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CIVICS AND CITIZENSHIP - Coggle Diagram
CIVICS AND CITIZENSHIP
CONCEPTS
DEMOCRACY- A democracy is a system of government run by the people, for the people. People over the age of 18 are required to vote in state and federal elections. It is optional to vote in local elections.
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REPRESENTATIVE DEMOCRACY- this is where representatives are elected to make laws on out behalf. Australia is a representative democracy.
DEMOCRATIC VALUES-
RESPECT- this is treating others with consideration and valuing their views, beliefs and rights.
EQUALITY- rights and privileges of all, without discriminations based on gender, race, religion, age, sexual orientation or level of education. All citizens have the right to the same opportunities.
FAIRNESS- all people are treated fairly, or without injustice, and given equal opportunity. This is also known as a "fair go" in Australia.
FREEDOM- rights, privileges and responsibilities for all without interference, or control from other citizens or the government.
THE WESTMINSTER SYSTEM-
A PARLIAMENT- consisting of 2 houses. The house of Representatives and the Senate. This is elected by the people to make laws on their behalf. Citizens vote for members of parliament in free, and fair elections. All laws must be passed by over half of the representatives in both houses.
A SOVEREIGN- this can include: a King, Queen or Governor general. The position is to act as head of state and holds the power to give final approval to all laws made by the parliament. This person also has to represent the country at national and international events.
JUSTICE- people should treat eachother in a manner that is fair and balanced for all. One of the key features in Australia's system is to deliver justice to all.
PARTICIPATION- good citizens take part in society in ways such as: voting in elections, serving on a jury and paying taxes. People who do this, are rewarded in living in a society where they have representatives to see their views and beliefs.
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POLITCAL PARTIES- political parties are groups of people who share similar ideas about how their country or state should be run. Their are two that dominate: Labor and Liberal.
MAJOR PARTIES OVERVIEW-
LABOR
- Australia's oldest political party
believes that the government should play a strong national role
- strives for a fairer Australia for all workers and all citizens
- the party has tried to close the gap between rich and the poor This is so that the wealth is more evenly distributed.
LIBERAL:
- believes in the power of the individual and business to make their own choices and prosper.
- strives for less government control and interference
- the Liberals and the nationals join forces at the federal level so they can have enough members to form government
NATIONALS:
- represents the interests of those Australians that lie outside the cities in country Australia
- believes in strong local communities, referring to themselves as the "local champions".
THE ROLE OF INDEPENDENTS:
- not all members belong to a political party, these members are called independents
- some may have belonged to a political party were dissatisfied
- they play a powerful role in parliament, particularly if the major party relied on their vote to pass important laws
SHAPING AND DEVELOPING POLICY:
- political parties help develop policies we hear about at election time
- this is also called a party platform, which sets out the parties goals in order to appeal to voters
- the political party that wins the election and forms government, must put their policies in action
WHAT SHAPES GOVERNMENT POLICY?
- media discussion about the policy
- international reaction to the policy
- the principles and objectives of the political party in office - voter opinion
- minor parties the government may have to negotiate with parliamentary scrutiny
- economic necessity, policy cost and affordability
- views of leaders such as the PM
- interest groups such as welfare organizations and businesses
THE ANIMAL JUSTICE PARTY
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WHY IT WAS SET UP:
- they think their is to much animal cruelty in the world and that it needs to stop
- a better life for all
- to punish people who do this
MAIN AIMS AND GOALS:
- ending animal cruelty
- ending animal suffering
- increasing sentences for convicted animal abusers
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THE LIBERAL PARTY
ESTABLISHED- the Liberal party was established on 16th October 1944. Founder, Robert Menzies, former PM (1939-1941).
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MAIN AIMS AND GOALS:
- individual freedom
- free enterprise
- equal rights
- a lean government that has minimal interference in out daily lives
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HOW LAWS ARE MADE
PARLIAMENT- most laws in Australia are made by parliament. This is called statutory law. A parliament is a group of people elected by the majority of society to make laws on their behalf (democracy).
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Each state and territory has its own parliament to make laws for that specific state or territory. EG: driving and adoption laws.
COURTS AND JUDGES- judges make laws by setting a precedent. When a judge makes a decision about a dispute, the reasoning behind the decision creates a legal principal, or law that must be upheld by judges in other similar cases.
Judges can also make law through Statutory Interpretation. This means a judge may be called to resolve a dispute in which their is an existing legislation, but the wording is unclear.
RULE OF LAW:
- Our law apply equally to all individuals and organisations throughout Australia and must be upheld by all.
- The law can only be changed and enforced by those with the legal authority to do so.
TYPES OF LEGAL DISPUTES
CRIMINAL CASES:
-criminal cases are cases that involve an individual who has behaved in an unacceptable way, being charged by the police and receiving a sanction
-The accused, who has committed an illegal act that inflicts harm on another individual and or society, is prosecuted by the state or government.
-summary crimes are simple offenses which are generally heard in the Magistrates court. -indictable offenses are serious crimes that are generally heard in the high court, district and supreme court.
-cases which the accused is pleading not guilty to an indictable offense are generally heard before a judge and a jury of 12 people.
CIVIL CASES:
-involve private people or organizations fighting over an alleged breach of individual rights
-the party who believes there rights have been infringed
(plaintiff) takes the case to court in the hope of receiving a remedy to restore them, as far as possible, to the position they were in prior to the incident
-the most common type of civil remedy is a plaintiff being awarded a sum of money to compensate for their loss (damages).
TYPES OF CIVIL CASES
NEGLIGENCE- an individual claims they have suffered injury due to another persons failure to take reasonable care when their is a responsibility to do so.
BREACH OF CONTRACT- one individual believes another has failed to carry out the terms of a legally binding contract
DEFAMATION- a person believes they have suffered harm due to another person making a false statement publicly.
UNDERMINING JUSTICE
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TRIAL BY MEDIA
- media can spread information quickly in a way that can create the impression of a persons guilt before they have even been to court.
- a key principle is that the accused is innocent until proven guilty, members of a jury may be biased and think a suspect is guilty because what they have seen and heard in the media
- public opinion may also pressure them to find them guilty or not guilty.
CORRUPTION
- a form of dishonest or unethical behaviour that causes people to break rules for their own gain
- can include bribery
- we have independent and unbiased anti corruption agencies to investigate and punish those involved in the legal system.
- whistle blowers are people who are willing to come forwards and report this behaviour
COURT DELAYS
Delays in court may occur because of many reasons:
- lack of legal assistance for those who cannot afford a lawyer
- complex and time consuming court processes and procedures
- increasing number and complexity of cases being brought to court
Delays can increase costs, causing emotional stress and hardships, and reducing witnesses abilities to accurately recall their evidence
Sometimes people have to abandon civil cases because they cannot afford to pay the money that the legal system requires
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