§-Politics and Law syllabus

WA · SCSA← Politics and Law

Politics and Law syllabus, dot point by dot point

Every dot point in the WA Politics and Law syllabus, in syllabus order, with a focused answer for each. Open any dot point for the answer, exam-style questions and links to related points.

Unit 3: Political and Legal Power

Unit overview →

How does the Constitution divide law-making power between the Commonwealth and the states?

Explain the division of powers in the Australian federation and analyse how section 109 resolves inconsistency

How does a bill become law and why does Parliament delegate law-making power?

Explain the stages of the legislative process and analyse the use and control of delegated legislation

How does the separation of powers protect against the concentration of power in Australia?

Explain the doctrine of the separation of powers and analyse how strictly it operates in the Australian system

How do the rule of law and constitutionalism limit the exercise of political and legal power in Australia?

Explain the principles of the rule of law and constitutionalism and assess how they constrain government power in Australia

How does Australia's Westminster system differ from a non-Westminster system such as the United States?

Compare the distribution and exercise of political and legal power in Australia with one non-Westminster system

How does the Australian Constitution structure and limit political and legal power?

Analyse the role of the Australian Constitution in dividing power, distributing authority and enabling change

How do the parliament and the executive make and implement law in Australia?

Examine the relationship between the parliament and the executive and the operation of responsible government

Why has power shifted from the states to the Commonwealth since federation?

Analyse the factors that have changed the balance of power between the Commonwealth and the states and evaluate their significance

How do Australian elections translate votes into representation and political power?

Analyse the electoral systems used in Australia and how they shape representation and the formation of government

How does the High Court interpret the Constitution and why does its approach matter?

Analyse the methods the High Court uses to interpret the Constitution and evaluate the impact of landmark cases

How does the High Court exercise judicial power and shape the Constitution?

Evaluate the role of the High Court in interpreting the Constitution and exercising judicial power

Unit 4: Accountability and Rights

Unit overview →

Which rights are expressly protected by the Australian Constitution and how strong is that protection?

Explain the express rights in the Australian Constitution and evaluate how effectively they protect individuals

How did the High Court imply a freedom of political communication and what does it actually protect?

Explain the implied freedom of political communication and evaluate its significance for rights protection in Australia

How does rights protection in Australia compare with a country that has a bill of rights?

Compare the protection of rights in Australia with one other country and evaluate the relative effectiveness of each

How do the rule of law and natural justice protect individuals in their dealings with government?

Explain the principles of the rule of law and natural justice and analyse how they support accountable government

How does international law become part of Australian law and what does the external affairs power allow?

Explain how international law is incorporated into Australian domestic law and analyse the scope of the external affairs power

How does international law operate and how does it interact with Australian law?

Analyse how international law is made and enforced and how it becomes part of Australian domestic law

How does the United Nations promote and enforce human rights, and how effective is it?

Analyse the role of the United Nations and its bodies in protecting human rights and evaluate their effectiveness

How is the executive held accountable for its administrative decisions in Australia?

Analyse the mechanisms of open government and administrative law and evaluate how effectively they hold the executive to account

How are the rights of individuals protected and limited in Australia?

Analyse the means by which rights are protected in Australia and evaluate how effective they are

How does international law define and seek to protect human rights?

Analyse the sources and instruments of international human rights law and evaluate their effectiveness

How do statute and the common law protect rights in Australia and how secure is that protection?

Analyse the protection of rights through statute and the common law and evaluate the security of those protections

How is government held accountable for the exercise of its power?

Analyse the mechanisms that promote accountable and responsible government in Australia and evaluate their effectiveness

Should Australia adopt a national bill or charter of rights?

Evaluate the arguments for and against a statutory or constitutional bill of rights for Australia