Civics & Citizenship
6 Key Concepts
Rights & Responsibilites
Participation
Justice
The Westminster System
Democracy
Democratic Values
The Australian Constitution
The Australian Constitution was created on January 1st 1901, when the 6 British States came together to make one nation. The constitution is a book of rules used to govern Australia.
Three Levels of Government
State
Federal
Local
The state government is in charge of the whole state. For example, hospitals, ambulance services and waste disposal are examples of what the state government is in charge of.
The federal government is in charge of the currency, defence forces and quarantines.
Referendums
An example of an unsuccessful Referendum
The process of Holding one
What is a Referendum?
Stage 3: A writ is issued by the Governor General and he will set the dates ready for voting.
Stage 4: The case comities put together a formal statement and send it to every voter.
Stage 2: The House of Representatives and Senate Divide into the 'Yes' and 'No' comities
Stage 5: The Australian citizens vote either 'Yes' or 'No'. If a double majority is achieved in the results, the change is made into the constitution.
Stage 1: A Bill is proposed in Parliament, if excepted, they set out the changes.
A Referendum is a vote by the Australian citizens to change the Australian constitution.
An example of a successful Referendum
Australia's most successful Referendum was in 1967, when the Australian government decided to change a line in the constitution, 'except for the Indigenous people'. As it was successful, there was a double majority and 91% of people said 'yes', so the changes were made and the Indigenous people are counted in our population and are considered citizens.
Australia's most unsuccessful Referendum was in 1999, when it was asked if Australia wanted to become a republic or not. This meaning the Queen and Governor General would be replaced by a President. However the people weren't liking that they could not vote for the President so when results came in it was a strong no and didn't end up happening.
What is a double majority?
A double majority is when 50% of Australia says 'Yes' and 4/6 states have a high percentage to say yes.
Australia's Legal System
Purpose
Made up of
Make sure laws are to be followed
We receive justice
We are treated fairly
People who make laws
Organisation to enforce laws
Courts
Police
The local government is in charge of all the things in local area such as libraries, roads and footpaths.
Courts
Supreme Court
Magistrates Court
District Court
The Magistrate court is the lowest court and is used for minor criminal matters and civil disputes.
The District court is the intermediate court and is used for serious criminal matters and drug offences.
The Supreme court is the highest court and is used for the most serious criminal cases such as murder, drug trafficking. The decisions if the party is guilty or not is reviewed by the lower courts.
The Separations of Powers
Executive
Judiciary
Legislature
Legislature creates the laws in Parliament. Parliament house is is made up of two houses the upper house and the lower house. The lower house is Called the House of Representitives and has 150 members. The upper house is the Senate and has 76 senators.
The Executive is the administrator of the law. The Governor General is the representative for the Queen, he speaks for the queen and makes the decisions. The Prime Minister is in charge of the country under the Queen of course.
The Judiciary has the power to apply the law and is also in charge of the high court and other federal courts.