Separation of Power
The document that outlines Australia's separation of powers.
The constitution.
Define federalism
The division of sovereignty between one national government and two or more regional governments.
Governments must maintain this to stay in power.
Confidence of the lower house.
What is a democracy?
A system of government where people govern themselves.
The concept that ministers are held accountable for their own actions.
Individual Ministerial Responsibility
The name for the term that determines what cases are heard by which courts.
Jurisdiction
Australia's system is often called a blend of which two systems?
Westminster and Washington
The three branches of the separation of powers.
Legislature, Executive and Judiciary
The collective name for the powers wielded only by the national government and one example.
Exclusive
The governor general must act on the advice of who?
The Ministers
What is a representative democracy?
A system where people elect others to represent them in government.
The convention that hold the ministry responsible for government performance.
Collective ministerial responsibility
The name for the system of law created by court decisions.
Common Law
The process to change laws in the constitution
Referendum
Describe why Australia's separation of powers is not complete.
The executive sit and act as part of the legislative body and are responsible for introduction of bills into parliament.
The name for the powers wielded only by the States and one example
Residual
When confidence is lost in a government, this type of voting motion may happen.
A no confidence motion
What is a liberal democracy?
A democracy that ensures the equality of political rights and freedoms while also promoting political participation.
The convention that ensures the ministers function as a unit.
Cabinet secrecy and solidarity
The purpose of appeals
Holding lower courts accountable and improve access to justice.
The term for dual chambers of legislation making bodies.
Bicameralism
Describe how the judiciary is kept independent.
Judges can only be removed by the legislative on proven grounds of incapacity or misconduct (s72).
Equality before the law ensures that the law applies to everyone equally, allowing the judiciary to make rulings on misconduct of politicians without interference.
The judiciary has the ability to interpret and apply the law outside the bounds of the legislatures intention.
The name for the powers wielded by both state and national governments and an example.
Concurrent
Name two reserve powers a governor-general has that fall outside of ministerial advice.
Removal or appointment of Ministers.
Dissolve or refuse to dissolve the HoR.
Withhold assent to bills.
What is a constitutional monarchy?
A system of government where the head of state is a monarch and has their powers limited by written and unwritten rules.
The name of the process that happens when a minister has acted in an unacceptable manner.
Censure motion
A decision handed down by a higher superior court becomes what?
Precedent
The name of the Westminster Convention that ensures public servants are responsible to their minister who is then responsible to the parliament.
Chain of Accountability
Outline the three distinct parts of the Executive.
The constitutional executive made up of the King, Governor General and FEC.
The Political executive made up of the PM and the Cabinet.
Administrative executive made up of the public service.
How are disputes between state and national powers decided?
By the ruling of the High Court
In Australia, when is the only time reserve powers have been used?
1975 Crisis.
Explain the concept of Sovereignty
Sovereignty refers to the right and ability to govern an area that is vested in rulers of territories. It gives them the political and legal power to govern that specific territory
The expectation upon a minister if they cannot agree with a decision of cabinet and publicly support it
Resignation
List the court hierarchy for WA
High Court
Supreme Court of appeals
Supreme Court
District Court Family Court
Magistrates Court
Name the two most common sources of law in Australia
Statute Law and Common Law