Chapter 12
PARTICIPATING
IN POLITICS
Have you ever attended a rally as a member of
a pressure group in protest about a social issue?
Perhaps you signed a petition organised by the
school’s Student Representative Council (SRC)
in an effort to change something. If so, you have
been involved in politics.
As Australian citizens, we have specific rights
and responsibilities. One of the fundamental
rights is the freedom to choose the type of
government we would like. It is our responsibility,
therefore, to understand how we are governed and
to become involved in the political process. This is
what active citizenship is all about.
Civic knowledge and understanding
• Explain the origins and features of representative
government.
• Identify significant developments in the governance
and achievement of political rights in Australia.
• Explain the key features of Australian Government
including the responsibilities of the levels of
government, the houses of parliament, political
parties and the ways that citizens are represented,
using contemporary examples in explanations.
• Identify and question the features and values of
Australia’s political system.
• Identify and discuss the qualities of leadership
through historical and contemporary examples.
Community engagement
• Present points of view on contemporary issues
and events using appropriate supporting evidence.
• Explain different perspectives on contemporary
issues and propose possible solutions to problems.
• Use democratic processes when working in groups
on class and community projects.
• Participate in school and community events and in
activities to contribute to environmental
sustainability or action on other community issues.
As Australian citizens, we
have the right to protest.
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HUMANITIES 1
autocracy: a system of government in which one person
or group holds all the power
balance of power: the power an individual or party has
by holding the casting vote. The vote of the person or
party holding the balance of power will swing the
decision one way or the other.
Cabinet: the group of select government ministers that
meets regularly to decide major issues of government.
Cabinet proceedings are highly confidential.
coalition government: a government that becomes
possible because two or more parties agree to work
together, and hence gain the majority of votes
communism: a system of government where economic
resources are owned by the government
constitution: a document that sets out how a body or a
country will be governed
constitutional monarchy: a form of government in
which a country has a monarch as the head of state, and
has a constitution that sets down the rules by which it
will be governed
democracy: a system of government where political
power lies with the people
direct democracy: a system of government where
issues are directly decided by the citizens through either
a show of hands or secret ballot (vote)
double dissolution: a decision made by the head of
state to dissolve both houses of Parliament
electoral division: one of the 150 areas within
Australia, each containing approximately the same
population, which elects a person to represent its people
in the House of Representatives
electoral roll: a list of names and addresses of all
Australian citizens registered to vote
fascism: a system of government based on strong
centralised power permitting no opposition or criticism
Federal Parliament: the House of Representatives and
the Senate
federation: when separate countries or states agree to
join together as one
front bench: the first row of seats in a parliamentary
chamber, where the ministers and the shadow ministers
sit
House of Representatives: the lower house of Federal
Parliament, sometimes called the people’s house
Magna Carta: a document outlining the freedoms of
English people; principally that no person shall be
imprisoned or banished except by the law of the land
portfolio: an area of government responsibility, such as
health or defence
representative democracy: a system of government
that allows electors to choose representatives to make
political decisions for them
republic: a democratic form of government that has a
President
Senate: the upper house of the Federal Parliament
socialism: a system of government whereby the
ownership of all the main economic resources are in the
hands of the community
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12.1
‘GOVERNMENT OF THE PEOPLE, BY
THE PEOPLE, FOR THE PEOPLE…’
DEMOCRACY AT WORK
Imagine a group of five friends where three
members want to see a movie but two would
prefer to go ice-skating. To solve this dilemma,
the group will probably discuss the benefits of
the two activities in an attempt to influence one
another’s decision. At the conclusion of the discussion, a vote will be taken and whatever
activity the majority of the group vote for will be
the one the group agrees to. This group has
undertaken a process called democratic decision
making, which is similar to the way the Australian system of government operates.
others to support their ideas. The citizens (adult
males born in Athens to free parents) then voted
and the idea that gained the majority of votes
would win. In a direct democracy, citizens are
constantly participating in the exercise of power
as they meet, discuss and vote. (For a more
detailed description of direct democracy in
ancient Greece refer to pages 56–7.)
Democracy originated in ancient Greece during the fifth
century BC.
CIVICS
Citizen is an old Anglo-Norman word citezein,
which is based on the Latin civitas, meaning
city.
A majority vote will determine which activity the group
undertakes.
THE ORIGINS OF DEMOCRACY
The main feature of a democracy is that all people
have equal rights and privileges. It also means
that, in the end, power rests with the people. If
people do not like what the government of the day
is doing, they can vote in an election to remove it.
The democratic system of government originated in Ancient Greece in the fifth century BC.
It is based on the two Greek words demos,
meaning people, and kratia, meaning power or
rule. Democracy in ancient Greece was called
direct democracy because citizens would hold
public mass meetings to discuss and vote on
issues that affected them all. Some individuals
would give speeches in an attempt to influence
AUSTRALIA’S REPRESENTATIVE
DEMOCRACY
The features of a representative democracy,
which Australia has, are shown in the diagram
above right.
