Glossary - V

Question 1

Vertical Fiscal Imbalance

Answer 1

The situation in a federation where the expenditure of a level of government does not correspond to its own sources of revenue. On 2002/2003 data the Commonwealth government will collect 81.6% of total government revenue collection in Australia (this includes the Goods and Services Tax which makes up 12.6% of total revenue - revenue which is transferred to the states) but is directly responsible for less than 0% of total government expenditure.

Question 2

Voluntary Voting

Answer 2

A free choice as to whether or not to vote. Most democracies use voluntary voting although it is generally compulsory to register as a voter. In Australia voting is compulsory in most elections.

Question 3

Vote of No Confidence

Answer 3

A censure vote against the government in parliament. In Westminster style parliaments it is expected that a government will resign if it loses a vote of no confidence and cannot maintain a majority in the lower house.

Question 4

Voter

Answer 4

A person who is entitled to a vote in an election. Australian citizens who are 18 years and older must vote in state and federal elections.

Question 5

Vote Wastage

Answer 5

This is a potential problem of majoritarian electoral systems that are based on single member electorates. A political party may achieve a lower percentage of seats in the parliament than their overall percentage support because their support is concentrated in ‘safe seats’ in which they will large majorities, rather than spread more evenly across all electorates.

Question 6

Voting Ticket

Answer 6

A written statement, registered with the electoral authority by a candidate or group of candidates, which expresses the order in which preferences are to be further allocated for an elector putting 1 in one of the boxes in an ‘above the line’ (on a Senate ballot in federal elections) or ‘right hand side of the line’ vote (on a Legislative Council ballot in Western Australian elections).