The Politics & Law Teacher Blog
4:24 Public confidence & the accountability of the courts
Accountability of the Courts Through Public Confidence All branches of government must depend on sources of legitimacy. Elections and mandates legitimatise the legislative branches. However, neither of these can support the judicial branch. It derives its power and...
3/24 – PM Power & Ministerial Accountability: Cabinet Reshuffle 2024
Prime Ministerial Power and Ministerial Accountability: Albanese’s Ministerial Reshuffle – July 2024 The Structure of the Australian Federal Ministry (Unit 3) The Australian Federal Ministry is structured hierarchically to ensure effective government, with three main...
2/24: NZYQ – issues related to political and legal power and the legislative and judicial processes
NZYQ and issues related to political and legal power and the legislative and judicial processes Cross reference: Update V7N1 Jan/Feb 2024: High Court NZYQ decision overrules controversial Al-Kateb case The High Court's Decision: Legal Power and Judicial Process In...
1/24 Prime Minister & Cabinet (early 2024)
Infographic 1/24 This infographic illustrates the roles and powers of the Prime Minister and Cabinet through the governing decisions of the Albanese Government in early 2024. The Infographic provides a range of examples related to the Unit 3 and Unit 4 Syllabus. This...
5/23 – Separation of the Executive & Legislative Branches in Australia’s Wesminster System
Influenced by its British heritage, Australia adopted the Westminster system and constitutional monarchy for its national political system in 1901. The Westminster system is characterised by the 'structural fusion' of the executive and legislative branches that...
5 forms of political representation for First Peoples
5 Ways Democracies Uphold Political Representation for First Nations Peoples "First Nations" refers to indigenous people residing within a specific territory, with "indigenous" denoting their origins "in that place". In the High Court constitutional case, Love and...
3/23: Robodebt – Anatomy of an Unlawful Executive Scheme
Robodebt Issue: Roadmap of an Unlawful Scheme Australia's infamous "Robodebt" saga began in May 2015 when the Department of Human Services (DHS) received funding from the Abbott Government for a scheme to recover alleged welfare debts. The scheme was to crack down on...
2/23 Integrity and Accountability: A contemporary political issue
The Australian political and legal system has recently experienced controversies concerning government integrity and its implications for executive accountability. The "Sports Rorts" and "Pork 'n Ride" affairs and the RoboDebt scheme posed accountability problems that...
Sample News Update Article –
Kate Jenkins - a force for law-making The Sex Discrimination Commissioner's legacy Syllabus 11PAL - role of the legislative branch 12PAL - functions of the Commonwealth Parliament - law-making, representation 12PAL - law-making process in Parliament - influence of...
Infographic 1/23 – Competing Mandates & the Safeguard Mechanism
Labor and the Greens had competing mandates secured at the May 2022 general election resulting in a negotiated compromise on legislation to implement a strengthened safeguard mechanism. Although political differences remain between Labor and the Greens about climate...