Representative democracy was designed to
provide all citizens a say in the decisions that
would affect the majority of people. Therefore,
when Australians talk about their democratic
rights, they mean that citizens are given power
to decide who will represent their views through
electing members of parliament. In a representative democracy, the citizens have the ultimate
power because they elect representatives to act
on their behalf.
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HUMANITIES 1
The political party
(or coalition) with the most
people elected to the
House of Representatives
forms the government.
Political representatives
are elected for a fixed
term (usually three
years) and are reelected only if the
majority of voters
wish this.
Features
of a
representative
democracy
Political candidates
can oppose the
government
without fear
of punishment.
Citizens can choose
whom they want to vote
for in an election, free
of pressure, and can
vote in secret.
ON
ON
wiZdom
Time
trap
CIVICS
‘Government of the people, by the people, for
the people…’
These famous words, from part of a speech
given by Abraham Lincoln, the sixteenth
president of the United States (1861–65), outline the essential elements of a democracy.
Citizens over 18
can elect people
to represent them
in government.
All citizens
over 18 can put
themselves
forward as
candidates in
an election.
Understand
1. What does the term democracy mean?
2. Where was the first known democracy?
All people can join,
and be active in,
a political party.
Features of a representative democracy
While a representative democracy allows its
citizens many rights and a great deal of personal
freedom, there must also be controls. Can you
imagine what it would be like in Australia if
every person were allowed to do what he or she
wanted all the time? It would be chaos and, inevitably, the freedoms of certain weaker people
would probably be lost. A democracy must still
have laws. Our laws are developed by federal and
state parliaments and protected by the Australian Constitution. The ultimate purpose of
our laws is to protect our democratic way of life.
Think
3. Explain the meaning of the following statements:
(a) ‘Democracy operates best when the people
have the ultimate power.’
(b) ‘Power without control is the enemy of
freedom.’
4. What is meant by the three phrases: government
of the people; government by the people; and
government for the people? Which of the three
do you consider to be the most important? Why?
Communicate
5. Add extra elements to the mind map started
below to summarise the main features of a
democracy.
Originated
in ancient
Greece
Democracy
Teamwork
6. In pairs, research a country that is presently
attempting to introduce a more democratic
process of government.
(a) What difficulties are being experienced in
attempting to introduce the democratic
process?
(b) Outline any forms of assistance being given
by other democratic countries or the United
Nations.
(c) Suggest reasons why the military tends to be
one of the most powerful forces in the country.
Dig deeper
7. To read Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address go
to www.jaconline.com.au/essentials/humanities1
and click on the Gettysburg Address weblink for
this chapter. Why do you think this address is one
of the most important speeches of all time about
democracy?
Everyone must vote in state and federal elections including
these lifesavers from Bondi Surf Club.
Worksheets
12.1 What is the purpose of government?
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12.2
THE BEGINNINGS
OF PARLIAMENT
England was the first to develop the system of
parliament that became the foundation of our
representative government.
In 1215, King John was forced by his barons to
sign a document called the Magna Carta. He
promised to call up all his lords by name (to discuss important matters) and to have ordinary
people elected to similar meetings in certain
communities. His actions gave rise, in time, to
what are known today in England as the House
of Lords and the House of Commons.
These meetings of lords and commoners were
first referred to as ‘parliaments’ in 1236 (from
the French word parler, meaning ‘to speak’). They
were usually held to discuss the king’s need for
extra taxes. At this stage, the king still always
had the final say.
A twentieth-century illustration showing King John
reluctantly signing the Magna Carta
By around 1350, parliaments were divided into
two groups. The lords met in a separate place (or
‘house’) to the elected community members. In
1407, Henry IV decided that the community
members (House of Commons) had to approve
requests for grants of money before these
requests were considered by the lords (House of
Lords). By the fifteenth century, formal requests
of the House of Commons, known as bills, were
part of the law-making process.
PEOPLE POWER
As the House of Commons gained more power,
the monarch’s powers were gradually reduced.
As well, the power of the House of Lords
declined. Eventually, the monarch became little
more than a figurehead in the government of the
country. The monarchy did not normally give up
its power without some form of resistance. The
power struggle between the monarch and the
parliament sometimes led to civil war, with
troops loyal to the monarch fighting against
those who swore allegiance to the parliament.
One such Englishman was Oliver Cromwell,
leader of the parliamentary troops.
Civil war broke out in England in 1642 between
the supporters (Royalists) of Charles I, King of
Great Britain and Ireland, and the supporters of
parliament (Roundheads). The Royalists lost the
war and Charles I was beheaded in 1649. England
became a republic with Oliver Cromwell as Lord
Protector (head of state). When he died the
monarchy was restored; however, Charles II ruled
with the assistance of a parliament.
Initially, only people (commoners) of wealth or
influence had a role to play in parliament. However,
during the nineteenth and
twentieth centuries, the
right of ordinary men and
women to cast a secret
ballot for their chosen representative in parliament
By 1265, the Great Council was enlarged to
include two community representatives from
every city and county in England.
