Civics and Citizenship
Concepts
Democracy
A system of government run by the people for the people.
Direct democracy: citizens meeting together to make laws for their society.
representative democracy: representatives are elected to make laws on our behalf.
Democratic values
respect: treating other with consideration and valuing their views, beliefs and rights.
equality: rights and privileges for all, without discrimination based on gender, race, sexuality, age, religion or level of education. All citizens have the same opportunity.
fairness: all people are treated fairly, without injustice. Given equal opportunity, known as a "fair go" in Australia.
freedom: rights, privileges, responsibilities for all without interference or control from other citizens or the government.
Comes from the Greek words demos (citizen) and kratos (rules)
Australia"s Political System + Government
Australia is a Liberal democracy.
Parliamentary democracy: Those who are elected to represent us meet at parliament where laws are changed or new laws are passed.
Australia's national parliament:
Federal or Commonwealth Parliament
Make laws that concern the whole country, like defence, immigration, and trade.
Upper house:
The Senate
Originally set up to protect the interests of the states
Each state should be equally represented regardless of its size
Each state has 12 senators, and ACT and NT have 2 senator each
They are elected to represent the interests of the state they belong to,
but they usually belong to a political party and will be influences
by party policy rather than state interests
Lower House:
House of Representatives
Australia is divided up into 150 geographical divisions known as electorates, or seats
Each electorate has roughly 94000 voters
One candidate is voted from each electorate
How Laws Are Made
Parliament
Most Australian laws are made by parliament
A parliament is a group of people elected by the majority of society to make laws on their behalf
The laws that are made by parliament are referred to as legislation, statutes or Acts.
Courts
Judges in higher courts can make laws
When a judge makes a decision to resolve a dispute, the reasoning behind their decision creates a legal principle or law that must be followed by judges in other courts when a similar case arises
Laws made by judges are known as common law.
Types of Legal Dispute
Civil Cases
Criminal Cases
Conflicts between individuals (or groups) over an alleged violation of individual rights
A person (called the accused) who has committed an unlawful act that causes harm to another individual and/or community is brought to court by the state or government.
The party that believes that their rights have been infringed (the plaintiff) brings the case to court in the hope of obtaining a redress that will return them to the position they had before the wrongdoing, as far as possible.
simple offences are minor offences commonly heard in the Magistrates Court. Indictable offences are serious offences commonly heard in higher courts, such as the District Court and the Supreme Court.
Types of civil cases
Negligence – an individual claim that they have sustained harm because of the failure of another person to take
reasonable care when it is an obligation to do so Breach of contract – one party claims that another has failed to fulfil the terms of a legally binding contract
Defamation – a person believes that they have suffered damage because of another person making false statements
Political Parties
Labor Party
- Australias oldest political party
-Believes the government should play a strong national role - Strives for fairer australia
-Tries to close the gap between the rich and the poor
Liberal
Believes in the power of the individual and business to make their own choices and prosper.
Strives for less government control.
Liberals and nationals join forces at federal level so they have enough power to form government
Government
Federal: currency, tax, immigration, medicare
State: water, police, prison, forestry
Local: dog control, street parking, swimming pools, town planning
Liberal Democratic Values
freedom of movement
freedom of election
freedom of religion
freedom of speech
freedom of assembly
Judges in higher courts, like state supreme court, high court of Australia can also make laws