WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:16.375 Part 1 of 4. Voting and elections. In this part you will learn 7 key words from the Australian citizenship test material. For each word, you will hear a simple meaning, an example and a memory tip. At the end there are three quick questions. 00:00:16.575 --> 00:00:18.400 democracy 00:00:18.600 --> 00:00:22.300 The people choose their leaders by voting. 00:00:22.500 --> 00:00:28.175 For example: In a democracy, citizens vote for their representatives. 00:00:28.375 --> 00:00:36.100 Memory tip: The word comes from Greek: demos means the people. In a democracy, the people hold the power. 00:00:36.300 --> 00:00:39.350 parliamentary democracy 00:00:39.550 --> 00:00:45.600 A system where people vote for members of parliament, and parliament makes the laws. 00:00:45.800 --> 00:00:50.625 For example: Australia is a parliamentary democracy. 00:00:50.825 --> 00:00:57.650 Memory tip: Remember the chain: people vote for M Ps, then M Ps make the laws. 00:00:57.850 --> 00:00:59.400 election 00:00:59.600 --> 00:01:03.050 A vote to choose people for parliament. 00:01:03.250 --> 00:01:09.775 For example: Australian citizens aged eighteen or over must vote in an election. 00:01:09.975 --> 00:01:16.125 Memory tip: Elect sounds like select. In an election, you select your leaders. 00:01:16.325 --> 00:01:18.450 electoral roll 00:01:18.650 --> 00:01:21.700 The list of people who can vote. 00:01:21.900 --> 00:01:26.225 For example: Your name must be on the electoral roll. 00:01:26.425 --> 00:01:32.575 Memory tip: A roll is a list. If your name is not on the roll, you cannot vote. 00:01:32.775 --> 00:01:34.450 electorate 00:01:34.650 --> 00:01:43.650 An area of voters who elect their members of the House of Representatives. Also called an electoral district, division or seat. 00:01:43.850 --> 00:01:48.550 For example: Each M P represents an electorate. 00:01:48.750 --> 00:01:55.050 Memory tip: Your electorate is your voting area. One area elects one M P. 00:01:55.250 --> 00:01:57.325 secret ballot 00:01:57.525 --> 00:02:01.650 A private vote. No one knows how you voted. 00:02:01.850 --> 00:02:06.000 For example: Voting is by secret ballot. 00:02:06.200 --> 00:02:12.675 Memory tip: Your vote is your secret. Nobody can make you say who you voted for. 00:02:12.875 --> 00:02:15.000 referendum 00:02:15.200 --> 00:02:18.700 A vote to change the Constitution. 00:02:18.900 --> 00:02:26.325 For example: In 1967 a referendum counted Aboriginal peoples in the Census. 00:02:26.525 --> 00:02:34.625 Memory tip: A referendum is only for changing the Constitution. Think: the people decide the big change. 00:02:34.825 --> 00:02:45.675 Quick review. Look at each word and say it out loud: democracy, parliamentary democracy, election, electoral roll, electorate, secret ballot, referendum. 00:02:45.875 --> 00:02:54.250 Time for a quick quiz. Three questions about the words in this part. After each question, you will have five seconds to think. 00:02:54.450 --> 00:03:10.125 Question 1. In Australia's parliamentary democracy, where does the power of the government come from? A. The Australian people, who vote for their representatives. B. The King of Australia. C. The High Court. D. The Australian Defence Force. 00:03:15.325 --> 00:03:28.525 The answer is A. The Australian people, who vote for their representatives. The power of the government comes from the Australian people because citizens vote for people to represent them in parliament. 00:03:28.725 --> 00:03:54.025 Question 2. What is a secret ballot in Australian elections? A. A system where no one is allowed to know whom you voted for unless you tell them. B. A system where votes are counted in private and the winners are not told until much later. C. A vote taken inside parliament in private, where the public cannot see the result. D. A vote that only senators can take part in, with the results hidden for one year. 00:03:59.225 --> 00:04:16.200 The answer is A. A system where no one is allowed to know whom you voted for unless you tell them. Voting in an election is by secret ballot, so you are free and safe to vote for any candidate. No one is allowed to know whom you have voted for, unless you choose to tell them. 00:04:16.400 --> 00:04:39.975 Question 3. What is the reason that voting is compulsory in Australian elections? A. To raise money for the government through fines on people who do not attend. B. To reduce the number of political parties that can take part in elections. C. To make sure the people have a say in who will govern and represent them. D. To give the Prime Minister more power over which candidates can be elected. 00:04:45.175 --> 00:04:58.400 The answer is C. To make sure the people have a say in who will govern and represent them. Compulsory voting is a way to make sure that the people have a say in who will govern and represent them in parliament. 00:04:58.600 --> 00:05:08.050 That is the end of this part. Try the sample questions on our website, and say each word out loud in English. Good luck with your study.