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HUMANITIES 1
Oliver Cromwell
(1599–1658), leader of the
parliamentary troops in the
Civil War; Lord Protector
of England, 1653–58
SKILLS essentials
Examine a historical event
You can get a better understanding of a historical
event by reading quotes of people involved in the
occasion. Read the quote spoken by Charles I just
before he was beheaded on Tuesday, 30 January
1649 and then answer the following questions.
For the people I truly desire liberty and freedom
as much as anybody whatsoever; but I must tell
you that their liberty and freedom consists in
having government, those laws by which their
lives and goods may be most their own. It is not
their having a share in the government; that is
nothing appertaining to them; a subject and
sovereign are clean different things…
1. Read the speech aloud
with a partner and
discuss the meaning
of any words or sentence
you find difficult to
understand.
2. What do you think
Charles I meant by
these words?
3. Imagine you were
asked to defend
Charles I at his ‘trial’.
Outline your
defence case.
A twentieth-century illustration showing the House of
Commons in 1651. At this time, parliament held all the
power in the kingdom.
was won. Such rights were not always gained easily.
Some who fought for these rights were imprisoned
while a number were executed.
The right to cast a secret ballot vote is the
underlying strength of our democratic process of
government. As individuals, we should not take
this responsibility lightly.
Understand
1. What was the Magna Carta?
2. Why were the first meetings of lords and
commoners called parliaments?
3. What occurred in 1407 to give the House of
Commons more power than the House of Lords?
4. What role did Oliver Cromwell play in the
development of parliament?
Think
5. List three problems that could arise if only one
person has absolute power to make laws.
6. Elaborate upon the following statement: ‘The
right to a secret ballot vote is the greatest
freedom an individual can possess.’
Communicate
7. In small groups, imagine you were a commoner
in one of the early English parliaments. Prepare
a speech outlining why the parliament rather
than the monarch should have the right to
make laws. Choose a spokesperson to present
the speech.
8. Research and prepare a one-page report on two
of the following:
(a) the parliament of Elizabeth I (1533–1603),
Queen of England
(b) Oliver Cromwell (1599–1658), Lord Protector
of England
(c) Charles I (1600–49), King of England and Ireland
(d) the parliament under Queen Victoria (1819–
1901), Queen of the United Kingdom.
Present one of your reports using a multimedia
application and graphics. Be sure to cover the
historical background of the period and the
benefits that the person brought to their country
in terms of their ideas.
Dig deeper
9. Read the oath that all members of the new
1649 English parliament had to take in support
of the government and then answer the
questions that follow.
‘I do declare and promise that I will be true
and faithful to the Commonwealth of England
as the same is now established, without a King
or House of Lords’. Oath of Engagement, 1649.
(a) Why was there no King or House of Lords?
(b) Why do you think members took an oath?
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12.3
POWER IN THEIR HANDS
DIFFERENT TYPES OF
GOVERNMENT
A democracy is only one type of government.
Different countries at various stages of their
history have adopted one of the following types of
government.
Communism
The communist system of government is based
on the theories of Karl Marx and his friend
Friedrich Engels. In this system there is no
private ownership. Everything, apart from some
personal items, is owned by the government
(state) who supplies all the needs and wants
of the citizens. Countries with this system of
government include North Korea and Cuba.
Until the early 1990s, communist governments were
also found in the CIS (Commonwealth of Independent
States, formerly USSR), and
the countries of eastern
Europe. Since then there has
been a dramatic change in the
governments of these countries. China is also transforming its communist system
of government but at a much
slower pace.
Karl Marx (1818–83). His thoughts
have shaped the governments of
many countries and have affected
the lives of millions of people.
Monarchy
A true monarchy is a system of government where
the monarch has total supreme power. This person
is known under a variety of titles, including King,
Queen, Emperor, Empress or Sultan. Some
examples of countries where the monarch has
absolute power include Saudi Arabia, Oman and
Kuwait.
Where the powers of the monarch have been
limited by a series of laws, the system is known as
a constitutional monarchy. Countries that have
a constitutional monarchy are
also normally democracies.
These countries include the
United Kingdom and Japan.
Australia is a constitutional monarchy where
the Governor-General acts
as the representative of the
Queen. The Australian Constitution sets out how the country
will be governed. Many people
claim that we should change
this system and become a
republic. A republic is a
democratic form of government that has a President.
In the world there are many
republics, including the USA
and France.
Autocracy
Autocracy is opposite in
Queen Elizabeth II
meaning to democracy and
— Queen of Great
occurs when one person or
Britain, Northern
group holds all the power.
Ireland and Head of
the Commonwealth
The power-holder may be an
individual, a family, a political party, or military officers who form a military
dictatorship. This system of government is frequently found in developing countries where the
armed forces may be the most organised group in
the country. Most military governments are
formed as a result of a revolution. Myanmar (formerly Burma), one of the world’s most oppressive
and secretive regimes, is a current example of an
autocratic military dictatorship.
