• 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.

Bb
backbench

The backbench is those members of parliament who are not ministers or shadow ministers; also known as private members and senators. Most parliamentarians serve on the backbench before becoming ministers or shadow ministers.
backbencher

A backbencher is a member of parliament who is not a minister or a shadow minister. Backbenchers sit behind the front bench (thus on the back bench) in each chamber. The backbencher rose to deliver a speech in support of his electorate.
balance of power

Balance of power is the ability of one person or parliamentary party to decide an issue by the way they vote due to no party having the majority. The Independent senator held the balance of power in the Senate.
ballot

1. A ballot is the group voting process by which a choice is made. The Speaker of the House of Representatives is elected by secret ballot.
2. A ballot is to select by secret vote. A ballot was held to elect the class captain.
3. Ballot is the right to vote. The eighteen year old was eager to embrace the ballot.

ballot-paper

A ballot-paper is a piece of paper that lists the names of those wanting to be elected to parliament (see candidates). Voters mark their choice of person or persons on the ballot-paper. Each voter is given a ballot-paper on polling day.
bicameral

A bicameral parliament consists of two chambers or houses. Australia has a bicameral parliament—its two houses being the House of Representatives and the Senate.
bill

A bill is a proposal for a new law or to modify an existing law that is presented to a parliament. Approximately 200 bills are presented to the federal Parliament each year.
bill of rights

A bill of rights is an Act of Parliament or part of a nation's constitution stating some of the basic rights of the people of a country. Australian rights are established and protected by several mechanisms that do not include a separate bill of rights.
bipartisan

To be bipartisan is to represent, or have the support of two parties. With all members of the House of Representatives in agreement on the bill, it was passed with bipartisan support.
Black Rod

(see also Usher of the Black Rod)

The Black Rod is the staff of office of the Usher of the Black Rod. The Black Rod is made of ebony and bears a silver crown and Australian Coat of Arms.
blue-ribbon seat

A blue-ribbon seat is a seat or electorate where a majority of voters usually vote for the same member or party making it a ‘safe’ seat for that member or party. The member was confident she would again win her blue-ribbon seat.
Budget (the)

The Budget is a plan before a parliament that shows how much money the government expects to collect in the coming year and how it will spend that money. The Budget speech included a plan to spend $10 billion dollars on national roads.
Budget estimates

The Budget estimates are the amounts of money which executive government proposes estimates will be needed for expenditure by government and authorities in the coming year. Details of Budget estimates can be found in the annual appropriation bills.
bureaucracy

A bureaucracy is the group of people who work in or manage government departments. The bureaucracy is often criticised for creating a lot of paperwork.
by-election

A by-election is a special election held to replace a member of the House of Representatives who has ceased to be a member—perhaps because he or she has died or retired between federal elections. A by-election was held to fill the seat of a member who had died suddenly.
by-law

A by-law is a local government rule or regulation. The council by-law stated that all domestic dogs were to be registered.
by leave

By leave is to do something with the permission of every member present in the chamber. By leave of the chamber the senator made an unexpected statement.

Cabinet (the)

The Cabinet is the key group of decision making ministers in executive government. The Cabinet meets in private to make important decisions.
Cabinet minister

A Cabinet minister is a minister who is one of a group of senior or leading ministers otherwise known as the Cabinet. The Cabinet minister said that the Prime Minister had her full support.
Cabinet Room

The Cabinet Room is a special room in Parliament House where the leading ministers meet. The Cabinet Room is highly secure and is regularly checked for electronic devices.
campaign

A campaign is a competition for votes by people who are seeking a place in parliament. The election campaign ran for two weeks prior to the election day.
candidate

A candidate is someone who stands for election to parliament. Of the five candidates on the ballot-paper, only one gained a place in the federal Parliament.
carried

A motion that is carried is agreed. The amendment to the immigration bill was carried.
cast a vote

