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• Democracy

  Rule by the people
• Direct democracy


  • People help make decisions directly by voting on laws and policy proposals
• Representative democracy


  • Citizens choose representatives to make decisions on their behalf
• Constitutional Monarchy


  System of government in which a monarch shares power with a constitutionally organized government
• Liberal Democracy

  System of government that promotes the rights of individuals and groups with regard to political, legal, and social representation
• •       Must protect the rights and freedoms of individuals

  •       Must make laws that reflect the views and values of the people

  •       Must be accountable to the people

  •       Must not abuse their power
• Representative Democracy

  Citizens vote for government representatives to handle legislation and ruling the country on their behalf
• The Federal or Commonwealth Government is responsible for the conduct of national affairs
• Areas of responsibility of the Federal Government


  • Defence and foreign affairs
  • Trade, commerce, and currency
  • Immigration
  • Postal services, telecommunications, and broadcasting
  • Air travel
  • Most social services and pensions
• Under the Australian Constitution, the States are responsible for everything not listed as a Federal responsibility
• Major State responsibilities


  • Schools
  • Hospitals
  • Conservation and environment
  • Roads, railways, and public transport
  • Public works
  • Agriculture and fishing
  • Industrial relations
  • Community services
  • Sport and recreation
  • Consumer affairs
  • Police
  • Prisons
  • Emergency services
• Local Government areas vary greatly in size and character
• Local Council responsibilities


  • Building regulations and development
  • Public health
  • Local roads and footpaths
  • Parks and playing fields
  • Libraries
  • Local environmental issues
  • Waste disposal
  • Community services
• Australia has underlying principles or beliefs that aim to protect the rights and freedoms of individuals, reflect the views and values of the people, be accountable to the people, and not abuse their power
• Specific powers are law-making powers given to the Federal Parliament and listed in sections 51 and 52 of the Constitution
• Residual powers are any area not covered in the Constitution and are considered to be within the states' powers to make laws
• Separation of Powers


  Outline the separation of powers between the legislative, executive, and judiciary branches of government
• The Constitution established a federal system of government in Australia
• The Parliament has the power to make and change laws and is made up of representatives elected by the people of Australia
• The Executive has the power to put laws into action and is made up of the Prime Minister, key ministers, and the Cabinet
• The Judiciary has the power to make judgments about the law and is made up of the High Court of Australia
• The High Court of Australia is part of the Judiciary and has 7 Justices, with the Chief Justice being first among equals
• High Court


  The highest court in Australia
• High Court structure

  • The Judiciary makes judgements about the law, made up of the High Court of Australia and other federal courts, Chief Justice is first among equals, 7 Justices in total
• Functions of the High Court

  1. Interpret and apply the law of Australia

  2. Decide cases of special federal significance including challenges to the constitutional validity of laws

  3. Hear appeals, by special leave, from Federal, State and Territory courts
• When resolving disputes over the meaning of the Constitution

  1. Keep the Constitution relevant

  2. Check the law-making power of parliament

  3. Protect express and implied rights
• Common law


  Made by judges in a court, using precedent to decide how they will judge a case before them
• Express rights

  Rights explicitly articulated in the Constitution
• Implied rights

  Not explicitly articulated but found to be implied by other provisions within the Constitution
• Indigenous cultures are rooted in a relationship with land and a spiritual connection to Country
• Land rights and native title are extremely important to many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities
• Mabo, along with fellow plaintiffs, brought a case against the Queensland Government in the High Court
• Role of the High Court

  Make decisions about Australian law, interpret existing laws, deal with challenges to the Constitution, have the final word on decisions, important cases heard by a full bench of all seven judges
• Declining public trust in government, media, and other institutions can weaken the foundations of democracy
• Increasing political and social division can make it harder to find common ground and compromise
• Attempts by foreign actors to influence elections, spread disinformation, or manipulate public opinion can undermine the integrity of democratic processes
• Pressures on independent journalism can limit the flow of information and public scrutiny of power
• The spread of false or misleading information online can distort public discourse and manipulate public opinion
• Declining participation in voting and civic engagement can weaken democratic processes
• Exclusion from the political process can lead to disenfranchisement and erode trust in the system