Archdale Week 3 TOPIC AREA: AUSTRALIAN POLITICS HOME DEBATE

General knowledge What country/countries is our system of government modelled off? What’s our lower parliamentary chamber called? What’s our upper parliamentary chamber called? What is the Constitution? What are our 3 arms of government? What is a democracy? Is voting compulsory in Aus? What’s the difference between Federal and State gov? Aus has 4 main political parties. What are they?

General knowledge System of government reflects British and North American models Based on an elected parliament with two chambers, House of Reps and Senate The Queen appoints a Gov-General A written constitution (like US, unlike Britain)

General knowledge The Australian Constitution defines the responsibilities of the federal government (Foreign relations, trade, defence, immigration) Divides power between Commonwealth and the states Exclusive powers of the Cth as articulated under s51 of the Constitution Residual powers that vest with the states, these powers being those that were historically with the states prior to the creation of the Cth of Aus Concurrent powers are shared between by the Cth and the States.

General knowledge What is the purpose of the Division of powers? To ensure that the states retain their powers and can pass laws on a more localised level that are relevant to people living within the states. It ensures the Commonwealth concerns itself with those areas of governance relevant to a national government-defence, currency, customs and international trade. What is the effect of the Division of powers? Each of the states is treated so equally and so no person is disadvantaged as a result of where they are born or live. Furthermore each of the States retains its own identity because it can pass its own laws with respect to transport, health, education, policing, housing and other state matters

General knowledge The Australian Constitution sets out the powers of government in three separate chapters—the legislature, the executive and the judiciary Why do they do this? Government is formed in the House of Representatives by the party able to command a majority in that chamber

General knowledge 3 Arms of Government The legislature, or parliament, is made up of democratically-elected representatives. The executive is the administrative arm of government, and is made up of government employees working in a number of departments and agencies. The judiciary is the legal arm of the government.

General knowledge Minority parties holds the balance of power in the Senate, which serves as a chamber of review for gov decisions A national election must be held within three years of the first meeting of a new federal parliament For all citizens over the age of 18 it is compulsory to vote in the election of both federal and state governments

General knowledge Australia has four main political parties. The Australian Labor Party (ALP) is a social democratic party. The Liberal Party is a party of the centre right. The National Party of Australia, formerly the Country Party, is a conservative party representing rural interests. The Australian Greens is a left-wing and environmentalist party.

Current Affairs What has been going on in the political arena lately? Same sex marriage: news/samesex-marriage-could-be-a-12-billion-stimulus-package-for- business gheyuv.htmlhttp:// news/samesex-marriage-could-be-a-12-billion-stimulus-package-for- business gheyuv.html Cabinet leak: news/cabinet-chaos-abbott-confronts-leakers-with-a-come-to-jesus- moment ghf5gg.html, work-foreign-minister-julie-bishop/story-fn59niix http:// news/cabinet-chaos-abbott-confronts-leakers-with-a-come-to-jesus- moment ghf5gg.html work-foreign-minister-julie-bishop/story-fn59niix National Budget: news/federal-budget-2015-hit-to-family-payments-to-reach-84-per-week gheyzl.html, budget/, budget-2015-winners-and-losers mzi3h.htmlhttp:// news/federal-budget-2015-hit-to-family-payments-to-reach-84-per-week gheyzl.html budget/ budget-2015-winners-and-losers mzi3h.html

Example topic – seniors to prep That same-sex marriage should be legalised That the Australian government should do more to protect its citizens in criminal matters overseas. GOOD LUCK GIRLS!!!