Myanmar military officers
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HUMANITIES 1
Socialism
Socialism is a system of government whereby
the ownership of all the main economic resources
is in the hands of the community. Socialist
governments have a high priority for social welfare, and equality of income and wealth.
Fascism
This ideology was first developed by Benito Mussolini after he seized power in Italy in 1922.
Adolf Hitler later adopted a similar approach.
Fascism is based on strong centralised power
permitting no opposition or criticism. The political party in power controls all the affairs of the
nation and emphasises aggressive nationalism
and anticommunist ideas. Fascism is not based
on a set of beliefs but instead promotes certain
attitudes and types of behaviour.
Adolf Hitler’s first actions when he gained power in 1933
were to abolish individual freedom and make the Nazi Party
the only recognised political party.
ON
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Anarchy
Anarchy occurs
when the system
of
government
has broken down
and there are no
laws or the laws are no longer being enforced.
Recent examples of countries in a state of anarchy
were Ethiopia and Eritrea, before the intervention of the United Nations in 2000. During a civil
war a state of anarchy usually exists.
Time
trap
Understand
1. What is the difference between ‘democracy’ and
‘autocracy’?
2. The following jumbled words are four different
types of government. Unscramble each and then
write a sentence that explains the main
characteristics of this form of government.
(a) MSSAIOLCI
(b) MOUMNIMSC
(c) YUOATRCAC
(d) AACYRNH
Think
3. This question refers to the following story.
A farmer has two cows:
• Under communism the government takes both
cows, and gives the farmer some milk.
• Under socialism the government takes one
cow, and gives the farmer all the milk.
• Under fascism the government will take both
cows, and shoot the farmer if he complains.
• In a state of anarchy somebody will come
along, and shoot both cows and the farmer.
• In a democracy the farmer will sell one cow
and buy a bull.
(a) Why might the farmer and the cows be shot
in a state of anarchy?
(b) Under a communist government, why are the
cows taken by the government?
(c) Under a fascist government, why will the
farmer be shot if he complains?
(d) Under what form of government is the
farmer likely to be the most well off? Give
reasons for your answer.
Communicate
4. In small groups, look through newspapers and
use the Internet and locate five articles dealing
with a civil war conflict. Outline the cause(s) of
one of the present conflicts.
Use ICT
5. Go to www.jaconline.com.au/essentials/
humanities1 and click on the Amnesty
International weblink for this chapter.
(a) What is the main role of Amnesty International?
(b) Why do you think Amnesty International
uses a candle and barbed wire as its symbol?
(c) Investigate whether Amnesty International
has ever criticised Australia’s human rights
record. Explain the issue and the position
adopted by Amnesty International.
(d) Read about one country Amnesty
International is currently campaigning against.
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In 1990, the
Myanmar military
regime overturned an
election result that
saw about 80 per
cent of votes go
to the opposition
party led by the
charismatic Aung
San Suu Kyi.
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www.jaconline.com.au/ict-me
Internet search
12.4
STRUCTURE OF GOVERNMENT
FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL
On 1 January 1901, the Commonwealth of Australia was formed. Before this, Australia consisted
of six colonies, under the control of the British
monarch. Each had its own form of government
and set of laws. When they became a federation,
the colonies — now called states — agreed to hand
over some powers to a central government. Under
the new arrangements, Australia was to be a constitutional monarchy, with three levels of government — federal (or central), state and local.
LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT
RESPONSIBILITY
Our collective wants are satisfied by one of three
levels of government. While each level of government specialises in its area of control, there is a
large degree of interdependence. This is necessary
to meet the needs of all Australian citizens.
CIVICS
The responsibilities of the Federal Government are set out in the
Australian Constitution. Generally speaking, the Federal
Government controls those things which affect all of us.
Defence — the
armed forces —
a major federal
government
responsibility
Australia’s constitution, which took effect
upon Federation, sets out the rules and principles for governing Australia. It outlines the
powers of the Federal Parliament, and some
powers of state parliaments. (States also have
their own constitutions.)
The main method for changing the constitution
is by referendum — a direct vote by all
eligible voters on an issue.
Taxation
(income tax, company tax, customs and excise duties)
Education
(universities
Education
and colleges,
(primary and secondary schools, teacher training)
aid to schools)
Law and order
Transport
(police force,
Development
(state roads,
Transport
crime control,
(national
Minor
roads
railways)
(aviation,
accident
projects)
Parks
and
sporting
ovals
shipping)
prevention)
Rubbish collection
Health (hospitals,
Antarctica
Swimming pools
Development
nursing services)
Street lighting
Communication
(land sales,
Foreign affairs
Baby health centres
building projects)
(wars, treaties,
Kindergartens
Local
Trade
ambassadors)
Aboriginal
government
(exports and
welfare
imports, duties
Housing
Aboriginal welfare
Environment
and tariffs)
Services
protection
(such as electricity)
Defence (armed
Health
forces)
(Medicare, drug control)
Immigration
(policy on and
assistance to
migrants)
Federal
State
Local
Social security
(old-age and other pensions, unemployment benefits)
There is some degree of overlap
between the federal and state
governments regarding the
responsibilities of health and
education.
