Glossary - G Flashcards
Gag (also closure)
A motion under Standing Orders of parliament that ‘the motion be put’. A successful gag motion cuts off debate on an issue. It is used to restrict debate and speed up the passage of bill.
General election
An election for all seats in the lower house of the parliament. General elections give voters a chance to continue support for a government or to dismiss it from office.
General Purposes Grant
Payments made to the states out of the Commonwealth Government’s consolidated revenue that have ‘no strings attached’ the funds can be spent by the states as they see fit.
Gerrymander
The drawing of electoral boundaries to create an artificial bias towards a candidate or party. It is usually designed to benefit the dominant or incumbent political party and maintain their hold on power. The term evolved in 1812 when the Massachusetts Governor Eldridge Gerry created a voting district that resembled a salamander.
Golden rule
One of the three standard approaches of a court to the interpretation of statutes. If the application of the statute to an individual case clearly would have an absurd or unfair outcome then a Judge may refer to the general aim of the statute in interpreting and apparently inconsistent part of the Act.
Goods and Services Tax
A broadly based sales tax. In 2000 the Commonwealth Government introduced a goods and services tax (GST) placing a 10% tax on almost all goods and services purchased in Australia.
Government
The body that has the legal authority to set political party. In Australia the government is the party(ies) that can maintain a majority in the lower house of parliament. Also used more narrowly to describe the political executive.
Governor
The Queens representative at state level in Australia. The governor is appointed by the Queen acting on advice from the premier of a state. Before self-government Governors were powerful figures. Now the position is mainly ceremonial.
Governor General
The Queen’s representative at Commonwealth or federal level in Australia. The Governor General carries out the Queen’s functions as head of state on her behalf. The Queen acting on advice from the Prime Minister appoints the Governor General.
Governor-General-in-Council
The Constitution uses this term to indicate the powers of the Governor General but must be based on advice from the Federal Executive Council. (See Executive Council).
Grievance Debate
Part of the procedures of parliament that allows members to speak for 10 minutes about any matter of concern to them or their constituents. In the Commonwealth parliament an hour and quarter per sitting week is allocated to the grievance debate.
Guillotine
A limit on the length of debate during the passage of a bill in parliament. A guillotine is imposed when a motion is put to classify a bill as urgent. If this is accepted a further motion (the guillotine) is put specifying the maximum time allowed for debate on each stage of the bill. While guillotine can be necessary to prevent time wasting (see filibuster) they are controversial as they often are used to force through bills with very little debate.