To cast a vote is to make a choice between candidates by filling in a ballot-paper. Each eligible person is expected to cast a vote on election day.
casting vote

A casting vote is a vote which decides the matter when votes are equally divided. The Speaker of the House of Representatives does not vote in a division unless the vote is tied in which case he or she has a casting vote.
casual vacancy

A casual vacancy is a vacancy in the Senate that is caused when a senator dies or resigns before his or her term has expired. When the senator resigned unexpectedly, her state parliament appointed someone from the same political party to fill her seat.
caucus

Caucus is a group of parliamentarians who belong to a particular parliamentary party. The term is usually used in relation to the Australian Labor Party. Caucus met to decide whether they would support the private member’s bill.
censure motion

A censure motion is a motion moved in either the Senate or the House of Representatives which expresses disapproval of a particular minister, his or her policy, or of the government. If a censure motion is carried in the House of Representatives it is traditional for the government to resign.
chair

1. The chair is the person who is in charge of a meeting.
2. The chair is someone who is occupying their place, for example the Speaker or President, the Acting Speaker or the Deputy President. Senators and members bow to the chair when entering or leaving the chamber.

chamber

(see also house of parliament)

1. A chamber is meeting room of a house of parliament. In Australia's federal Parliament there are two chambers—the House of Representatives and the Senate. Either or both of these chambers may be referred to as a house.
2. A chamber is a law-making body. A bill must be agreed in both chambers before royal approval may be sought.

chief minister

A chief minister is the elected leader of the political party or parties that form a territory government. The chief minister congratulated her team on winning the election
citizen

1. A citizen is a person owing allegiance to a government and entitled to its protection. The Australian citizen took shelter in the Australian embassy while overseas.

2. A citizen is an inhabitant of a city or town, especially one entitled to its rights and liberties. The travelling citizen felt relieved to be home.
civic

1. Civic refers to a city or municipality. In his speech, the mayor spoke of his pride in the city’s new civic development.
2. Civic relates to that which is befitting a citizen or individual. The civic movement helped fix the problem of street pollution.

clause

(see also section)

A clause is a separate numbered item in a bill. The Senate agreed to the bill after an important clause was amended.
Clerk (of the House of Representatives or Senate)

The Clerk is the most senior parliamentary officer in each chamber. The Clerk records the decisions of the chamber. The Clerk read the title of the bill for a third time.
closure motion

(see gag)
coalition

A coalition is the joining together of two or more parliamentary parties to form a government or an opposition. The Liberal Party of Australia and the Nationals formed a coalition government.
Coat of Arms or Commonwealth Coat of Arms

(see Australian Coat of Arms)
commission

A commission is one or more people who have been instructed to inquire into certain matters or who have been given particular official duties. A commission was set up to investigate the increasing crime rate.
committee

(see also parliamentary committee)

A committee is a group of people selected from a larger group to discuss, investigate or report on a particular subject. The committee flew to Western Australia to see a wind farm in operation.
committee of the whole

Committee of the whole is an optional stage in the passage of a bill when the Senate considers a bill in detail using more flexible debating rules. During this stage amendments to the text of the bill may be moved. During committee of the whole the Senate agreed to make several amendments to the bill.
committee secretary

A committee secretary is a parliamentary officer who looks after the support arrangements for a parliamentary committee, including correspondence, record-keeping, research and arrangements for meetings where people give evidence. The committee secretary often prepares the first draft of a committee’s report. The secretary worked with committee members to ensure that a wide range of opinions were heard.
common law

Common law, is law based on custom or court decisions, as distinct from statute law. Common law is sometimes referred to as judge made or unwritten law.
commonwealth

A commonwealth is an association of states or nations that are self governing and share a common purpose. Australia is a participant in the Commonwealth of Nations.
Commonwealth of Australia

The Commonwealth of Australia is the Australian community. The Commonwealth of Australia is bound by the Australian Constitution. The Prime Minister and the leaders of the states and territories met to decide how the Commonwealth of Australia would respond to the threat of terrorism.
confidence of the House

