Year 8 Civics and

Citizenship
Test Revision
When: Monday 27 August in your Year 8 class.
Weighting: 15% of Term 3

Topic: Democracy and law in action:

• Democratic values including respect, equality, fairness and freedom.
• The freedoms that enable active participation in Australia's democracy within the bounds of law,
including freedom of speech, association, assembly, religion and movement.
• Australia’s system of government: democracy and constitutional monarchy.
• How citizens can participate in Australia's democracy, including use of the electoral system, contact
with their elected representatives, use of lobby groups and direct action.
• How laws are made in Australia through parliaments (statutory law)
• Types of law in Australia, including criminal law, civil law and customary law and definitions.

Reading Time: 5 minutes

Working Time: 50 minutes

Structure of the Assessment:

Multiple choice questions
• Short answer
• Source analysis and diagrams
Democratic Values
1. Respect – treating others with consideration and valuing
their views, beliefs and rights
2. Equality – rights and privileges for all, without discrimination
based on gender, race, religion, age, sexual orientation or
level of education; all citizens have the right to the same
opportunities
3. Fairness – all people are treated fairly, or without injustice,
and are given equal opportunity; also known as a ‘fair go’ in
Australia
4. Freedom – rights, privileges and responsibilities for all
without interference or control from other citizens or
government
Rights and Freedoms
A RIGHT is the belief that human beings have certain freedoms simply
because they are human and these freedoms should be protected by law.
Example:
 I have a right to express my own opinions without fear of being
attacked.
 I have the right to food and water in order to survive.
 I have the right to be treated with respect.
A FREEDOM is the ability to do or be something without being limited,
constrained or forced by something else.
Example : I am free to breath, I am free to care about someone, I am free
to run. But, I can be unfree if:
 I am stopped breathing by polluted air.
 I am in prison and can’t see my loved ones.
 I have a broken leg and can’t run.
Rights and Freedoms in Australia
1. Speech - is the right of the people to express their opinions publicly
without government interference, subject to the laws against libel,
incitement to violence or rebellion, and others
2. Association - the right to form and join associations to pursue common
goals.
3. Movement - the right of individuals to travel from place to place within
the territory of a country, and to leave the country and return to it.
4. Religion - is allowed in practice and protected to varying degrees
through the constitution and legislation at the Federal, State and
Territory level. Australia is a secular country with legislated separation
of church and state and with no state religion
5. Assembly - the right of individuals and groups to meet and to engage in
peaceful protest.
Limits to Rights and Freedoms
1. Rights and Freedoms: many of our rights are protected by law
and these laws are made by our government.
2. Democracy: if a democracy is to work, the citizens (voters)
need to have certain basic rights and freedoms, such as
freedom of speech and the right to criticise government or vote
for whom they want in power.
3. Limits: many rights and freedoms have been limited by
government due to their abuse (by people who don’t
understand them) or due to fears like fear of criminal activity,
danger to society through prejudice, and terrorism.
4. Consequences: the more government limits our rights and
freedoms, the more democracy is under threat and cannot work
as well. Once certain rights are limited or taken away, they are
hard to get back.
Democracy
1. From a Greek word meaning “Power in the hands
of the people”
2. Is a system of government in which the people
have a say about how they are governed.
3. In Australia we have a representative democracy.
This is a system in which the people vote for
delegates to represent their interests in a
parliament.
Australia’s system of government
Australia is both a representative democracy and a
constitutional monarchy.
1. A representative democracy is a system in which the
people vote for delegates to represent their interests in a
parliament. In Australia, members of parliament are
elected to the Senate or the House of Representatives to
represent the Australian people and make laws on their
behalf.
2. A constitutional monarchy is a system in which a king or
queen is the head of state, but must act in accordance with
a constitution. In Australia, the powers of the Queen have
been delegated to her representative, the Governor-
General.
The role of the Governor-General
 The Governor-General is the Queen's representative in Australia. They are
appointed by the Queen on the advice of the Prime Minister, usually for a term
of five years. The Australian Constitution sets out some of the duties of the
Governor-General, which include:
 giving royal assent (final approval) to a bill passed by the Parliament
 starting the process for a federal election
 appointing times for sessions of Parliament to be held
 acting as Commander-in-Chief of the defence forces.
 The Governor-General also performs ceremonial roles such as delivering a
speech at the opening of a new federal Parliament, swearing-in the Prime
Minister and ministers, and meeting foreign heads of state and ambassadors.
The Governor-General also performs many civic duties throughout Australia.
Citizen Participation in Government: Voting
 The most direct way a citizen can participate in government is through
voting.
 At least every three years, Australians vote to elect people to represent
them in the Parliament. This is the most direct way that Australians are
involved in their Parliament.
 If the people of Australia do not like the actions of a government, they
have a chance to elect new representatives in both the Senate and House
of Representatives.
 Australians can enrol to vote once they turn 16, although they can’t vote
until they turn 18. With the right to vote comes the responsibility to make
an informed decision.
 You can do that by learning about Parliament and taking an interest in
