Civics

• A democracy is a system of government where people elect representatives who make the laws on their behalf.
• Democratic values: freedom, equality, free go, inclusion, compassion, and responsibility
• It is important for citizens to participate in their democracy because it ensures that everyone has a fair say in how the country is run.
• Freedom: Being able to make our own decisions without being controlled.
• Losing the right of freedom in Australia would make the country not really a "democracy" and it would make people scared to express their true opinions.
• The freedoms: Speech, Movement, Association, Assembly, Religion
• Freedom of speech: The right to express your opinion without fear that the government will punish you for it.
• Freedom of speech grey areas:

  • When does an expression of art turn offensive to its audience
  • When does insulting language turn into hate speech
• Freedom of movement: The right of registered citizens move freely around a country. This is also the right to re-enter a country from anywhere in the world.
• Freedom of association: The right to participate in lawful activities of a legal organisation.
• Freedom of religion: The right to participate, join and leave and religion of one's choice
• Freedom of assembly: The right for individuals/groups to meet together as long as their activities are legal.

  Allows people to come together and protest as long as there is no violence involved.
• Direct action: contacting members of Parliament, petitions, protests, strikes, lobby groups, boycotts
• Australia is divided into 150 electorates, represented by an MP in Parliament for every electorate. The MP's job is to voice the opinions of people from their electorate in Parliament.
• Petition: A collection of signatures from citizens showing support of a particular idea or request to change a specific policy that is sent to the government.
• Strike: An organised and intentional stoppage of work by employees, intending to make their employer comply with their demands.
• Boycotts: A non-violent voluntary act that involves the refusal to buy or use a specific product or service.
• Lobby Groups: A way of raising awareness of issues. Lobbying involves working on behalf of a particular cause to influence particular decisions. Lobby groups might attempt to sway political decisions in their favour through media campaigns or contacting with members of Parliament.
• Equality: When we treat everyone the same.
• Compassion: A human response to the suffering of others that makes us want to help or relieve their suffering.
• Inclusion: It is important to celebrate all kinds of differences and include people in our society.
• Responsibility: We must take ownership of our decisions and make sure that we are held accountable for our choices.
• Fair Go: Everyone deserves a fair chance to succeed. Everyone is given access to healthcare, education, and the opportunity to work regardless of gender, race, or socioeconomic status.