Terminology: Semester 1

Question 1

Constitutionalism

Answer 1

The belief is that government power should be limited, as opposed to absolutism.

Question 2

Supermajority

Answer 2

A two thirds majority

Question 3

Cloture

Answer 3

The cession of debate on a bill

Question 4

Subpoena

Answer 4

A writ ordering a person to attend a court

Question 5

Audit

Answer 5

An official inspection of an organisation’s accounts

Question 6

Standing orders

Answer 6

The rules by which each House of Parliament operates

Question 7

Decline of parliament thesis

Answer 7

The principle that the parliament is unable to effectively fulfil its roles as a representative and law making body, and that it’s unable to legislate and hold the government accountable like it should.

Question 8

Standing orders

Answer 8

The rules by which each House of Parliament operates

Question 9

Federation Chamber

Answer 9

A special power house committee comprised of all MHRs. It’s purpose is to pass non-contentious bills that both major parties already broadly agree on with minimal debate/scrutiny. This speeds the passage of bills and gives the house more time for more contested legislation.

Question 10

Joint committee

Answer 10

A committee with members from both houses eg the parliamentary joint committee on human rights

Question 11

Standing committee

Answer 11

A committee which endures for the duration of a parliament

Question 12

Privileges Committee

Answer 12

Committee which holds members of each house accountable for their use of parliamentary privilege.

Question 13

Select committee

Answer 13

Committee formed for a specific purpose and disbanded after reporting to parliament

Question 14

Revival of parliament thesis

Answer 14

Idea that the parliament is reviving in its accountability role due to the roles of the senate, independents and minor parties and committees.

Question 15

Responsible government

Answer 15

The convention that the government is drawn from and accountable to the parliament

Question 16

Representative government

Answer 16

A form for of government whereby the people delegate their sovereignty to a governing body for a specific period

Question 17

Separation of powers

Answer 17

The principle that the three arms of government should have separate roles, with no one person or group controlling multiple arms. Mechanisms should exist for the three arms to hold each other accountable.

Question 18

Express powers

Answer 18

Powers of the Governor General that are exercised on the pms advice, codified in the constitution eg appointing ministers

Question 19

Reserve powers

Answer 19

Constitutional powers of the gg that can be exercised outside of the pms advice in emergencies, eg s28 and 64

Question 20

Junior Minister

Answer 20

Members of the outer ministry who hold portfolios in areas of less important government activity.

Question 21

Assistant ministers

Answer 21

MPs appointed to assist a minister, who may even administer their own small departments.

Question 22

Popular sovereignty

Answer 22

The idea Democracy is based on, that the right to govern rests with the people.

Question 23

General mandate

Answer 23

A claim by a governing party to have authority to implement policies that reflect its authority. They are a much less successful form of mandate.

Question 24

Specific mandate

Answer 24

A claim by a governing party to have authority to implement policies and promises that were specifically part of an election campaign, e.g. Rudd had a mandate to get rid of WorkChoices. They are the most successful claim to a mandate.

Question 25

Judicial power

Answer 25

The power to adjudicate and make legally binding decisions, which is exercised by the courts

Question 26

Cooperative federalism

Answer 26

A federal system in which the two levels of government work together to achieve outcomes. Requires strong federal institutions.

Question 27

Coordinate federalism

Answer 27

A federal system in which the two levels of government work independently within their own spheres of power. Required only weak federal institutions.

Question 28

Fiscal federalism

Answer 28

A federal system in which the central level of government possesses and exercised significant financial power that it can use to coerce the regional governments.

Question 29

Vertical fiscal imbalance

Answer 29

The imbalance in the taxing powers and spending obligations between the two levels of government in a federation.

Question 30

Horizontal fiscal equalisation

Answer 30

The requirement that the commonwealth parliament use its financial powers to equalise the standard of public service delivery in each state.

Question 31

Ministerial councils

Answer 31

Meetings of Commonwealth and state ministers in areas of shared portfolios. There are many ministerial councils, which are subordinate to coag and facilitate cooperative federalism in specific areas.