The government is said to have the confidence of the House, if it has the support of more than half the members of the House of Representatives. This may be shown by voting on a particular issue. The government proved that it continued to have the confidence of the House when the motion of no confidence was defeated.
conscience vote

(see free vote)
consensus

Consensus is general agreement or accord. The non-controversial bill passed with the consensus of both chambers.
consideration in detail

Consideration in detail is an optional stage in the passage of a bill when when the House of Representatives considers a bill in detail and may move amendments to the text of the bill. During consideration in detail the House of Representatives agreed to make amendments to the bill.
constituent

A constituent is someone who votes or lives in an electorate or area represented by a member of parliament. The constituent's petition was acknowledged in the parliament.
constitution

A constitution is the set of rules by which a country or state is run. Australia’s Constitution came into force on 1 January 1901.
constitutional monarchy

A constitutional monarchy is a country in which a king or queen is the head of state but has to act in accordance with the constitution. Australia is governed by a constitutional monarchy, since our head of state is the Queen.
council

A council is the elected body in charge of legislation for a small local area such as a shire, city or municipality. The council proposed a new by-law to protect pedestrians in high traffic locations.
council chamber

The council chamber is the room where a local council meets. The council chamber was in a heritage building in the main street of the town.
Councillor

(see also alderman)

Councillor is the title for a person elected to local government. The councillor was cheered by business people pleased to hear that a new car park was being planned.
count-out

A count-out is an adjournment for lack of a quorum. The chamber was adjourned when a count-out revealed too few parliamentarians to continue the business of the chamber.
court

1. One or more judges acting as a tribunal to determine questions of law. The court decided that the action taken by the company was legal.
2. The place where legal cases and trials are heard. Many people gathered in the court to witness the case being heard.

crossbench

The crossbench refers to the seats in the Senate for senators who do not belong to either the government or the opposition. The crossbench is usually occupied by minor parties and/or independent senators. The crossbench split during the vote on the controversial bill.
cross the floor

To cross the floor is to vote against your party in a way that involves moving from one side of the chamber to the other. The government member crossed the floor and voted with the opposition in support of the people in her electorate.

Daily Program

The Daily Program is the daily agenda showing items of business to be dealt with in the House of Representatives in a particular day. The Daily Program is known as the 'Blue'.
deadlock

A deadlock is a situation where the Senate fails for a second time, within a specified time-frame, to pass a bill in the same form as the House of Representatives. The House and the Senate were in deadlock when neither could agree on the final wording of the bill.
debate

A debate is a controlled discussion on a bill or other topic in which different views are put forward. The debate on the ASIO bill triggered a lot of discussion which led to many amendments.
delegated legislation

Delegated legislation is law in the form of regulations, orders, guidelines or rules, which an Act of Parliament allows a minister or the Governor-General to make. The proposed delegated legislation was scrutinised by a parliamentary committee.
democracy

1. A democracy is a system of government where the people elect representatives to govern for them. Australia is a democracy.
2. A democracy is a country that has such a government. The Australian democracy provides for regular election of federal representatives.
3. Democracy is the idea that everyone in a country has equal rights. E B White once said; ‘a democracy is the recurrent suspicion that more than half of the people are right more than half of the time.’

departmental secretary

A departmental secretary is a public servant who is the head of a government department. The departmental secretary to the Department of Health and Ageing gave evidence during the inquiry.
despatch boxes

The despatch boxes are the two ornamental boxes on the table of the House of Representatives from which the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition, ministers and shadow ministers give their speeches. The despatch boxes were a gift to the Australian Parliament by King George V.
dictatorship

A dictatorship is a system of government in which one person or group has total power to govern a country with no parliamentary opposition. The country of Cuba operates under a dictatorship.
dissolution

(see also double dissolution)

