Ch 9,10 - Definitions

Question 1

Aus Cons

Answer 1

Set of rules and principles that guide how Aus is governed
“Commonwealth of Aus Cons Act”

Question 2

Parliament

Answer 2

Formal assembly of reps of the people who are elected by the people and gathers together to make laws

Question 3

Constitutional Monarchy

Answer 3

System of gov here a monarch is head of state and a Cons sets out the powers of Parl

Question 4

Constitution

Answer 4

Set of rules and principles that guid how a country/state is run

Question 5

Representative Demoncracy

Answer 5

A system of gov where all eligible citizens vote to elect people who will rep them in Parl, make laws and govern on their behalf

Question 6

High Court

Answer 6

Ultimate court of appeal in Aus and the court with the authority to hear and determine disputes under Aus Cons

Question 7

Legislative

Answer 7

Legal term for the body having the primary power to make law (i.e. Parl)

Question 8

Judiciary

Answer 8

Legal term used to describe judges as a group or courts as an institution who apply and interpret laws

Question 9

Statute Law

Answer 9

Law made by Parl
aka. Acts of Parl/Legislation

Question 10

Common Law

Answer 10

Law made by judges through decisions made in cases
aka. Case law/judge-made law

Question 11

Law Reform

Answer 11

Process of constantly updating and changing the law so it remains relevant and effective

Question 12

Rule of Law

Answer 12

Principle that everyone in society is bound by law and must obey it, and that laws should be fair and clear so people are willing and able to obey

Question 13

House of Reps

Senate

Answer 13

Lower house in Clth Parl

Upper House in Clth Parl

Question 14

Referendum

Answer 14

Method used for changing the wording of the Aus Cons, requiring proposal to be approved by Aus people in public vote by a double majority

Question 15

Bill of Rights

Answer 15

Doc that sets out the most important rights and freedoms of the citizens in a particular state/country
aka. Charter of Rights

Question 16

Gov Gen

Answer 16

King’s rep at Clth level

Question 17

Political Party

Answer 17

Organisation that reps a group of people with shared values and ideas and which aim to have in its members elected to Parl

Question 18

Government

Answer 18

Ruling authority with power to govern, formed by the pol party that holds majority in lower house of each Parl

Question 19

Minister

Answer 19

Member of party in gov and is in charge of a particular area of gov (e.g. education)

Question 20

Opposition

Answer 20

Political party with 2nd largest number of seats in lower house who questions gov about policy matters and is responsible for holding gov to account

Question 21

Bill

Answer 21

A proposed law that has been presented to Parl to become law after passing through formal stages of L.M

Question 22

Cabinet

Answer 22

Group of senior ministers in a gov made up of PM/prem + senior gov ministers in charge of a range of portfilios and decides which bills are introduced to Parl

Question 23

Hung Parl

Answer 23

Situation where neither maj political party wins a majority of seats in lower house of Parl after election

Question 24

Money Bill

Answer 24

Proposed law that imposes taxes and collects revenue
aka. Appropriation Bill

Question 25

Representative Gov

Answer 25

Political system in which gov is made up of members elected by the people who reflect their views and values

Question 26

Responsible Gov

Answer 26

Legal principle which requires gov to be answerable to elected reps of the people for its actions and requires gov to maintain the confidence of the lower house majority

Question 27

Balance of Power

Answer 27

A situation where no single party has majority of seats in one or both Parl houses >> the power to reject/approve bills rests with small number of people

Question 28

Cross Benchers

Answer 28

Members of Parl not part of gov/opposition

Question 29

Governor

Answer 29

King's rep at state level

Question 30

Legis Council Legis Assembly

Answer 30

Upper house of Vic Parl Lower house of Vic Parl

Question 31

Royal Assent

Answer 31

Formal signing and approval of a bill by the GG/governor after which the bill becomes an Act of Parl

Question 32

Executive Council

Answer 32

Group consisting of PM + senior ministers OR prem + senior ministers that is responsible for admin and implement law by giving advice about gov and gov departments

Question 33

Residual Powers

Answer 33

Powers not given to the Clth Parl under the Aus Cons and which thus remain solely with the states

Question 34

Exclusive Powers

Answer 34

Powers in the Aus Cons that only the Clth Parl can exercise

Question 35

Concurrent Powers

Answer 35

Powers in the Aus Cons that may be exercised by both the Clth and the states

Question 36

Jurisdiction

Answer 36

Lawful authority of court or other DR body to decide cases