Health — a major state
government responsibility
This level of government is
responsible for the specific
needs of the citizens in a city,
town or shire.
274
Garbage collection —
a major local government
responsibility
HUMANITIES 1
Responsibilities of
the three levels of
government
ICT
State
• There are two houses of Federal
Parliament — an upper house (the
Senate) and a lower house (the
House of Representatives).
• The Prime Minister is the head of
government.
• Ministers are appointed to look after
particular government portfolios.
• The Cabinet, which includes the Prime
Minister and a group of senior
ministers, makes the key government
decisions.
• The Governor-General represents the
British monarch as head of state.
• Victoria (along with each of
Australia’s other five states and two
territories) has its own parliament.
• There are two houses of state
parliament — an upper house (the
Legislative Council) and a lower
house (the Legislative Assembly).
• The process of government is
similar to that of the Federal
Government.
• The head of the government is the
Premier.
• The head of state is the Governor.
• There are about
900 government bodies
in Australia (usually called
councils).
• Council members are
called aldermen or
councillors.
• The head of the council is
called a mayor or a shire
president.
• They operate under state
government legislation.
• They make rules, called
by-laws, on local issues.
The three levels of government in Australia
Understand
1. What happened in Australia at Federation?
2. In which document are the responsibilities of
the Federal Government set out?
3. Which level or levels of government are involved
in the following situations?
(a) Your car is stolen so you use your mobile to
phone the police.
(b) You write a letter thanking the staff for
repairing the swings in the park.
(c) You email your income tax return to your
accountant.
(d) You need a passport to travel overseas.
Think
Look carefully at the diagram of government
responsibilities on the opposite page.
4. List five responsibilities of:
(a) Federal Government
(b) state governments
(c) local governments.
You may wish to create a database to record the
information.
5. Find an area of responsibility shared across the
three levels of government and explain the way
in which responsibilities are broken up.
6. Why do you think the Federal Government is
responsible for defence and immigration?
Communicate
7. Find out the names and addresses of your
federal and state members of parliament and
your local councillor. (You may need to ask older
people in your family.) Use the Internet,
newspapers and information from electoral
offices to find out more about these people.
Share your answer with other class members.
8. Look at the areas of responsibility of each level
of government shown in the diagram on the
opposite page. Decide one thing you would like
your political representatives (at each of the
three levels) to do to improve the way Australia
is governed. Compose three letters, one to each
representative, setting out your request and
explaining why you think it is important. You
may wish to use a word-processing package to
write the letters.
9. Work in small groups to create a colourful poster
of the three levels of government in Australia.
Find as many pictures, newspaper headlines and
brief articles as you can. You may wish to use
computer graphics software to design the poster.
Display your completed posters in the
classroom.
Worksheets
12.2 Parliament House mini-guide
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Database
12.5
TWO HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT
There are two houses in the
Federal Parliament — the House
of Representatives (the lower
house) and the Senate (the upper
house). The House of Representatives is often called the people’s
house and the Senate is known as
the states’ house.
Government
ministers
Clerk
Speaker
Deputy Clerk
Opposition
shadow
ministers
HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES
The House of Representatives
has 150 members, elected for
three years. Each represents an
electoral division of Australia. All divisions have
roughly the same number of
electors — around 81 000.
The political party (or the
coalition) that wins the most
House of Representative seats in
a federal election forms the
government. That party’s leader
(or the leader of the dominant
Government
party in a coalition) becomes the
backbenchers
Prime Minister. The Prime Minister chooses others from the
party or coalition as ministers.
They can be either members of
the House of Representatives or senators. A
minister usually looks after one government department (for example, the Department of the Treasury)
and, sometimes, semi-government organisations as
well (such as the CSIRO). A group of senior ministers meets with the Prime Minister in Cabinet to
make the key decisions of government.
The party (or coalition) winning the next
highest number of seats forms the Opposition.
The leader of that party (or the dominant party
in a coalition) becomes the Leader of the Opposition. He or she selects a shadow minister to
match each government minister and a Shadow
Cabinet. Shadow ministers watch what their
opposite numbers do in government, and criticise
them when necessary. They sit on front
benches in the house, facing the front bench
seats of government ministers.
Opposition
backbenchers
Prime
Minister
Hansard
reporter/s
Leader of the
Opposition
The House of Representatives chamber
SENATE
There are 76 senators — 12 senators representing each state and two representing each territory. State senators serve for six years, and
territory senators for three years.
At any one time, half the state senators are
nearing the end of their six-year term in office.