A dissolution is an order given by the head of state to bring to an end the life of a parliament and which necessitates an election. The Governor-General announced the dissolution of the federal Parliament.
division

1. A division is the separation of members or senators to either side of the chamber to vote for or against a bill, amendment or motion. A division is counted and recorded. During the division a member crossed the floor, to the dismay of his party.
2. A division is one of the parts that a country or state is divided into for the purpose of holding elections. The division of Brisbane is in Queensland.

division bells

The division bells are electronic bells that ring through clocks in Parliament House. Division bells call members of parliament into the House of Representatives or Senate at the beginning of a meeting, because a vote is about to be taken, or because there are not enough members in the chamber. When the division bells began ringing the members had four minutes to get to the chamber to vote.
Dorothy Dix question or Dorothy Dixer

A Dorothy Dix question is a question asked in parliament by a member or senator, in the minister’s knowledge, which allows a minister to give a prepared reply. The government backbencher asked the Health Minister a Dorothy Dixer about the increased refund on private medical insurance.
double dissolution

(see also dissolution)

A double dissolution is an act of the Governor-General which dissolves the Senate and the House of Representatives simultaneously, resulting in the termination of all business before them, and the calling of an election to return members for all seats in both houses. A double dissolution may occur only in circumstances of deadlock between the houses. Section 57 of the Constitution gives the Governor-General the power to call a double dissolution.
draft bill

A draft bill is an early version of a proposed law before it is introduced to the parliament. The member distributed a draft bill for the consideration of others in her party.

economy

1. An economy is the total activities involved in the production, exchange and consumption of goods and services within a nation or confined area. The running of the national economy is the main concern of the Treasurer.

2. An economy is the use and management of the resources of a community, with a view to increasing productivity and avoiding waste.
election

An election is when a person or government is chosen by voting. A federal election is held at least once every three years for membership of Australia’s federal Parliament.
elector

An elector is a person who votes or is eligible to vote. All Australian citizens aged 18 years and over who are enrolled to vote are electors.
electoral roll

An electoral roll is a list naming all the people who are entitled to vote. All Australian citizens aged 18 years and over are required to place their name on the electoral roll.
electorate

1. An electorate is a geographical area represented by a member of parliament. The federal member was very keen to promote safe driving and safe roads in her electorate.

2. An electorate is all the people who live in an area represented by a member of parliament. The member represents the interests of his or her electorate in federal Parliament.
electorate office

An electorate office is where members work when parliament is not meeting in Canberra. The office is located within the electorate area. The member met a group of constituents in her electorate office.
estimates committee

Estimates committees are legislative and general purpose standing committees of the Senate which meet during set periods of the year, to scrutinise proposed spending, actions and decisions by executive government. During the estimates committee several senators questioned the departmental secretary about her department’s expenditure over the last six months.
exclusive power

Exclusive power is the power that only the federal Parliament has, by the Australian Constitution, to exclusively make laws in certain areas for the whole country. State parliaments may not legislate in these areas. The federal Parliament has exclusive power to make defence and communication laws.
Executive (the) and executive government

(see also ministry)

1. The Executive is the subset of government which carries out or administers law.
2. The Executive includes the Governor-General and ministers from the governing party who make policy and control government departments, and who are answerable to the Parliament for the way they run the government. The Executive is responsible for determining when and where the Australian defence force goes into operation.

executive power

Executive power is the power to administer the law, and one of the three powers under the Constitution, the others being legislative power (exercised by the Parliament) and judicial power (exercised by the High Court of Australia and other courts). The minister used executive power to set up new offices with the task of administering the new law.
expenditure

Expenditure is the act of spending or the amount spent. Expenditure on roads increased last year.
explanatory memorandum

An explanatory memorandum is a paper which explains the purpose and details of bills or regulations, usually in a simple and less technical way. An explanatory memorandum was handed out with each copy of the bill so that the bill could be more easily understood.