candidates, including your current representatives in Parliament. You can
analyse their decisions and policies and decide if they are doing what
you want.
Citizen Participation in Government:
Contacting members of parliament
 Australians can write to or email members of parliament
at any time. You can contact your federal member or
senators about things that are important to you.
 Alternatively, if you have a view about a particular
subject (such as health, education or the environment)
you can contact the government minister responsible for
that area.
 Postal addresses, phone numbers and email addresses of
all members of parliament are available on the Parliament
House website.
Citizen Participation in Government:
Petitions
 Members of the public can raise matters of importance to
them and influence decisions made in Parliament by
starting or signing a petition.
 This is a request by a group of citizens for Parliament to
take note of and perhaps solve a particular problem. It is
the oldest way that individuals or groups can ask the
Parliament to take action on an issue.
 The petition contains a list of signatures of people who
support that request. It is then formally presented to the
Parliament and entered into the parliamentary records
Citizen Participation in Government:
Committees
 Parliamentary committees are another way that Australians can directly
involve themselves in the decisions of the Parliament.
 A committee is usually made up of six to ten members of parliament who
investigate a matter that the Parliament considers important. This may be the
subject of a bill (proposed law) or a particular issue.
 Parliamentary committees investigate community attitudes by inviting the
public, organisations and experts to give their opinion on the bill or issue. Any
member of the public can write to the committee to express their views and
provide information which may be helpful to the committee.
 After considering these written submissions, the committee may choose to
hear further from members of the public, asking them to expand on the
information they have already given.
 The committee will then write a report which will be presented to the
Parliament. The report may recommend that the government take some
course of action based on their findings.
Citizen Participation in Government:
Public meetings and protests
 Australians who are concerned about an issue can organise
a public meeting or protest about that issue. They may
invite members of parliament to attend their public
meetings to hear what the people have to say, or answer
questions from the public.
 Media coverage of these meetings and protests may then
put pressure on the Parliament to act on the issue.
 People can also express their opinion by participating in
online forums and discussions, writing a letter to the
newspaper or calling up talk-back radio.
Citizen Participation in Government:
Observing Parliament
 As well as these direct means for Australians to engage in Parliament, there
are many ways for the public to observe and keep up to date with the
Parliament.
 The work of the House of Representatives and the Senate is always open for
the public to watch, as is much of the work of parliamentary committees.
 You can watch Parliament in action on television or via the internet at
www.aph.gov.au.
 The press gallery in Parliament House report on the work of the Parliament
through print and broadcast media.
 Many members of parliament also use social media to directly communicate
to the public about their work.
Citizen Participation in Government:
Pressure groups and lobby groups
 Pressure groups are a specific sector within interest
groups. These organisations use persistent and coercive
techniques to affect policy and influence policy makers.
 Pressure groups are always political in nature and are
generally advocacy or lobbying firms or organisations.
 Lobby groups are campaign groups, interest groups, or
special interest groups that use various forms of advocacy
in order to influence public opinion and/or policy.
 They have played and continue to play an important part in
the development of political and social systems.
Laws and Bills
1. Laws are rules that help manage our society; they define how people and
organisations are expected to behave.
2. In Australia, the federal Parliament is responsible for making and changing
laws about national issues.
3. A bill is a proposal for a new law or to change an old law.
4. For a bill to be passed, it must be agreed to by a majority vote in both
houses. A bill may debated, and also be sent to a parliamentary committee
for further investigation before being voted on by the Parliament and is then
signed by the Governor-General. It is then called an Act of Parliament.
5. The process of turning a bill into a law is as follows:
1. A member of parliament begins the process of introducing a bill. The bill is
debated and voted on after three readings. If it succeeds it is sent to the Senate.
2. The Senate repeats this process and either makes changes to the bill and sends it
back to the H of R or votes on it. If it succeeds it is sent to the Governor-General.
3. The GG receives the bill and gives his/her agreement (assent) which turns the bill
into a law and an Act of Parliament.
Overview: How do laws get made?
The bill must go through three main stages:
1. A member of parliament begins the process of
introducing a bill. The bill is debated and voted
on. If it succeeds it is sent to the Senate.
2. The Senate repeats this process and either makes
changes to the bill and sends it back to the H of R
or votes on it. If it succeeds it is sent to the
Governor-General.
3. The GG receives the bill and gives his/her
agreement (assent) which turns the bill into a law
and an Act of Parliament.
How a bill becomes a law
Step What happens
1. House of • Bill is introduced by any member (MP)
Representatives • Three readings in total
• After the second reading there is debate and
committees to check and improve if necessary
• Vote on bill-sent to Senate if successful

2. The Senate • Three readings and debate again

• Debate and committees to check and improve/amend if
necessary
• Vote on bill: if not passed, sent back to HoR, if passed,
sent to GG

