The Australian Constitution
The Australian Constitution was made in 1901 when Australia became a Federated country. It is the document with rules about how Australia's government will work, including the powers of the Federal Parliament and some of Australian citizens' rights.
Describe why the Constitution might need to change.
The Constitution may need to change if it is outdated and doesn't fit with society's modern values.
How many houses of Parliament are then in Federal Parliament?
There are two houses - the House of Representatives and the Senate.
What is the name of a draft law?
A bill.
Describe refugees.
Refugees are people who must leave their home country because they are unsafe.
Democracy means 'rule by the people'. It is a system of government where citizens can actively participate in the decision-making processes for laws and society.
Describe a referendum.
A referendum is a special vote by Australian citizens to change the Constitution.
Explain who Members of Parliament are.
Members of Parliament are the people voted into Parliament by citizens of Australia. They should bring important matters to Parliament that people are concerned about.
Who signs off on a bill becoming an Act of Parliament?
The Governor-General signs off for a bill to become an Act. This is called 'royal assent'.
List three reasons why refugees may have to leave their home country.
1. War/conflict
2. Persecution
3. Climate change
Describe voting.
Voting is when citizens of Australia can choose who they'd like to represent them in Parliament. This is how they have a say in decision-making in Australia. The Australian Electoral Commission organises elections in Australia and is a separate organisation from the government.
Explain the process for a referendum to change in Australia.
What happens in the House of Representatives?
How many houses of Parliament must debate and vote on a bill before it goes to the Governor-General?
Two houses - the House of Representatives and the Senate (Lower and Upper House).
How are refugees represented positively in the media? Include an example from class.
Refugees are represented positively when the media:
- gives people facts and correct information
- humanises them by telling their stories
- shows how they contribute to Australian society
The Constitution includes some express rights. These are rights written into the Constitution. Some express rights include voting, the right to a trial by jury and the right to freedom of religion.
List two examples of changes to the Constitution from the past.
1. Conscription in 1916.
2. Aboriginal rights in 1967.
3. Australia becoming a republic in 1992.
List three areas of Federal law-making power.
1. Defence
2. Marriage
3. Trade and Commerce
4. Immigration
List the four steps of a bill becoming a law in Australia.
1. A need for a new law is identified.
2. House of Representatives - the bill is read, debated, sent to House Committee for changes, voted on to pass to the Upper House.
3. Senate - the bill is read, debated, voted on.
4. The Governor General signs the bill to become an Act.
How are refugees represented negatively in the media? Include an example from class.
Refugees are represented negatively in the media when:
- they are stereotyped
- the media shares misrepresentations/incorrect facts
- they are used as scapegoats for big issues/shows as a burden to society
Explain how the Australian Constitution allocates power to Federal Parliament for law-making.
The Constitution includes sections that state what laws the Federal Parliament can make. These are the Federal law-making powers. Some of these powers include making laws about immigration and defence.
Explain a double majority vote.
A double majority vote is when more than 50% of people in more than half the states/territories vote "yes" in a referendum to change the Constitution.
Who makes up the government in Australia?
The government is the party of politics that makes up the majority of the seats in the House of Representatives. (They have the most votes).
WILD CARD - What are two advantages and two disadvantages of the Constitution only changing with a referendum?
Advantages - reduces the power that the government has to change the Constitution, people in Australia get the opportunity to decide with a vote.
Disadvantages - it is timely and costly, the Constitution may become outdated because it is hard to change, the double majority vote is a very high threshold for change to occur
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