Civics and Citizenship

Representative Democracy

Citizens choose candidates to represent them in a parliament and decide on policies.

Key democratic principles

popular sovereignty, politcal participation, accountability

Constitutionalism

Uses written constitution to estabish the government and limit its power

The rule of law

Ensures everyone, follow same legal standards

Australia’s democratic foundations

Constitutional monarchy and a parliamentary democracy, king is head of state but governing power rests with elected representative.

Australian constitution

serves as foundational legal document, outlining the structure and principles of its government.

Popular sovereignty

governments power comes from its citizens. choose leaders through elections, ensuring government acts on people’s consent

Political equality

each vote counts equally, ensures fair representation

Universal suffrage

all adult citizens can vote regardless of wealth background etc.

Electorate

The different areas australia is divided into with a certain number of votersCh

Checks and balances

Each branch of gov checks each other, so they don’t abuse power, and power is balanced.

In Australia, we have:

•A system based on ‘liberal’ and ‘democratic’ ideals

•A monarch as Head of State .

•A Prime Minister as Head of Government.

•Elected representatives who represent the needs and values of their electorates.

3 separate but equal branches of government

The legistlature: making and debating laws

•Parliament makes and debates Australia’s laws.

•House of Representatives represents people; forms government

•Senate: represents states; reviews proposed laws

•Both houses ensure fair and balanced governance

The executive

Governing and implementing lawsW

Who is the executive lead by

Prime minister and the cabinet administers laws passed by Parliament

what does the executive manage

National affairs through government departments, implementing policis and delivering services

The Judiciary

Interpreting and upholding laws

Whos the Judiciary led by

High court

what does the Judiciary ensure

laws are constitutional, resolve legal dispute across federal courts

Separation of Powers

Government [ower divided into three brances- legislative, executive, judicial

Preferential voting

lets voters rank candidates in order. Used for elections like the HOuse of Reps and in states election. Winner has absolute majourity

How are votes counted

first preferences are counted, if no one has over 50%, votes get distributed, until someone gets over 50%

Why preferential voting

nearly every vote will count. can choose without wasting votes, helps ensure winner is supported by most.

Electoral participation

compulsory voting ensures high turnout, above 90

Indonesia’s written constitution

guides its representative democracy

5 principles of indonesia

Divinity, humanity, unity, deliberation, social justice

Structure of government in Indonesia

•According to the Constitution, the highest representative body at a national level is the People’s Consultative Assembly, also known as the MPR.

•The MPR has the power to impeach the President.

•The Constitution outlines the separation of power between the executive, judiciary and legislature.

Indonesia: Proportional representation

•Indonesians can vote for parties from lists.

•Non compulsory voting and this system led to many parties in parliament.

•This ensures diverse representation but often requires complex coalition building.

•The President is directly elected, separate from the legislature. This creates a clear distinction between the executive and legislative branches. (How is this different to the Australian executive and legislative branches?)

Indonesia: executive branch

citizens choose the president and VP for 5 years. president elected for max of 2 five-year terms. President nominates a cabinet

Legislative Branch: iNdonesia

Upper house- regional representative council. Lower house- People’s representative council

Highest level of judicial branch in Indonesia

Supreme court and constitutional court

Judicial Branch

Most civil disputed are heard before the state court with appeals being heard before high court

Other courts in Indonesia

Commercial court, State ADministrative Court, Religious Court

The supreme court- Indonesia

Highest court of the land and final court of appeal. Regulate aspects of administration of justice

Constitutional court of the republic of indonesia

Primary role- reviewing the constitutionality of Acts.

The high court of Australia

highest court in Australian Judicial system, established in 1901 Section 71. Seat of high court is in Canberra, offices in Sydney and Melbourne

Functions of high court in Australia

1. Interpreting the Constitution and keeping laws relevant.

2. Checks and balances

3. Protecting the rights of Australians

4. Final court of appeal

Interpreting the constitution and keeping laws relevant

• Interprets constitution based on founders original intent

• consider historical context, debates, dictionary definitions

• aims for judicial restraint, avoid personal views

  • ensures stability and predictability in legal rulings

Checks and Balances high court

Can make invalid any law that breaches constitution. can rule international treates or conventions signed by aus. impartial mediator between parties

Protecting rights of Australians- high court

Can rule whether or not rights are implied, interprets constitution to imply rights . ensures democratic processes function effectively, even without bill of rights

Important rights protected by high court

• Right to free trade between states

• Freedom of religion

• The right to trial by jury

• Protection against unfair acquisition of property

  • freedom from discrimination based on state residency

Example protecting religious freedom in Australia

Scientology, 1983

Final court of appeal

Most of high work, hearing of appeals against decisions in lower courts, those who wish to appeal must persuade court. decisions of the high court on appeals are final

Why is the role of the high court important

•It ensures that the law is applied correctly and consistently across Australia.

•By hearing appeals, it acts as a check on mistakes made by lower courts.

•Its decisions create legal precedents, meaning future courts must follow these rulings, making the law clearer and more predictable.

•It helps maintain fairness in the justice system by giving people a last chance to have their case reviewed.