The other half have been in the job less than three
years. Senate elections in the states are generally
‘half-Senate elections’. This means that only the
seats of those nearing the end of their six-year
term are contested. This mix is achieved because
whenever there is a full-Senate election (that is,
after a double dissolution of Parliament), half
the senators are elected for only three years.
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The Senate’s main job is to act as a ‘house of
review’. It checks what the House of Representatives is trying to do. It tries to ensure that the
interests of the states, and the rights of all Australians, are protected. This way, it keeps a check
on government power.
Leader of the
government in the
Senate
Clerk
President
Deputy Clerk
Understand
1. Describe the difference between the Prime
Minister and the Leader of the Opposition.
2. What is the main role of the
Senate?
Leader of the
3.
Explain what a half-Senate
Opposition in
the Senate
election is.
Think
4. List as many similarities and
differences as you can
between the chambers (or
rooms) of the two houses of
Parliament.
5. Who are the backbenchers?
Suggest why they are so
named.
6. Work out approximately
how many people in
Australia are on the electoral
roll. (Hint: There are
150 electoral divisions.)
Design and create
7. Use the information in this
spread to draw a labelled
diagram of the House of
Representatives chamber.
Government
senators
Government
Whip
Hansard reporters
Dig deeper
8. Find out the name of the
current speaker of the
House of Representatives
and President of the Senate.
Opposition and
other nongovernment
senators
Opposition
Whip
The Senate chamber
SKILLS essentials
The Nationals
Labor Party
Look for the
high numbers.
50
21
6
21
Vic.
37
16
2
19
Qld
28
17
4
6
WA
15
10
—
5
SA
11
8
—
3
Tas.
5
2
—
3
ACT
2
—
NT
2

—

—
—

—
—

—
—

—
Look for the
low numbers.
Look for trends
or patterns.
Look for
unusual data.
Total
150
1*
75
* Country Liberal Party
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—
2
—
1
12
60
Independents
Liberal Party
Look at the table and answer these
questions.
1. Which state has the fewest federal
seats?
2. Which party won the most seats
throughout Australia?
3. In which states did independents win
seats?
4. In which state were all seats won by
the same party?
5. In which states did the Labor Party
win more seats than the Liberal
Party?
Greens
No. of seats
NSW
Interpret a table
Democrats
State/territory
House of Representatives seats won in the 2004 federal election
—
—
2
—
—
—
1
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
3
12.6
POLITICAL PARTIES
Political parties are groups of people who band
together because they share the same views
about issues they think are important. Political
parties in Australia range from traditional
organisations to special interest groups. They
work hard to promote their ideas and encourage
members of the public to join them. Their main
aim is to get candidates elected to Parliament.
This way, they can try to influence the decisions
of government.
Before putting up a candidate, a party must be
registered with the Australian Electoral Commission. This means it has to have at least 500 eligible voters as members and at least one member
already in Parliament (federal, state or territory).
Not all candidates belong to a political party.
Some may be independents.
The party believes in rewarding individual
effort. Its main aims are to:
• encourage the growth of Australian businesses
• raise the living standard of all Australians,
and promote the importance of the family
• cut back on government spending and government interference in society.
THE NATIONALS
Once called the Country Party, The Nationals
was formed in 1914. It mainly represents the
interests of people living in areas outside the
capital cities. Its main aims are to:
• encourage economic growth, particularly exports
• encourage small business growth, especially in
rural areas
• reduce government interference in society
• secure better access to services and infrastructure in rural areas.
THE LIBERAL PARTY OF
AUSTRALIA
The Liberal Party of Australia was founded by
Sir Robert Menzies in 1944. Menzies won
government in 1949. He remained as prime
minister for 17 years, longer than any other
Australian prime minister. In coalition with
the National Party of Australia, the Liberal
Party has governed Australia for 40 of
the last 56 years. The Liberal Party
has generally relied on a strong and
successful leader. A leader who loses an
election is rarely retained.
Sir Robert Menzies
AUSTRALIAN LABOR PARTY
The Australian Labor Party, the oldest political
party in Australia, was formed in the 1890s.
Unemployment was then high and living conditions were harsh so workers banded together.
They wanted to try to change things by having a
say in government. This background has meant
that trade unions have always had strong
links with the Labor Party.
The party believes that government has a
responsibility to look after its people. Its
main aims are to:
• ensure wealth and power are more evenly
and fairly shared in society
• make sure everyone who wants to work
can find a job
• abolish poverty and improve the living
standards of all Australians
• ensure that all Australians can obtain the
education, housing and community services
they need.
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• to promote initiatives that will assist families
achieve a good standard of living
• to assist families build a safe and secure future
by putting within their reach affordable
health, education and housing.
Bob Hawke,
Australia’s
longest
serving
Labor prime
minister
AUSTRALIAN DEMOCRATS
In 1977 Don Chipp — a former Liberal Party
minister — set up the Australian Democrats.
The Australian Democrats have held the balance of power in the Senate many times. This
means that their vote can make a decision go one
way or the other. This happens because neither the
Liberal Party nor the Labor Party has ever had
enough senators to form a majority.
