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Government of Western Australia. (n.d.). District Court. https://www.districtcourt.wa.gov.au/
Learning Framework
Concept
Participation
Content
Students continue to build on their understanding of the concepts of the Westminster system, democracy, democratic values, justice, and participation.
Skills
- Communicating and reflecting
- Précis writing
Resource Key
When accessing content use the numbers below to guide you:
LEVEL 1:
brief, basic information laid out in an easy-to-read format. May use informal language. (Includes most news articles)
LEVEL 2:
provides additional background information and further reading. Introduces some subject-specific language.
LEVEL 3:
lengthy, detailed information. Frequently uses technical/subject-specific language. (Includes most analytical articles)
Overview
- What is the role of parties in parliament?
Defines the role of political parties in parliament. - Functions of Political Parties
In a Westminster parliamentary democracy, such as Australia, organised political parties are seen as fulfilling a number of important functions. - Your vote – your privilege – and your responsibility
Parliament is at the centre of government, making decisions and passing laws on issues which affect your life every day. Voting in a federal parliamentary election is how you can have your views heard and is your opportunity to choose who represents you in the federal parliament. - Who can vote?To vote in local, state, territory or federal elections in Australia, people must be registered on the relevant electoral roll.
- CourtsThe power to make laws in Australia is divided between the executive, the parliament and the judiciary. This is known as the separation of powers doctrine and is an essential feature of the Australian system of government.
- The courts and ParliamentThe Constitution deliberately confers great independence on the federal courts of Australia. At the same time the Parliament plays a considerable role in the creation of courts, investing other courts with federal jurisdiction, prescribing the number of justices to be appointed to a particular court, and so on. In the scheme of the Constitution, the courts and the Parliament provide checks and balances on each other.
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Glossary
- Westminster system The Westminster system is the basis of government in Australia, at the state, territory and federal level. It is based on the British model of responsible government. Under this system public sector employees serve the people of their state, territory or country by implementing the Government's policies, decisions and programs.
- Democracy Democracy means rule by the people. The word comes from the ancient Greek words ‘demos’ (the people) and ‘kratos’ (to rule).
- Democratic values Values that reflect a society’s democratic way of life. Respect, equality, fairness and freedom are some examples of Australia’s democratic values.
- Justice Justice refers to concepts of fairness, equality, moral behaviour, lawfulness, and order. It seeks to answer questions like “What are people owed?” and “What makes a punishment just?”
- Government A government is a system of order for a nation, state, or another political unit. A government is responsible for creating and enforcing the rules of a society, defense, foreign affairs, the economy, and public services. While the responsibilities of all governments are similar, those duties are executed in different ways depending on the form of government. Some of the different types of government include a direct democracy, a representative democracy, socialism, communism, a monarchy, an oligarchy, and an autocracy.