3. Governor- • Checks the law

General • Refuses or accepts (assent)
• Bill becomes a law (Act of Parliament)
Making bills into laws:
C Level
(Topic) Before a bill becomes a law it has to
pass through three important stages, which
help to make it a more fair and just law.
(Explanation) The three stage process is
very important because it will make the bill
better or more acceptable to more people.
(Evidence) A bill has to be read three
times, debated and voted on before it is
acceptable to the House of
Representatives. It has to go through this
whole process again in the Senate. Finally,
is must be agreed to by the Governor-
General. (Conclusion) The three step
process of turning a bill into a law helps to
keep our laws more democratic, fair and
acceptable to all.
(111 words)
B and A Level
(Topic) In Australia, federal parliament makes laws
for the whole nation. However, before a bill becomes
a law it has to pass through three important stages,
which help to make it a more fair and just law.
(Explanation) The three stage process is very
important because it ensures that the bill will be
carefully considered and fairly voted upon before it
becomes a law. This will make the bill better or more
acceptable to more people. (Evidence) For example,
first it has to be read up to three times to make sure
the MPs understand it. It is able to be debated,
considered in detail, even in a separate area for
committees: this makes it more accurate well made.
It has to go through this whole process again in the
Senate who can improve it, accept it after debate or
even reject it. Finally, it is checked and agreed to by
the Governor-General. (Conclusion) Making laws for
a whole nation is not easy, and the three step process
of federal parliament helps to keep our laws more
democratic, fair and acceptable to all.
(180 words)
Rules and Laws
 The principle of the rule of law is that no person or
group, including the government, is above the law. In
Australia, this means that:
 All Australians are equal before the law and must obey
the law
 The law should be clear and fair so that people and
authorities can understand and obey it
 The law should protect the rights and freedoms of
people.
 Rules
What is the difference between a rule and a
law?
Rules are unofficial laws to control behaviour
that apply only to special groups, not the whole
of society. Breaking them usually has minor
consequences.
For example: sports clubs, families, schools or
religions. They can be simple or complex, or
even very strict, but they do not have the
official force of law.
Laws
Laws are official legal rules for the
whole of society that is created by the
government (either by Federal, State or
Local government).
These laws can be enforced by the
Police and Law Courts and breaking
them has serious consequences.
Reasons for Laws
In all societies people want to enjoy rights and freedoms. However,
in order to have a peaceful, civil society, we need to behave in way
that allows other people to enjoy theirs. This is why we have rules
and laws. Without laws, we would have anarchy.
Reasons for laws:
1. To protect people from criminals and crimes.
2. To punish criminals and keep law and order.
3. To make it clear what sort of attitudes, values and behaviour
are acceptable or not.
4. To protect society from becoming too divided or full of conflict
and keep it unified.
5. To protect property from damage, theft or unjust actions.
6. To control and organise society so we know who is in charge and
who we can go to for help
 What are the different types of laws?
Fill in the table in your worksheet:

Type of Law Made by… Characteristics

Statute law Federal and State • Applies to all Australians and residents.
parliament • Starts as a bill and becomes an Act of Parliament
(Law).
• Has to follow the Constitution.

Common Judges in Law Courts • Decisions made by judges who have to interpret the
laws of parliament.
law • Can be a new decision (setting a precedent) or
following an older decision.
• May eventually become accepted as a Statute law.
Customary Aboriginal tribal • Believed to come from Ancestors and divine spirits
culture in the Dreaming time.
law • Developed over generations
• A system of order and discipline for Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Type of Law Made by… Characteristics

Criminal Parliament • Deals with offences against the whole of society and
and Judges the state (government)
Law • Uses the police and courts to apprehend, prosecute,
judge and imprison the wrongdoer.
• Deals with serious crimes such as theft, murder, assault,
manslaughter, treason, terrorism, damage to property,
illegal drugs, etc.

Civil law Parliament • Civil law typically deals with disputes between private
and Judges individuals (including businesses, corporations or
government bodies).
• Is about actions (or lack of actions) that can result in
loss or harm to you personally or your property.
• Deals with contracts, family issues, and irresponsible
behaviour (such as trespassing, negligence, nuisance, or
defamation).
CRIMINAL LAW
A criminal act is treated as an offence against the state, which deploys the police
and courts to apprehend, prosecute and imprison the wrongdoer. Criminal law
deals with behaviour that is harmful to our community. This includes murder,
assault, theft etc.

These acts are called crimes and the people who commit them are punished by
our society. To enforce criminal law, our society uses its police force and, when
taking legal action, the Department of Public Prosecutions.
CIVIL LAW
A civil wrongdoing is treated as a private matter between the disputing parties, and the
losing side is ordered by the judge to pay compensation or fix the wrong done. Civil Law
deals with disputes between people. If someone’s actions badly affect another person,
physically, emotionally or economically, then the injured person can use the law to fix the
situation.

For instance: If your neighbour cuts down a tree in his yard and it falls into your yard and
destroys your shed, you have the right to ask him to pay for the damage. If he refuses to do
the right thing, you can use the law to force him to compensate you. These acts, when
someone’s behaviour badly affects another person, are called torts (from a French word
meaning “civil wrong”).
Common Law
Common law originated in England as judges travelled from village to
village making decisions based on tradition, custom and precedent.

The judges began to apply a law that was common to all people across the
country, rather than using the customary law of each region.
Common law is applied today when cases come to court where there is no
legislation regulating that case.
The judge needs to make a decision about the law on this type of matter.

Customary law
They are laws that were developed over generations to
determine a system of order and discipline for Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander peoples.