//glossary//

Question 1

Explain Absolute Majority

Answer 1

A candidate receives and absolute majority in an election if they gain 50% plus one of the valid votes cast in the election. In the Australian system of preferential voting (made up of primary votes and votes gained through preference distribution) must be an absolute majority.

Question 2

Explain Access When In Reference To Legal Proceedings

Answer 2

The ability of individuals to exercise their rights in the legal system. Language used in proceedings and the cost of the aforementioned proceedings can play a part in limiting the access individuals have to dispute resolution through the law.

Question 3

Explain Accountability

Answer 3

Requirement that all public officials, both elected and appointed, should be directly or indirectly answerable to people.

Question 4

Explain Acquittal

Answer 4

Judgment of a court that a person charged with a crime has not been proven guilty.

Question 5

What Is An Act Of Parliament?

Answer 5

Legislative proposal or bill that has passed all the required stages in parliament. An act becomes a legally binding statue when it has received Royal assent and has been proclaimed.

Question 6

What Is An Actus Reus?

Answer 6

A guilty deed or act.

Question 7

Explain What An Address-in-Reply Debate Is.

Answer 7

The debate that follows the Governor General’s Speech, which sets out the executive legislative program for the next parliamentary session.

Question 8

Explain The Adjournment Debate

Answer 8

Debate concerning the motion to adjourn or suspend the sitting of parliament to another day.

Question 9

Explain Adjudication

Answer 9

The act of judging the merits of two competing views.

Question 10

Explain Administrative Law

Answer 10

Body of law dealing with the rules regarding the hearings of government administrative agencies such as internal appeal tribunals. Must operate within the bounds of natural justice.

Question 11

Explain Admissable Evidence.

Answer 11

Information or material items allowed as evidence in a trial.

Question 12

Explain The Adversarial System.

Answer 12

Legal system based on the principle that justice is best served by allowing competing parties to present their arguments to an impartial third person for adjudication.

Question 13

Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)

Answer 13

Resolution of conflicts and legal disputes through methods such as mediation and arbitration. ADR can provide a speedier and less expensive alternative to the formal processes of litigation in the public courts.

Question 14

Amendment

Answer 14

An alteration to a bill or act.

Question 15

Appeal

Answer 15

A challenge to a judgment of a lower court to a higher court. The rights of individuals to appeal court decisions is a major reason for having the court hierarchy.

Question 16

Appellant Jurisdiction/Appellate Court

Answer 16

Authority of the higher court to hear appeals of the lower courts. As the pinnacle of the court hierarchy, the High Court has appellant jurisdiction over all judgements of common law or statutory interpretation made by other Australian courts.

Question 17

Arbitration

Answer 17

Alternative dispute resolution method by which an independent, neutral party is appointed to hear and consider merits of dispute and give a final and binding decision.

Question 18

Aristocracy

Answer 18

Form of government based on rule of the elite, claimed by birth, wealthy and status.

Question 19

Arms Of Government

Answer 19

Distinction between legislative, executive and judicial functions of government.

Question 20

Arraignment

Answer 20

Court procedure where a charge contained in a criminal indictment is read to the accused who is then asked to plead guilty or not guilty.