LCV-BITS+'N'+PIECES

__** GOVERNMENT **__

__**1. FEDERATION**__

-When did this occur?
 * Federation in Australia occurred on the 1st January, 1901.

-What did it mean for Australia's colonies
 * It meant that the six colonies became one.

-Explain the role of the Governor-General.
 * The Governor-General is The Queen's representative in Australia. As such, he or she performs the same constitutional role in Australia as The Queen does in the United Kingdom.

-What is constitution?
 * A body of fundamental principles or established precedents according to which a state or other organization is acknowledged to be governed.

-Explain the meaning of federalism and bicameralism.
 * The federal principle or system of government.
 * Bicameralism is a legislature made up of two houses. Theoretically, the Frames of the Constitution favored a bicameral Congress in order that one house might act as a check on the other.

__**2. THREE TIERED SYSTEM**__

-Explain the three levels of government in Australia.
 * There is federal, state and territory, and local.

-Write a brief explanation on the roles and responsibilities of each level of government?
 * The federal government decides things like foreign affairs, defence, trade and communication services.
 * The state governments are responsible for education, health, police, railways, main roads and public housing.
 * The local governments control garbage collection, local roads, buildings, parks, libraries, child care, youth services, social planning and the local enviroment.

-Name the title for the leaders of each level of government.
 * There is the prime minister, premier and mayor or shire president.

-How are decisions made and passed into law at a state and federal level?
 * Laws can only be passed or changed with the approval of both houses and the Royal Assent of the Governor-General. The 226 members of Parliament are responsible for making federal laws.
 * State and territory parliaments make laws that are enforced within their state or territory.

__**3. COAT OF ARMS**__

-Explain the symbols on the Australian coat of arms. Include an image of the coat of arms in your response.
 * The Australian coat of arms consists of a shield with the badges of each of the six Australian states. On the left side of the shield stands a red kangaroo and on the right is an emu. Beneath the shield is a scroll with the word 'Australia' written in it. Wattle sprays from a background. The coat of arms is one of the symbols of Federation. The Commonwealth uses it to identify its authority and property. However, it can also be found in many other places, for example on cricketers' caps and on Australian passports.

__**4. PRIME MINISTER**__

-List some of the tasks of the Australian Prime Minister. Deciding with the ministers in Cabinet what new laws should be introduced into Parliament.
 * Chairing the weekly party meeting in which the party decides policy and examines new legislation.
 * Selecting other members and senators from the same party to be ministers.
 * Leading the government as the chief government spokesperson in the House of Representatives.
 * Representing the Australian government overseas.
 * Advising the Governor-General about important appointments such as the appointment of ambassadors, heads of government departments and other constitution matters.
 * Deciding when to call an election and leading the party in the election.

__**5. VOTING AND ELECTIONS**__

-Write a short explanation of the voting process in Australia.
 * To vote in Australia you have to be 18 or over to vote.

__**6. POLITICAL PARTIES**__

-Look at these symbols for some of the political parties that exist in Australia.

-Think about what each symbol represents and why they have used the colours and symbols in their logo.

-Design your own logo for the 'Australian People's Party'. Explain why you choose the images and colours you used.
 * I drew a big 'A' because the first letter of Australian is a. I put a person in the logo to represent the 'People's' in the party's name. Then I also put a Southern Cross in the logo to represent Australia.

__**7. AUSTRALIAN PERSPECTIVE**__

-Democracy - explain in your own words what democracy means.
 * A method of government in which the people's views guide the decisions and laws made.

-Do you think Australia has a fair system of government - explain your answer.
 * I think Australia has a fair system of government because we can vote.

-What would the ideal government look like?
 * It would be a government which all people get positives from.