chapters 2 & 3 key terms.

Question 1

absolute monarchy

Answer 1

a form of government in which the head of state is an inherited position with powers that are unlimited by any constitution or constitutional conventions.

Question 2

backbencher

Answer 2

a member of parliament who is not in cabinet or the ministry (the executive). this includes both the government frontbench and the opposition shadow frontbench.

Question 3

balance of power

Answer 3

the situation in which a political party or an individual may use their position in the chamber and vote to decide the fate of a bill or a motion. this is commonly held by minor parties and independents in the senate. these parties and independents are referred to as the senate crossbench.

Question 4

bicameral

Answer 4

a legislature composed of two houses or chambers; an upper house (of review) and a lower house (of the people).

Question 5

cabinet

Answer 5

a committee of the executive comprising the prime minister and their senior ministers. it is governed entirely by convention and has no legal or constitutional authority. despite this, it is the most powerful government institution in the system of government.

Question 6

collective ministerial responsibility

Answer 6

a westminster convention of responsible parliamentary government by which an entire executive government may be held to account by the house of representatives. this is part of parliament’s ‘responsibility function’.