Brainstorm for secondary students

These questions and answers are of a general nature and cover key concepts of political and legal systems.

Teachers can use these questions for units of work relating to democracy and elections to help gauge the level of knowledge amongst students.

These questions and answers are written for a year 7 reading level.

For simpler brainstorm questions, view brainstorm for primary students.

Who is an Australian citizen?

You are automatically granted Australian citizenship if, when you were born, at least one of your parents was either:

• an Australian citizen
• a permanent resident in Australia.

You can also apply to become an Australian citizen.

What are some rights and responsibilities of citizens in a democratic government?

As an Australian citizen you can:

• vote in federal and state or territory elections
• vote in referendums
• apply for children born overseas to be  Australian citizens by descent
• apply for a job in the Australian Public Service or in the Australian Defence Force
• seek election to parliament
• apply for an Australian passport and re-enter Australia freely
• ask for consular assistance from an Australian official while overseas.

As an Australian citizen you must:

• obey the laws of Australia
• enrol and vote in federal, state or territory elections, and in referendums
• defend Australia should the need arise
• serve on a jury if called to do so.

Australia’s democratic beliefs, freedoms, equalities and values:

• commitment to parliamentary democracy
• commitment to the rule of law
• living peacefully
• respect for all individuals regardless of background
• freedom of speech and expression
• freedom of association
• freedom of religion and secular government
• equality of men and women
• equality of opportunity and a 'fair go'
• mutual respect and tolerance for others
• compassion for those in need.

What is freedom of speech in Australia?

Australians are free to say or write what we think about any topic, as long as we follow the law.

We do not censor the media and we’re allowed to criticise the government without fear of being arrested.

Free speech must come from facts, not rumours. It also needs to be constructive and not intended to hurt anyone.

We have laws to protect a person's reputation against false information.

We also have laws against saying or writing things to encourage hatred against others because of their ethnicity, culture or religious beliefs.

Freedom of speech is not an excuse to harm others.

What is freedom of the media?

Freedom of the press (or freedom of the media) is when the government guarantees that free public speech also applies to members of news organisations and what they publish. It also extends to how they gather information for public consumption.

It is the freedom to print or publish without the government interfering.

What is civilian control of the military?

Civilian control of the military means that going to war or making peace is a decision for our democratically elected officials, not military generals.

What is a legal system?

A legal system is how we create, interpret and enforce the laws in a jurisdiction. In Australia there are 2 levels of judicial courts:

The Federal Judicature

Our Constitution establishes a judicial branch for the Commonwealth called 'The Judicature'. It:

• establishes the High Court of Australia
• empowers the Commonwealth Parliament to create other federal courts and vest federal judicial power in state and territory courts.

There are 4 principal federal courts:

• The High Court
• The Federal Court of Australia
• The Family Court
• The Federal Magistrates Court of Australia

State and territory courts

Australian state and territory courts decide cases brought under state or territory laws. They also decide cases under federal laws.

Most criminal matters, whether arising under Commonwealth, state or territory law, are dealt with by state or territory courts.

The state and territory courts are:

• The Supreme Courts
• state intermediate courts
• state and territory courts of summary jurisdiction

What is a political system?

A political system involves relationships between institutions and the rules that govern them.

Institutions include political organisations and interest groups such as trade unions and lobby groups.

The Australian Constitution established a federal system of government. Under this system, powers are distributed between a national government (the Commonwealth) and the 6 states.

The Constitution defines the boundaries of law-making powers between them.

The 3 territories - the ACT, the Northern Territory, and Norfolk Island - have self-government systems.

What does ‘common good’ mean?

To promote the common good means to benefit members of society.

Helping the common good means helping all people, or at least the vast majority of them.

The common good means making sure social systems, institutions, and environments work in a way that benefits all people.

What does transparent government mean?

Transparent government means that our political systems are open and accountable.

It includes:

• holding public officials and members of parliament accountable and free from corruption
• freedom of the media
• freedom of speech
• government meetings, such as when parliament sits, are held in the open for the press and the public to attend
• publishing official documents such as the budget so anyone can review them
• publishing laws and policy decisions so anyone can view and discuss them without fear of negative consequences.

Transparent government reduces the chance people in power can abuse the system for their own gain.

What is accountable government?

Accountable, or responsible government, means a government that governs with the people’s consent. The government is held accountable at election time and can be replaced if the public thinks it should be.

It also means the Ministers must account to Parliament for their policy decisions and for their department’s performance.

What is secular government?

‘Secularism’ is a separation of religion from civic affairs and the state

A secular country or state is officially neutral when it comes to religion.

This means that secular states don’t:

• support a specific religion
• mandate having no religion
• have an official religion.

A secular government doesn’t interfere with religion and its activities. Faith plays no role in law and government policy making.

A secular government neither discriminates nor favours people based on their religious beliefs.