federal

Federal means having to do with the Parliament of Australia and/or Australian Government rather than state parliaments and/or state governments. The federal Parliament creates laws that apply to the whole country.
federal election

A federal election is the voting process for all the seats in the House of Representatives and usually half the seats of each state, in the Senate. The federal election led to a change of government and a new Prime Minister of Australia.
Federal Executive Council

The Federal Executive Council is the council of ministers which advises the Governor-General and gives legal form to Cabinet decisions. The Federal Executive Council met to consider the new diplomatic appointment.
federal member

A federal member is a member of parliament who represents a federal electorate in the House of Representatives. The federal member was happy to support the thriving local community of daffodil growers.
federal Parliament

(see also Parliament of Australia, the Parliament)

The federal Parliament refers to the national Parliament (as distinct from state parliaments). The federal Parliament consists of the elected members of the House of Representatives and the Senate, and the Queen. The federal parliament is also known as the Parliament of Australia, the Australian Parliament, the Parliament and the Commonwealth Parliament of Australia. The federal Parliament meets at Parliament House in Canberra.
federal government

see Australian Government
federalism

Federalism is a system of government in which powers and responsibilities are divided between a federal government and regional or state governments. Federalism operates throughout Australia since the responsibility to govern is shared between the Commonwealth and the states.
federation

A federation is a nation formed by the union of a number of states which give up some of their power to a central government. The Australian federation was formed on 1 January 1901.
filibuster

To filibuster is to use long speeches or other tactics in parliament deliberately to delay proceedings. The filibuster tactic left the member hoarse and tired.
first reading stage

The first reading is the first of three principal stages that mark the passage of a bill to an Act, when the Clerk reads the long title of the bill to the chamber for the first time. A bill passes through the first reading stage in both the House of Representatives and the Senate.
first speech

The first speech (formerly known as the maiden speech) is the first formal speech in parliament by a newly elected member or senator, during which they are traditionally heard without interruption. The member was heard without interruption as she delivered her maiden speech.
foreign affairs

Foreign affairs refers to a country’s relations with other countries. Australia has a Minister for Foreign Affairs.
freedom of information

Freedom of information is the principle that citizens should have the right to see most government reports and papers, particularly those that relate to their personal affairs. The media obtained sensitive information by using their right to freedom of information.
free vote

A free vote is a vote in parliament in which members or senators are free to vote according to their own judgment or belief and not necessarily according to the guidelines, policies or decisions of their political party. The debate prior to the free vote attracted a lot of media attention.
frontbench

The frontbench is those members of parliament who are ministers or shadow ministers and who sit on the front bench of the chamber. The Minister for Finance is a member of the government frontbench.
frontbencher

A frontbencher is a member of parliament who is a minister or a shadow minister. Frontbenchers sit on the front bench in each chamber. The frontbencher rose to answer a question from an opposition backbencher.

federal

Federal means having to do with the Parliament of Australia and/or Australian Government rather than state parliaments and/or state governments. The federal Parliament creates laws that apply to the whole country.
federal election

A federal election is the voting process for all the seats in the House of Representatives and usually half the seats of each state, in the Senate. The federal election led to a change of government and a new Prime Minister of Australia.
Federal Executive Council

The Federal Executive Council is the council of ministers which advises the Governor-General and gives legal form to Cabinet decisions. The Federal Executive Council met to consider the new diplomatic appointment.
federal member

A federal member is a member of parliament who represents a federal electorate in the House of Representatives. The federal member was happy to support the thriving local community of daffodil growers.
federal Parliament

(see also Parliament of Australia, the Parliament)

The federal Parliament refers to the national Parliament (as distinct from state parliaments). The federal Parliament consists of the elected members of the House of Representatives and the Senate, and the Queen. The federal parliament is also known as the Parliament of Australia, the Australian Parliament, the Parliament and the Commonwealth Parliament of Australia. The federal Parliament meets at Parliament House in Canberra.
federal government

see Australian Government
federalism

Federalism is a system of government in which powers and responsibilities are divided between a federal government and regional or state governments. Federalism operates throughout Australia since the responsibility to govern is shared between the Commonwealth and the states.
federation

