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Faraz_1984 · #1 Thursday, August 07, 2008

Aa
absolute majority
(see also simple majority)
1. An absolute majority is more than half of the total votes of those eligible to vote, even if they are not present. The bill to alter the Constitution was passed by an absolute majority when 85 of the 150 members of the House of Representatives voted for it.
2. An absolute majority is the number by which votes for the leading candidate in an election exceed the votes for all other candidates put together. Since Ms Nyugen received 9000 votes and all other candidates received a combined total of 4000 votes, Ms Nyugen had an absolute majority of 5000.
abstain
To abstain is to voluntarily refrain from casting a vote. The senator could not decide the issue and felt it was best to abstain from the vote.
accountable
To be accountable is to be able to be called on to explain your actions. During Senate Estimates the opposition called on the minister to be accountable for the mismanagement of bushfires in several national parks.
Act of Parliament or Act
An Act of Parliament, is a law made by a parliament. The Act required that food labelling practices apply wherever food is sold, including school events.
adjourn
To adjourn is to put off, postpone or suspend. The chamber agreed to adjourn until the following Monday.
adjournment debate
An adjournment debate is a debate at the end of each sitting day when members and senators make short speeches on any subject. Four members spoke during the adjournment debate—one spoke about electoral matters the others on matters of national interest.
adversarial system
An adversarial system is an approach or system where one person or group opposes another. The Australian Parliament demonstrates the adversarial system because two major parties oppose each other in the chambers.
affirmative
Something is affirmative if it is agreed. Affirmative is the opposite of negative. The bill was passed in the affirmative.
alderman
(see also Councillor)
Alderman is the title for a person elected to local government. The alderman listened to the committee’s request for more areas to be set aside for parklands.
amendment
An amendment is a change to a bill, Act of Parliament or the Australian Constitution. There have been eight amendments to the Australian Constitution since 1901.
appeal
1. An appeal is a request for review by a higher authority. The High Court is the final court of appeal in Australia.
2. An appeal is a request for something needed. The public appeal to the minister to provide more information was followed by a media interview.
appropriation bill
An appropriation bill is a bill which, if passed by parliament, allows executive government to spend money it has gathered from the community (through taxes and charges) on government services such as roads, schools and security. The appropriation bill was tabled during Budget week.
Attorney-General
The Attorney-General is the chief law officer of executive government and the minister responsible for the management of legal matters. The Attorney-General stated that the proposed law was unconstitutional.
Auditor-General
The Auditor-General is the chief accounting officer of the federal Parliament. The Auditor-General inspects executive government accounts and reports to the Parliament on whether government departments spend or receive money correctly and legally. The Auditor-General requested that the department produce its annual budget and relevant documents for review.
Australian Coat of Arms or Commonwealth Coat of Arms or Coat of Arms
The Australian Coat of Arms (formally known as the Commonwealth Coat of Arms) consists of a shield containing the badges of the six Australian states supported by an emu and kangaroo. The shield is a symbol for the federation of the states, which took place in 1901. The Commonwealth uses the Coat of Arms to identify its authority and property. The Australian Coat of Arms is a prominent symbol throughout Australia’s Parliament House.
Australian Constitution
The Australian Constitution is the set of rules by which Australia is governed. It provides the authority for the powers of the Australian Parliament, Australian Government and the High Court of Australia. It also covers financial trade matters; the federal relationship between the states and the Commonwealth; the arrangements for a seat of government; and the process for any alteration of the Constitution. The Australian Constitution is a written text that contains elements of both the British and American systems of governance.
Australian Electoral Commission (AEC)
The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) is the organisation responsible for running Australian national elections and referendums. The AEC also provides information about elections. Before the election the Australian Electoral Commission issued a booklet informing people about how to vote.
Australian Government
(see also Executive the)
The Australian Government is the formal title given to the group of people who administer Australian law, deliver goods and services to the Australian people and make day to day decisions on behalf of Australia. The Australian Government announced a change to child-care policy.
Australian Parliament
see Parliament of Australia
aye
(see also division)
Aye is the word used for voting ‘yes’ in parliament. The senators who agreed with the bill called out ‘aye’ when the President asked who was in favour of the proposal.
ayes
(see also noes)
The ayes are the votes of members of parliament who vote ‘yes’ on a particular matter. The result of the division was 87 ayes and 63 noes.