Principles of the Australian Parliamentary system

Govt that represents the views of the majority of people.

The govt is chosen by the peopleRegular election are held, so people

can vote. If the govt does not represent the

people it will be voted out at the next election

This refers to the govt responsibility to the people.They are answerable and accountable to the peopleMinisters are appointed and are answerable for their actions.

Ministers are responsible and must explain actions in Parl ( ministerial accountability)

Ministers responsible for actions of their dept

Other MP’s can question the Minister and depts. actions

Minister must have integrity or resign If the Minister loses support of lower house

they must resign- therefore responsible to the people.

This principle underpins our parliamentary system.It refers to 3 separate powers, each power is to be held by a separate body, to ensure no body has absolute power.

To ensure checks and balances. Independence in the systemProtects stability of govtBody who make the laws and

enforces the law are separateChecks on Parl to ensure they don’t

go beyond their power

It has the following structure and roles:• It has 150 members, each elected for

three years. • Each member represents an electorate

(or seat) All electorates have roughly the same number of electors.

• The Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory each elect two members to the House of Representatives.

Members of the House of Representatives are elected by a system of preferential voting.

Government is formed by the political party or coalition of parties that wins a majority of seats in the House of Representatives.

Members of the House of Representatives are elected for a maximum of three years.

Leading members of the Commonwealth Government become ministers. Each minister is responsible for a specific government Ministers can come from either the House of Representatives or the Senate. Ministers are responsible for introducing legislation that is relevant to their area of responsibility.

Government ministers acting together form a cabinet, which is the body charged with ensuring the implementation of the government's program.

Most legislation originates in the House of Representatives, although if the relevant minister is a Senator, he or she will introduce legislation in the Senate.

members of the House of Representatives are supposed to represent the views of those in their electorate

Each of the Commonwealth and state (except QLD) have 2 houses of Parl.

Many argue that Aust is over governed, that is we have too many parliaments and there have been suggestions that we should abolish the States and have regional govts.

The role of the Crown: What/ who is the Crown??

GG at Commonwealth level and Gov at State.

Queen or Monarch rep Hold the Executive power Appointed by Queen ( advice of PM)

What are their responsibilities? Take notes pg 16-17.

Royal assent and withholding Royal assent:

GG (Gov) give Royal Assent ( make bills into law). Normally it is just given, But sometimes

Royal Assent is withheld. The GG has the power to withhold assent The Governor's of the State’s no long

have this power due to the Australia Act 1986 (Cth).

Reserve powers are powers that dated back to when the Monarch had many powers.

It gives them the power to dismiss a government etc, but are rarely exercised.

In 1975 the GG dismissed the Whitlam govt. Executive council: the GG is responsible for

making delegated legislation. They do this whilst acting in council with the relevant ministers.

The GG or Gov is responsible for making Delegated legislation.

Delegated legis ( subordinate legis) is when rules and regulations are made by govt depts and other govt bodies. EG: Vic Roads.

Some Acts of parl give power to other bodies to make rules and regulations to Executive council.

The role played by the Houses of Parliament.

Cabinet, Parliament and Government- What are the differences?

Prime Minister, Premier, ministers – what are the differences?

Cabinet – PM, senior ministers decide on govt policy. This is how proposed laws –bills are formulated.

Cabinet is not mentioned in the Constitution (see page 18 for other conventions)

Parliament- the law- making, all members are part of this body. This also includes the Crown.

Government- the political party that has the majority of members in the lower house. The party that loses the election is the Opposition.

What are the features of each?What are the roles of each?How effective are each?

Take notes on each of these. (page 19- 26)

The roles and functions of the Upper and Lower Houses.

Roles and functions of Upper and Lower houses

Senate: role as States House:

Senate: role as a House of Review

Role of House of Reps as “people’s house”-

Role of House of Reps as a law maker:

The roles and functions of the Crown.

Crown

Crown’s Representative Executive function

Royal Assent Reserve powers

Queens repExecutiveRoyal AssentReserve powersSummon and dissolve ParliamentNon- legislative or ceremonial