Three principles of the Australian parliamentary system

[TAP94]

Hi guys,

I was just wondering if you could help me with trying to tie together all the related content to the three principles of our parliamentary system (representative and responsible government and the separation of powers) into 2/3 mark answers - should basic questions like the ones below arise on the exam.

My answers are:

Explain the principle of representative government. (2 marks)
Representative government refers to a government which characterises the views of the majority of the people. This concept is based on a democratic system, whereby the government consists of representatives of the people, as chosen by the people. Furthermore, the principle of representative government is established in the Commonwealth Constitution; which requires the members of the Senate and the House of Representatives to be chosen directly by the people (section 7 and 24 respectively).

Explain the principle of responsible government. (2 marks)
Responsible government refers to the government's accountability to voters and parliament for its actions. A democratically elected government must be answerable and accountable to parliament, and therefore the people, for its actions. S53 of the COmmonwealth Constitution gives legal recognition for the principle of responsible government. As well, the government is chosen by having the support of the Lower House, and if the government loses the confidence or support of parliament, then it must resign.

Explain the principle of separation of powers. (2 marks)
Separation of powers refers to the three separate types of powers in our parliamentary system - separation of judicial (exercised by the courts), executive (exercised by the government) and legislative (exercised by parliament) functions so that no one body holds absolute control. Therefore, the power to govern the country is split into three separate branches - with the legislative and executive powers combined and the judicial power kept completely separate. Thus, this principle helps to protect individual liberty by providing checks and balances on the power of the Commonwealth Parliament and ensure a system of democracy.

Are they okay or should I be doing something different?

Thanks

[meganrobyn]

I think it's done well.

Just, apart from the word 'characterises', which isn't the right word for the context. Perhaps 'reflects'? Rep govt is also about electing reps to govern on our behalf, and it's only because of this need to gain the majority vote that laws are generally made to please the majority, so I'd switch your first and second sentences, because the democratic function is the primary definition.

Oh, and you just need to pop in what each arm *does* for the SoP!

But nothing major - done well!

[TAP94]

YAY Thankyou so much....oh and just quickly, I am confused as to whether we need to know the advantages and disadvantages of the DoP because in the 2010 exam a question asking to "critically examine two strength of the DoP" came up and I haven't learnt that this year...Should we know them??
Thanks!

[meganrobyn]

YAY Thankyou so much....oh and just quickly, I am confused as to whether we need to know the advantages and disadvantages of the DoP because in the 2010 exam a question asking to "critically examine two strength of the DoP" came up and I haven't learnt that this year...Should we know them??
Thanks!

Yes yes yes! Absolutely. How does each part of the DoP allow the courts to make/change the law; how does each part potentially limit.

[michak]

YAY Thankyou so much....oh and just quickly, I am confused as to whether we need to know the advantages and disadvantages of the DoP because in the 2010 exam a question asking to "critically examine two strength of the DoP" came up and I haven't learnt that this year...Should we know them??
Thanks!

Yes yes yes! Absolutely. How does each part of the DoP allow the courts to make/change the law; how does each part potentially limit.

What kind of strengths and weaknesses could you mention for such a question? thanks