Parliament Flashcards
Glossary of key terms (25 cards)
Act of Parliament
A law passed by parliament which must be followed by everyone it affects. A proposed law is known as a bill & becomes an act once it has passed both houses of parliament & been given royal assent.
Balance of Power
Neither government or majority has the balance of power in one of the houses of parliament, instead a minority party or independent holds the balance of power and determines outcomes.
Bicameral
Two houses of parliament. Consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives in the Commonwealth Parliament, and the Legislative Council and Legislative Assembly in the Victorian Parliament.
Bill
A proposed law
Cabinet
A policy making body of government. Consisting of the leader of the government and 22 senior ministers.
The main roles include creating policies, and deciding on which laws to introduce into parliament.
Coalition
A political relationship between two or more parties in order to gain a majority in the lower house, thus form government.
Constitutional Monarchy
In Australia, the Queen is the head of state ( Monarch), however the parliamentary system is governed by terms outlined within the constitution.
Crown
Authority of queen, which is represented by the Governor General at a federal level and Governor at each state level.
Democracy
Type of parliamentary system, where members of parliament are voted into office by the people and represent the wishes of the people
Double Dissolution
When entirety of both houses are dissolved by the Governor-General, which occurs when Parliament is unable to agree on legislation.
Executive Power
The power given to the government, making them responsible for administering and policing the laws. It is vested in the Monarch under the constitution, thus exercised by the Governor-General. However in practice the GG acts on advice of the Prime Minister
Federation
A union of sovereign states’ that relinquish some of their powers to a central authority, creating one nation. Australia, is an example as it is a federation of 6 states with a federal body being commonwealth parliament.
Government
Consists of members from the political party who gains the largest number of members in the lower house. It’s role is to administer the law and govern the country/ state.
Judicial Power
Power given to courts and tribunals to enforce the law and settle disputes
Legislative Power
Law-making power that resides with parliament
Appropriation Bill
A piece of proposed law that involves the drawing and spending of money by the government.
Opposition
The party who gains the second largest majority in the lower house of parliament
Parliament
Supreme law maker that includes all elected members from both houses of parliament, whose main role is to make laws.
Prime minister
Member of parliament who leads the political party, which has formed government
Preferential Voting
Voters place a figure from 1 (first preference of candidate) any candidate who has greater majority of first votes than total number of remaining votes is selected.
Statute Law
Law made by Parliament
Sovereignty of Parliament
Refers to the concept that the final law making power rests with parliament, as they are capable of repealing its own previous legislation, and can pass legislation to override common law an ability that no other state or federal body has
West Minister System
Inherited from the UK, representing a set of principals that underpin out parliamentary system. They include; Representative Government, responsible Government, Constitution monarchy & the separation of powers.
Representative Government
- Refers to a government who is expected to represent the views of the majority of people.
- The government consists of representatives of people who are chosen by the people. To achieve a representative government, there are regular elections so the people can vote for politicians to represent them in parliament.
- If the government does not represent the needs of the majority, they are likely to be voted out of office at the next election.
