages.

The Australian Constitution sets out the composition of Australia's Government. It took effect on January 1, 1901, creating the commonwealth as a federation. Its main aims were to unify the six british colonies, provide a better defence for the nation, and allow flexible law making.
Advantages include a democratic system, stable government, protection of legal rights, and referendums allow to make amendments over time. Disadvantages include difficult to change, only 8/44 refernedums have been successful, outdated values, and power struggles between the federal and state governments.

Term

Define referendum, provide examples.

A referendum is a compulsory national vote where everyone on the electoral roll must vote to change the constitution. The double majority rule is a majority of voters nationally and majority of votes in 4 or more states. In 2023, a referendum was held to enshrine the voice of the First Nation's people into the constitution, however it did not pass since 60.7% of the nation voted no, and all six states voted no.

The concept of separation of powers, and division of powers.

Separation of Powers: A principle established by the constitution to prevent abuse of power. Judiciary (power to make judgements on law), Executive Government (power to put law into action), Parliament (power to make and change law).Division of Powers: Distribution of law-making responsibilities Federal Government, State Government, and Local councils.

Difference between rules and laws.

Rules are guidelines on how you should behave in certain places (e.g: school, office, home). Laws are official rules made by the government that everyone in society must follow, otherwise facing legal consequences. They are written down, apply to everyone and are enforced by police and courts.

Voting system in Australia

Voting is compulsory for every citizen over the age of 18, failing to vote results in a fine if without reason. Australia uses a secret ballot system to cast votes in private, preventing intimidation and ensuring fairness. Election days are normally on saturdays to make it easier for citizens to vote. House of Representative elections use preferential voting, where voters rank/number candidates in order of preference. The senate uses a proportional voting system, where seats are awarded based on the proportion of votes each party receives. Voters can choose to vote above the line (selecting a party), or below the line (ranking individual candidates).

Define responsible government, legislative assembly, legislative council, constitution, global citizenship

Responsible government - The party in power must have the support of the majority in the house of representatives to stay in office. This ensures the government remains accountable to the parliament, working along separation of powers to guide the way in which laws are made and changed.

Legislative assembly - Lower house at state level

Legislative council - Upper house at state level

Constitution - A set of rules that outline how a country is governed.

Global citizenship - Participating in society to improve the community, government or social conditions.

Define political party and examples

A political party is a group of people who share similar beliefs, values and goals about how the government should run. They work together to gain political power and form government. They propose policies on issues like the economy, healthcare, education, to represent the interests of different groups in society. ALP is a major party that focuses on workers rights, social justice, healthcare education, climate

Australia's role in Foreign Aid, Peacekeeping, and the UN

Asia-Pacific Region: Provides development aid ($4.5 billion in 2023) to countries like Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and the Pacific Islands.Funds health programs, including COVID-19 vaccine distribution in the Pacific. Assists with disaster management, such as sending aid after Cyclone Gabrielle in New Zealand (2023).

Global Engagement: Peacekeeping, deploys personnel to UN to places like Sudan and the Middle East. Human rights, advocates for gender equality and indigenous rights at UN forums

How does media influence the public's perception and knowledge of the government?

Informing Citizens, supporting accountability of the givernment through investigative journalism, and encouraging Political Participation

What is an election?

An election is when Australians vote for

people to represent them in the Senate and

House of Representatives in the Australian

Parliament.

What is the AEC (Australian Electoral Commission)?

The AEC maintains an impartial and

independent electoral system for eligible

voters through active electoral roll management and efficient delivery of polling

How are leaders chosen in Australia and North Korea?

Leaders in Australia are elected using electoral rolls, whereas in North Korea elections exist but only one candidate is allowed (Kim Jong Un) And it is inherited power.

What are the rights in australia compared to North Korea for citizens?

In Australia citizens are given the right to vote, right to freedom of religion, freedom of speech, and have protected rights, whereas in North Korea elections exist but only have one candidate, and speaking against the leader can result in imprisonment or death, religious activity is tightly controlled or banned, and only rights enforced by the regime are protected, so there are no real protection for rights.

What is the difference in access to justice in north korea and australia?

In australia, there is a presumption of innocence, and legal representation, public defenders are available, and there are laws to prevent discrimination whereas in North Korea there are often no trials or quick proceedings, lawyers exist but act on government orders, and discrimination based to loyalty to the regime is common.

What are human rights?

Human rights are fundamental rights and freedoms to which all people are entitled, regardless of nationality, ethnicity, gender, religion, or any other status.

What do checks and balances do?

hecks and balances ensure no one branch of government becomes too powerful.

What are the five express rights? (rights explicitly stated in the constitution)

he five human rights explicitly stated in the Australian Constitution include, the right to acquisition of property on just terms, the right to a trial by jury for commonwealth indictable offences, the right to interstate trade and commerce, the right to freedom of religion, the right to not be discriminated against based on your state of residence.

What are implied rights?

Implied rights is an entitlement that is not specifically stated in the constitution. However the High Court has ruled it is intended to exist based on their interpretation of the meaning of the words written in the Constitution.