U.S. Government
Politics
Law
Law II
HYPBA
Ms Ross Bonus
100
Which political party is associated with more conservative politics in the U.S.?
The Republican Party.
100
What is Australia's oldest political party, formed in 1891?
The Australian Labor Party
Bonus +300: Why is Labor spelt without a 'u' in their party name?
100
How many justices sit on the High Court of Australia?
+ Bonus 200 points: How many are female?
7 justices sit on the High Court.
3 are women.
100
Explain the difference between the roles played by solicitors and barristers in the court room/legal system.
Solicitors largely focus on doing legal research and paperwork.
Barristers are the individuals who are briefed by Solicitors. They form the argument in court and get up to speak in front of the judge.
100
Who has been newly elected as the leader of the Liberal Party?
Sussan Ley
100
What would happen if Australia were to become a republic?
The King would be replaced by a President as head of state.
200
Who makes up the executive and legislative branches in the United States?
Executive: President + Vice President
Legislative: House of Representatives + Senate (together they make up Congress)
200
Who holds executive power in Australia - in theory and in practice?
The executive power of the Commonwealth is vested in the King, who is represented by the Governor-General. BUT the GG generally acts on the advice of the PM and cabinet ministers.
In practice, there is thus an overlap between the exective and the legislative.
200
Why are criminal cases in Australia reference as R v ______?
What does R stand for?
The government acts as the prosecution in criminal cases. They are the ones bringing the case - need to establish order and keep citizens safe.
Australia is a constitutional democracy, our head of state is the King.
R is from Latin - stands for Rex (King) or Regina (Queen)
200
Name a source of international law.
Treaties, convenants, universal declaration of human rights, etc.
200
Who is the current leader of the National Party?
What have they been making the news for this week?
David Littleproud - Nats have been making the news for breaking up with the Libs but then also maybe getting back together.
200
Give an example of a way that China exercises "soft power" in its relations with other countries.
There are lots of answers, but panda diplomacy is the best one.
300
Which animals are the symbols for the Democrat and Republican parties?
Democrats - Donkey
Republicans - Elephant
300
What is the social contract?
What 3 responsibilities do all Australian citizens have?
We give authority to the government to govern in exchange for certain rights. We give up certain freedoms for this to occur.
All Australian citizens have the obligation to:
- Defend the country should the need arise
- Vote in elections
- Obey the law
300
This former athlete was accused of killing his wife. He was acquitted in a criminal court, but later found guilty in a civil court.
What is his name and how is that possible?
O.J. Simpson.
The burden of proof is lower in a civil court - it is only on the Balance of Probabilities, whereas in a criminal court it is 'Beyond Reasonable Doubt'
300
Define state sovereignty
The authority of an independent state to govern itself, and have control over its subjects and territory.
300
How many seats did the ALP (Australian Labor Party) win at the recent federal election? (+/- 3)
94 seats.
There is still 1 seat 'in doubt', but it will go to either the LNP or an Independent.
300
There is a woman in Georgia that is currently braindead and on life support and has been for 10+ weeks now.
Why is she being kept alive?
She was nine weeks pregnant when she had a medical emergency. They are keeping her alive to keep the fetus alive, because Georgia has a 6 week abortion ban. She is currently 22 weeks pregnant.
400
How can Congress override a presidential veto?
They must have a super-majority. 2/3rds of both the House of Representatives AND the Senate must vote in favour of overriding the veto.
400
What is an 'independent'?
Give three reasons why someone might choose to vote for an independent.
An independent is someone who is not a member of an established political party.
- Disenchantment with the major parties
- They can make their own mind up on individual issues
- Independents may hold the 'balance of power' depending on the composition of the Senate / HOR
+ Bonus 100: What is it called when a member of Parliament votes against their own party?
400
Name 2 advantages and 2 disadvantages of the adversarial system
Advantages:
- Cross-examination allows for thorough testing of evidence
- Burden of proof lies with the prosecution - innocent until proved guilty
- Impartial Jury should provide an unbiased verdict
Disadvantages:
- Juries are not subject-matter experts and can be confused by legal jargon
- Cross-examination can be traumatic for witnesses and survivors
- Trials can become more about who mounts a better argument, rather than the evidence
400
Using an example, explain how the Australian federal government uses the concept of state sovereignty to avoid meeting their international obligations.
Asylum Seekers/Refugees -> mandatory detention that violates basic human rights
Aus has signed agreements about accepting refugees/asylum seekers, but does not abide by these.
400
The Harvard Business Review recently updated their study on what people use generative AI for in 2025.
Name one thing from the top 3 things that people use AI for.
Overarching categories:
400
What was the 1975 Constitutional Crisis?
Why was it a crisis?
Firing of Gough Whitlam PM by GG Sir John Kerr.
Raised questions about the fact that executive power is exercised by an unelected official, who on convention usually acts on the guidance of the PM, but doesn't necessarily have to. Raised questions about whether this is democratic.
500
How many senators sit in the U.S. Senate? How is this number determined?
100 - 2 per state.
500
Which form of voting is used in the Australian House of Representatives and the Senate in Australian federal elections?
HOR: Preferential voting
Senate: Proportional voting
500
Why is it illegal for a government to render an individual stateless?
->
What impact does statelessness have for individuals AND the international community?
Statelessness poses a problem for the international community as it is a human rights violation.
Excluded from society. Stateless people may have difficulty accessing basic rights such as education, healthcare, employment and freedom of movement.
The exclusion and denial of rights to large populations due to statelessness may lead to radicalisation and violent extremism among marginalised populations.
500
A small number of senior Barristers (Lawyers who have passed the bar exam and been admitted to the bar) are appointed as Senior Counsel/King's Counsel.
This is a mark of outstanding ability awarded to a select few. What is the other name given to these members of the bar?
(Hint: It is based on their traditional dress + there is a BBC TV show of this name)
Silks - because members wear silk gowns of a particular design.
500
These people are participating in an annual competition. What is the competition?
Tom Kopke, of Munich, was king of Cooper's Hill in the annual cheese-rolling competition in which runners plunge down a 180 metre perilously steep pitch in pursuit of a speeding wheel of double Gloucester cheese.
500
What is 'horseshoe' theory?
The idea that the far left and far right of the political spectrum aren't actually opposites, but resemble each other closely in some ways.
Both gravitate towards authoritarianism/totalitarianism and extreme government control.