Chapter 1 - Definitions

Question 1

Bicameral Parliament

Answer 1

A Parliament with two houses. Typically an upper house and a lower house

Question 2

Constitutional Monarchy

Answer 2

Form of government where the monarch’s power is limited by a constitution and the main law-making power comes from an elected parliament or body

Question 3

Constitution

Answer 3

A set of rules that determines the structure of government and the law-making powers within a sovereign state

Question 4

Federation

Answer 4

Refers to the formation of a political union with a central government from a number of seperate states or colonies with control of its own internal affairs.

Question 5

Parliament

Answer 5

A law-making body or legislature elected by the people

Question 6

Unicameral

Answer 6

A parliament which consists of only 1 house

Question 7

Senate

Answer 7

The upper house of the federal parliament, consists of 76 senators - twelve from each of the states and 2 from each of the territories. The senate’s intended functions are to represent the interests of the states and to review laws passed in the HoR. The senate has powers almost identical to those of the HoR except with restrictions in dealing with taxation and appropriation Bills.

Question 8

House of Representatives

Answer 8

The lower house of the federal parliament, with approximately twice as many members as the Senate. Its members represent electorates, which are geographical units with approximately equal numbers of electors. Most Bills originate in this house. By convention, a Prime Minister is a member of this house.

Question 9

Coalition

Answer 9

A group of two or more political parties

Question 10

Governor-General

Answer 10

The Queen’s representative at the federal level

Question 11

Commonwealth Government

Answer 11

The political party or coalition of parties that has won a majority of seats in the house of representatives.

Question 12

Cabinet

Answer 12

The body of people with responsibility for the implementation of government policies, and includes the prime minister and senior ministers

Question 13

Double Dissolution

Answer 13

Occurs when both houses of the Commonwealth Parliament are dissolved and all members are required to face an election, unlike a scheduled election when only have the senators are up for re-election

Question 14

Royal Assent

Answer 14

The formal signing of a Bill by the monarch’s representative to indicate approval of the Bill, and is the final step necessary before a Bill becomes a law.

Question 15

To Prorogue

Answer 15

To bring a parliamentary session to an end, without dissolving parliament or calling an election. It terminates all businesscurrently before both houses until the next scheduled session

Question 16

Referendum

Answer 16

The process through which changes can be made to the Commonwealth Constitution. Electors vote for or against a particular change. For the change to take effect, it must be supported by a majority of voters and a majority of states

Question 17

Doctrine of Seperation of Powers

Answer 17

Refers to the seperation of the legislature, executive and judiciary

Question 18

Royal Commission

Answer 18

A public judicial inquiry into an important issue, with powers to make recommendations to government

Question 19

Bill

Answer 19

A proposed law or change to an existing law to be debated by parliament

Question 20

Caucus

Answer 20

The total membership of all members in parliament, both senators and members of the HoR

Question 21

Shadow Minister

Answer 21

A member of the opposition’s leadership group who has responsibility for the policy area of a particular minister. He or she would be likely to become minister if the opposition won government.

Question 22

Westminster System

Answer 22

The parliamentary system of Great Britain, which has been copied and adapted by other countries.
The system used by Australian parliaments.