TERM 4 - CIVICS & CITIZENSHIPS
Key Words - Civics & citizenship examines a wide range of concepts to help understand the workings of Australia's political & legal system.
Political Parties - Political parties are made up of groups of people who share similar ideas about how their country or state should be run. In Australia, two political parties dominate: The Labour Party (ALP) & the Liberal Party. There are many others such as the Nationals & the Greens.
Federal Voting System - in Australia we use a preferential voting system. Meaning we give every one a vote that is apart of the election, but it is your first preference, second preference and so on.
Aims - The Primary aim of the two parties are to win the election. Each party puts forward their own candidates at election time; if a majority of those candidates win their lower house, seats, they are 'in power' & are able to form government. The Liberal Party & the Nationals often join forces in a coalition in order to form government together.
Justice - It can mean different things to different people depending on their culture, nationality & values. Like for some it might mean fairness, but in Australia, means that people should treat each other in a manner that is fair & balanced for all.
Participation - Refers to the way good citizens contribute or take part in a society. In Australia, we participate in society through things such as serving on a jury, paying taxes, or voting in elections.
Westminster System - It is a form of parliamentary government originating in the UK. Australia's system of government is based on the Westminster system. It includes the following features:
Democratic Values - The beliefs that are held by our society as a democracy. The values include respect, equality, fairness & freedom.
Rights & Responsibilities - The concept refers to our entitlement & duties as citizens. Our rights ensure we are able to have say in the way our country is run & are treated fairly in the process. Our responsibilities ensure we contribute to our society in order to keep it running & as a strong democracy.
Democracy - system of government in which the people have the power to determine how they will be ruled or managed. In most democratic societies, citizens are involved electing parliamentarians to represent their views.
Direct Democracy - Involves citizens meeting together to make laws for their society.
Representative Democracies - Where you elect representative to make laws on your behalf . Australia is a representative democracy.
Fairness - All people are treated fairly, or without injustice, and are given equal opportunities. Also known as a 'fair go' in Australia.
Respect - Treating others with consideration & valuing their beliefs, right & views.
Freedom - Rights, privileges & responsibilities for all without interference, or control from other citizens or government.
Equality - Rights & privileges for all, without discrimination based on race, age, sexual orientation, religion, gender or level of education. All citizens have the same opportunities as everyone else.
A parliament, consisting of two chambers or houses, is is elected by the people to make laws on their behalf. Citizens vote for members of the parliament in free & fair elections and all laws must be passed by a majority (over half) of the representatives in both houses.
A sovereign (such as a king, queen or governor-general) to act as Head of State & hold various powers including being required to give final approval to all laws made by the parliament.
Justice System - In Australia, when people break the law & are convicted by the courts it is said that they have been 'brought to justice'.
Some rights include: The right to vote, protection against acquisition of property on unjust terms, right to trail by jury, right to freedom of religion, protection against discrimination.
Some responsibilities include: Voting in elections, jury service, paying taxes, obeying laws.
Australia's Political System - Australia has a parliamentary democracy. This is because those who are elected to represent us meet at parliament. It is in parliament that laws are changed or new laws passed that affect all Australians.
Australia's National Parliament - In Australia, there's a national parliament that makes laws that concern the whole country such as defence, immigration & trade for the whole nation. It is sometimes called the Federal or Commonwealth Parliament & is situated in Canberra. Australia's Parliament consists of two sections referred to as the upper & lower houses of parliament, as well as the Governor-General (the Queen's representative in Australia).
Upper House - The upper house of our Commonwealth Parliament is called the Senate. When the Constitution was written, it was decided that each state should be equally represented regardless of its size, so the smaller states would still have a say. Each state is represented by 12 senators. The ACT & NT are represented by two senators each. Senators are elected to represent the interests of the state they belong to, but in reality they often belong to a political party & will be influenced by party policy rather than state interests. The Senate is the house of review - a house that checks what the government of the day is doing & holds it accountable for its actions.
Lower House - The lower house of our Commonwealth Parliament is called the House of Representatives. It follows that representatives are chosen from all over Australia to represent our views. In order to achieve this, Australia is divided up into 150 geographical divisions known as electorates, or seats. A political party or group of parties, known as a coalition, that wins a majority of seats in the lower house (at least 76 of 150 seats) will of won the election, and forms the government. It's a case of majority rule. The leader of the party that won majority of seats is called the Prime Minister.
Labour - Labour is Australia's oldest political party. They believe that the government should play a strong national role & strives for a fairer Australia for all workers. They also try to close gap between the rich & poor so that wealth is more evenly distributed.
Liberal - Liberal believes in the power of the individual & business to make their own choices & prosper. They also strive for less government control.
Nationals - Nationals represents the interest of those Australians that live outside the cities in country Australia. They believe in strong local communities, referring to themselves as the 'local champions'.
Types of Legal Disputes - The Australian legal system includes a range of bodies of institutions, known as courts, to resolve legal disputes that may arise between individuals & the government. These courts are overseen or presided over by independent magistrates & judges who are able to listen to both side of the dispute and make a fair & unbiased decision. These two types of legal disputes heard in Australian courts are criminal & civil cases.
Civil Cases - Disputes between individuals or groups over an alleged breach of individual rights. In civil case, the party who believe their rights have been infringed (plaintiff) takes the case to court in the hope of receiving a remedy that will restore them to the position they were in prior to the wrongdoing.
Criminal Cases - Those in which an individual (accused), who has committed an illegal act that inflicts harm on another individual and/or society, it is take to court (prosecuted) by the state government. If an accused is found guilty to committing a crime, they may receive a punishment or penalty, including monetary fines, imprisonment, etc.
Types of Criminal Cases - Criminal offences (crimes) are classified as being summary (simple) offences or indictable offences.
Summary Offences - Summary offences are minor crimes that are generally heard in the Magistrates' Court (local court in NSW). Common types can include theft, speeding, and minor unlawful assault.
Indictable offences are serious crimes that are generally heard in higher courts, such as the District Court & Supreme Court. These can include armed robbery, drug trafficking, serious sexual offences, dangerous driving causing death, and murder. Cases in which an accused pleads not guilty to an indictable offence are generally heard before the judge & jury of twelve persons. The jury determines the verdict as to whether the accused is guilty or innocent & the judge determines the sanction/punishment.