Separation of Powers
What are the three branches of government in Australia?
Legislative, Executive, and Judiciary
What are the three levels of government?
Federal, State, Local
How often are federal elections held in Australia?
Every 3 years
What does the political spectrum represent?
A range of political beliefs from left to right.
What type of media is known for spreading political content fast, including misinformation?
Social Media
Which branch is responsible for making and changing the law?
Legislative (Parliament)
Describe how Australia's Parliament is 'bicameral'
Australia has two houses (or chambers) for its Parliament - the House of Representatives & the Senate.
What is the main role of political parties and what is the main goal of the two major parties?
To represent citizens’ interests and form government.
What are two beliefs commonly associated with right-wing politics?
Emphasis on tradition and social hierarchy
Support for free markets with limited government intervention
Identify three common methods political parties use to influence voters during election time.
Public debates, social media campaigns, advertising
Describe the role of the Executive branch in Australia and its composition.
The Executive carries out and enforces laws (puts the laws into action); includes the Prime Minister, minister, and government departments.
What is the role of the Governor-General?
Represents the King, gives royal assent to laws, appoints the PM (after their party wins the majority of seats in the HOR), and performs ceremonial duties.
How does someone become Prime Minister of Australia.
By being the leader of the political party that wins the most seats in the HOR.
What are two beliefs commonly associated with left-wing politics?
Emphasis on social equality and government intervention to achieve it
Support for progressive social change and reforms
How can media coverage impact the outcome of an election?
Media can shape public opinion by focusing on certain issues or portraying candidates positively or negatively, influencing what voters think is important.
Why is the separation of powers important in a democracy?
It prevents any one branch from becoming too powerful and ensures accountability.
Name two responsbilities for each level of government.
Federal - immigration, taxes, currency, defence, medicare
State - transport, education, hospitals, state roads, polic
Local - rubbish collection, sewerage, parks, local roads, libraries
Describe two purposes of preferential voting.
1) Allow voters to express their preferences for multiple candidates by numbering them in order of preference.
2) Ensures that the elected candidate is supported by an absolute majority (more than 50%) of voters.
3) Reduces vote wastage
What Australian political party is considered centre-right? Explain.
The Liberal Party of Australia is seen as centre-right because it champions free market economics, less government regulation, and individual responsibility. It believes that economic growth and personal freedom are best promoted by limiting government intervention. These views fit with centre-right politics, which focus on supporting businesses, maintaining tradition, and encouraging self-reliance.
Describe two ways social media can influence voters.
Rapid Spread of Information (and Misinformation):
Social media allows political content to be shared instantly with large audiences. This includes both accurate information and false or misleading content, which can shape public opinion quickly.
Framing and Bias:
The way political issues are presented on social media—through headlines, images, or influencers—can frame topics in a biased way, influencing how people interpret events or policies.
Echo Chambers and Algorithms:
Social media platforms often show users content that aligns with their existing beliefs. This can create "echo chambers" where people are only exposed to one side of an issue, reinforcing bias and limiting critical thinking.
Influence of Influencers and Memes:
Political messages are often spread through influencers, celebrities, or viral memes. These can simplify complex issues and make them more emotionally charged, which can sway opinions without deep understanding.
No because we use the Westminister system, which means members of the Exectutive Branch (Prime Minister and their ministers) are drawn from (members of) and responsible to the legislative branch. As well, the Governor-General is a memer of both branches.
What are three features of Australia's political system?
1) multi-party system
2) constitional monarchy
3) representative democarcy
4) separation of powers
5) division of powers
Explain how a minority government forms, what other term is used to describe it, and one challenge it may face.
It forms when no party wins a majority, also called a hung parliament, the governing party must negotiate with others to pass laws-- this means it can be unstable.
What political parties are considered centre-left and left in Australia? Explain
The Australian Labor Party is considered centre-left because it promotes policies that support workers’ rights, social welfare, and public services like healthcare and education. These policies reflect a belief that the government should play an active role in reducing inequality and protecting the well-being of all citizens. Labor’s approach aims to create a fairer society by supporting people who face economic or social challenges.
The Australian Greens, on the other hand, are considered left-wing because they focus on environmental sustainability, social justice, and grassroots democracy. They advocate for strong climate action, Indigenous rights, and reducing corporate influence in politics. The Greens believe in transforming systems to achieve long-term equity and ecological balance, often pushing for more progressive reforms than Labor.
Describe two factors that influence voters during elections.
One factor that influences voters is the policies and stance of political parties on important issues like the economy, education, and health care. Voters often choose parties whose policies best match their needs or beliefs.
Another factor can be a candidate’s personal qualities or leadership skills, as voters may prefer someone they trust to make decisions.
Media coverage can also shape voter opinions by emphasizing certain topics or portraying candidates positively or negatively.