The Australian Democrats’ main aims are to:
• represent ordinary citizens
• protect the environment
• support equal rights for all citizens.
Understand
1. What is a political party?
2. What does ‘forming a coalition’ mean? Give an
example.
3. What aims do the Democrats and the Greens
have in common?
4. Why do you think the Liberal Party forms a
coalition with The Nationals and not, say, the
Labor Party?
5. Explain why a party or an individual who holds
the balance of power in the Senate is so
powerful.
6. Describe the logos of each of the main political
parties. Take particular note of the symbols used,
and the colours.
Think
7. The following table sets out the number of
House of Representatives seats that might be
won at three elections in the future. Assume the
Liberal–National coalition is disbanded in 2018.
Assume also that none of the other parties
formed coalitions.
THE AUSTRALIAN GREENS
The Australian Greens (The Greens) is a progressive, national party founded on four main
principles: ecological sustainability, social and
economic justice, peace and nonviolence, and
grassroots democracy. The Australian Greens
was formed in 1992 and has elected representatives at all levels of government. It is a
member-centred party, with all decisions
made by consensus.
FAMILY FIRST PARTY
The Family First Party emerged as a new force in
Australian politics during the 2004 election, winning a Victorian Senate seat. Its federal leader is
Steve Fielding. The party’s strong vote was to the
cost of the Australian Democrats who have previously held the balance of power in the Senate.
The main aims of the Family First Party are:
• to support legislation which will result in the
health, welfare and unity of families in Australia
Year
Liberal
Party
Labor
Party
The
Nationals
Other
parties
2013
46
66
23
13
2016
32
64
29
20
2019
43
66
25
14
(a) Why did the Labor Party, which won the most
seats, not win the 2013 election?
(b) How many seats did the Liberal–National
coalition lose in the 2016 election?
(c) Who won the 2019 election? Why?
Communicate
8. Form small groups. Discuss what your group’s
aims would be for Australia if you were a political
party. Decide why these are important.
Think of a name for your party and a logo.
Use this information to design an advertising
poster for your party. You may wish to use
computer graphics software to design the poster.
Worksheets
12.3 Australia’s political leaders
12.4 Draw a political cartoon
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Computer graphics
12.7
CITIZENSHIP: RIGHTS AND
RESPONSIBILITIES
A citizen is someone who lives as part of a community and therefore has certain rights and responsibilities. There are some rights that we tend to take
for granted, such as freedom of speech. Some
responsibilities, like voting, may be seen as ‘just
things you have to do’. An active citizen not only
knows his or her rights and responsibilities — and
how important they are — but also looks for opportunities to be involved. Active citizens play a vital
role in improving the way we are governed.
As Australian citizens, we have the right to
expect our government to protect us and to help
improve the quality of our lives. In a democracy,
we also have the right to a number of personal
freedoms. As active citizens, we have an obligation
to contribute to the community by taking part in
the political and legal processes in this country.
the public service. You also have the right to trial
by jury and to be protected from discrimination.
Another very important right you possess is
the right to decide how you want to be governed.
Some of the ways this right is exercised are
shown in the illustration below.
Right to vote in
an election or a
referendum
Right to
become part
of a pressure
group or a
lobby group
Right to express
a political opinion in
public or in writing
Right to join
and participate
in a union
Citizen
Jane
Right to take
part in a
demonstration
or public
meeting
Right to strike
or to boycott a
product or service
Right to make
representations
to politicians
and government
bodies
Right to stand
for election to
Parliament or a
local council
Right to approach
the media to make
a grievance known
Right to become
a member of a
political party
Your rights to decide how you will be governed
One right that all Australian citizens have is the freedom of
protest. In 2003, demonstrations were held across Australia
to protest against the war in Iraq.
YOUR RIGHTS
As an Australian citizen, you enjoy a number of
basic rights, such as freedom of speech, freedom
of protest and freedom of religion. You can leave
the country whenever you wish (provided you
have a passport) and can apply when you are older
to work in the armed services, the police force or
YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES
Two of your responsibilities as an Australian
citizen over the age of 18 are to register yourself
on the electoral roll, and to vote in federal, state
and local elections. An active citizen will always
ensure that his or her vote counts — that it is a
formal vote, and carefully considered.
You are also obliged to pay your taxes, obey the
laws of the land and serve as part of a jury if
asked. In times of war, you may be asked to
defend your country.
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HUMANITIES 1
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Design and create
6. Make a collage that illustrates the rights and
responsibilities of individuals in the democratic
process.
Understand
1. List three rights and three responsibilities you
have as a citizen.
Communicate
7. Write a story of what it would be like to live in a
country where your rights are denied. You may
wish to use desktop publishing software to
present the story with text and graphics.
Think
2. Explain the difference between a right
and a responsibility.
3. List the responsibilities you
have as a member
of your class.
Teamwork
8. As a class, discuss the topic: ‘Young people have
too many rights and forget their responsibilities’.
