State and Federal Governments

NSW and Victoria have more elected representatives in the lower house because:

• They have larger populations.

• They have more land area.

• They have more industries.

• They have more natural resources.

Why do we have even numbers for each state in the Senate?

• To ensure equal representation

• To balance the number of senators

• To follow historical precedent

• To simplify the voting process

Define the term ‘Westminster parliamentary system’ (1 Mark)

• A democratic system of government modeled after the politics of the United Kingdom

• A type of government where the president is the head of state

• A system where the judiciary has supreme power

• A form of direct democracy practiced in ancient Greece

The Australian Commonwealth Parliament was established in 1901 because:

• To unify the separate colonies into a single nation

• To establish a new monarchy

• To create a new economic system

• To expand the British Empire

Identify three ways the Crown is represented in the Australian system of government (3 Marks)

• Through the Governor-General, the State Governors, and the Royal Assent to legislation

• Through the Prime Minister, the Parliament, and the High Court

• Through the local councils, the federal police, and the military

• Through the political parties, the electoral commission, and the public service

Outline the role of the governor general (2 Marks)

• The governor general represents the monarch.

• The governor general is the head of the government.

• The governor general is responsible for making laws.

• The governor general is the chief justice.

Australia’s government is based upon which two principles?

• Democracy and Rule of Law

• Monarchy and Theocracy

• Oligarchy and Autocracy

• Anarchy and Communism

Explain why judges may not be elected as members of parliament and serve in the government. Make reference to separation of powers (4 Marks)

• To maintain judicial independence and avoid conflicts of interest

• To ensure judges have legislative experience

• To allow judges to participate in government decision-making

• To provide judges with additional income sources

What is a liberal democracy?

• Liberal democracy is where the liberal party is always a type of party.

• Liberal democracy is a form of government that emphasises the separation of powers and is conservative.

• Liberal democracy is a form of government that emphasises the separation of powers and independent judiciary.

• Liberal democracy is a form of government that emphasises an independent judiciary and is left leaning.