LESSON 17.7 Review 17.7.1
Key knowledge summary Use this dot-point summary to review the content covered in this topic. 17.2 How do Australians participate in our democracy?
• In a democracy, citizens have the right to disagree with those in power. • There are many lawful ways to express dissent, including protests. • Protests and petitions can have an impact, such as leading to laws being changed. 17.3 How do we form a government? • All citizens over the age of 18 have the right to vote in Australian elections, although they need to register to take full advantage of this right. • Preferential voting means that voters nominate candidates in the order they prefer from highest to lowest. • Local members are voted in to help their constituents. • A parliamentary majority requires that a party or group holds over 50 per cent of the seats in the House of Representatives. 17.4 What makes our government system fair? • The Australian Constitution establishes the separation of powers into the legislative, executive and judicial branches, ensuring a system of checks and balanced power to support democracy. • The legislative branch creates laws that represent the interests of Australian citizens. • The executive branch, led by the prime minister, enforces these laws and ensures they are applied fairly. • The judicial branch interprets these laws, providing a mechanism for citizens to challenge government actions. 17.5 How is opinion on government shaped? • The Great Debate between the leaders of the government and the opposition is a televised event, often occuring just before election time. • Debates are held in the House of Representatives when moving a motion. • Opinion polls, media coverage and paid advertising all play significant roles in influencing how individuals perceive political issues and candidates. 17.6 Inquiry: What is the role of digital media in Australian politics? • Digital media plays a role in influencing how people vote. • Political parties use their websites and social media to present a certain message. 17.7.2 Key terms Australian Constitution the foundational legal document that establishes the framework for the governing of Australia balance of power the distribution of authority and responsibilities among the three branches of government confidence the level of support that the government has from the parliament, which is necessary for the government to remain in power democracy a form of government in which the people determine how they will be governed democratic supporting democracy, or the system of government where supreme power is vested in the people and exercised directly by them or by their elected representatives under a free electoral system dissent disagreeing with a decision, opinion, or set of beliefs, and expressing this disagreement electorate an area of Australia that elects one member to parliament
520 Jacaranda Humanities Alive 8 Victorian Curriculum Third Edition
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