9. In small groups, discuss what you think would
happen to a democracy like Australia if its
people did not meet their obligations as citizens.
Select a spokesperson to present your group’s
ideas to the rest of the class.
SKILLS essentials
Internet research
Each year about 70 000 new settlers become
Australian citizens. Citizenship ceremonies are
generally organised by local governments.
Go to www.jaconline.com.au/essentials/
humanities1 and click on the Australian
Citizenship weblink for this chapter and then
answer the following questions.
1. Why is citizenship important?
2. Discuss what becoming an Australian citizen
means to people.
3. Write out the Australian citizenship pledge.
4. Outline how a new settler can become an
Australian citizen.
5. When was the first annual Australian
Citizenship Day celebrated? What is the
purpose of the day?
Rights are exercised and
infringed every day.
4. Study the illustration above. Attempt to find
examples where citizens are exercising or trying
to exercise the following rights:
(a) The right to freedom of protest
(b) The right to freedom of religion
(c) The right to freedom of speech
(d) The right to vote in elections
(e) The right to privacy
(f) The right to safety
5. Using the illustration, find as many situations as
possible where someone’s rights are being
infringed. In each case, state what right is being
interfered with.
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Check & Challenge
K NOW LEDGE
1. Answer true or false to the following statements.
(a) Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels developed
fascism.
(b) The Australian Constitution contains the
rules by which we are governed.
(c) King Henry signed the Magna Carta in 1215.
(d) The system of government in which a king or
queen has absolute power is known as a
constitutional monarchy.
(e) England was the first state to develop the
system of parliament.
(f) Autocracy occurs when the system of
government has broken down and there are
no laws or the laws are no longer being
enforced.
(g) Australia is a republic.
(h) The head of the state government is the
Governor-General.
(i) The Australian Labor Party is the oldest
political party in Australia.
(j) The democratic system of government
originated in Ancient Greece during the fifth
century BC.
2. Rank the following types of government from
most representative to least representative. Give
reasons to support your ranking.
Fascism
Monarchy
Anarchy
Constitutional monarchy
REP RE SENTA TIVE
D EMOC RA C Y
1. List as many features as you can of a
representative democracy.
2. What are the three levels of government in
Australia?
3. List three responsibilities of each level of
government.
4. In pairs, complete the following:
(a) How many members currently make up
(i) the House of Representatives and
(ii) the Senate?
(b) What is the name of the Prime Minister?
(c) To which political party does this person
belong?
(d) Name the federal electorate in which your
school is located.
(e) Who is the representative for this electorate?
(f) To which political party does this person
belong?
To help you, go to www.jaconline.com.au/
essentials/humanities1 and click on the
Parliamentary Education Office weblink for this
chapter.
5. Look at the graph below, which records the
number of House of Representatives seats won
by different political parties at a federal election.
Who will form the government? (Remember to
allow for the Liberal–National coalition.)
Labor Party
Liberal Party
The Nationals
Democrats
Independents
0
10
20
30
40
50
Number of seats
60
70
House of Representatives — seats won
6. List four problems that could arise if only one
person has absolute power to make laws. Share
your answer with other class members.
7. Explain how voting is a right and a responsibility
of Australian citizens.
8. Elaborate upon the following statement: ‘The
right to a secret ballot vote is the greatest
freedom an individual can possess’.
PO L I TI CAL BE L I E FS
1. Copy into your notebook the following scale.
Place a cross where you feel your political beliefs
lie with regard to the two main political parties.
Write a paragraph outlining your reasons for the
location of the cross on the scale.
Totally agree
with Labor
Party’s policies
Totally agree
with Liberal
Party’s policies
2. Imagine you were a commoner in one of the
early English parliaments. Prepare a one-minute
speech outlining why the parliament rather than
the monarch should have the right to make laws.
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HUMANITIES 1
80
PEOP L E A ND P OLITICS
1. Select two people from the twentieth century
who had absolute power. Prepare a one-page
report on these individuals. Your report should
contain the following information:
(a) how they organised their power
(b) why they had such power
(c) how they exercised (used) their power.
Some examples to research could include
Stalin, Hitler, Mussolini, Pol Pot or Mao Zedong.
2. The photographs below show William Hughes,
John Curtin, Dame Enid Lyons, Robert Hawke,
Ben Chifley, Sir Robert Menzies and John
Howard. Match the names to the letters on the
photographs. Investigate and prepare a one(a)
page report on the lives of three of these people
describing why they are important to Australia’s
political history.
YO U R OW N VI EWPO I N T
1. Imagine that you have formed your own political
party. Write and deliver a one-minute speech
describing the policies you would adopt if you
were elected to government.
2. People often complain about the government.
Have you ever heard people saying things such
as: ‘Why doesn’t the government do something’,
or ‘No matter how we vote a politician is always
elected’ or ‘Politicians never listen to us’. Do you
think these comments are justified? Why?
(b)
(c)
(d)
(g)
(f)
(e)
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