A federation is a nation formed by the union of a number of states which give up some of their power to a central government. The Australian federation was formed on 1 January 1901.
filibuster

To filibuster is to use long speeches or other tactics in parliament deliberately to delay proceedings. The filibuster tactic left the member hoarse and tired.
first reading stage

The first reading is the first of three principal stages that mark the passage of a bill to an Act, when the Clerk reads the long title of the bill to the chamber for the first time. A bill passes through the first reading stage in both the House of Representatives and the Senate.
first speech

The first speech (formerly known as the maiden speech) is the first formal speech in parliament by a newly elected member or senator, during which they are traditionally heard without interruption. The member was heard without interruption as she delivered her maiden speech.
foreign affairs

Foreign affairs refers to a country’s relations with other countries. Australia has a Minister for Foreign Affairs.
freedom of information

Freedom of information is the principle that citizens should have the right to see most government reports and papers, particularly those that relate to their personal affairs. The media obtained sensitive information by using their right to freedom of information.
free vote

A free vote is a vote in parliament in which members or senators are free to vote according to their own judgment or belief and not necessarily according to the guidelines, policies or decisions of their political party. The debate prior to the free vote attracted a lot of media attention.
frontbench

The frontbench is those members of parliament who are ministers or shadow ministers and who sit on the front bench of the chamber. The Minister for Finance is a member of the government frontbench.
frontbencher

A frontbencher is a member of parliament who is a minister or a shadow minister. Frontbenchers sit on the front bench in each chamber. The frontbencher rose to answer a question from an opposition backbencher.

Hansard

Hansard is the daily record of the words spoken in parliament. The student accessed Hansard records from 1988 on the Parliament of Australia website.
head of state

The head of state is the formal leader of a country or group of people organised under one government. When a head of state visits the Parliament his or her national flag is flown.
High Court of Australia

The High Court of Australia is the judicial power set up under the Australian Constitution to rule on disputes that arise from the Constitution, and to hear appeals from other federal courts and the supreme courts of each state. Most sittings of the High Court of Australia take place in Canberra.
honourable

Honourable is a title reserved for current and former ministers, and for certain other people such as the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives. The honourable member retired after a long and distinguished career in the federal Parliament.
House of Assembly

The House of Assembly is the name of the lower house of parliament in the state parliaments of South Australia and Tasmania. The House of Assembly sat late into the night.
House of Commons

The House of Commons is one of two houses of parliament in the United Kingdom and Canada, in which members are elected on the basis of population. The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom sits in the House of Commons.
House of Lords

The House of Lords is one of two houses of parliament in the United Kingdom comprising hereditary, appointed and elected members. The House of Lords is also known as the upper house.
house of parliament or house

(see also chamber)

A house is a separate part of a law-making body. The Australian Parliament has two houses—the House of Representatives and the Senate.
House of Representatives

(see also people’s house)

The House of Representatives is one of two federal houses of the Australian Parliament. The House of Representatives is also known as the lower house, the people’s house or the House. Visitors to the Parliament of Australia sat in the public galleries and watched Question Time in the House of Representatives.
house of review

The Senate is sometimes called the house of review, meaning a house which provides a second look or a close re-examination of matters considered in the House of Representatives. The bill was sent to a Senate committee in the house of review.
how-to-vote card

A how-to-vote card is a card or piece of paper handed out at an election by a political party or candidate showing the voter how the party or candidate would prefer the voter to vote. The first-time voter appreciated the distribution of how-to-vote cards.

in camera

To be in camera is to be in private or in secret. The witness appearing before the parliamentary committee asked to give evidence in camera.
Independent

An Independent is a member of parliament who does not belong to a political party. The Independent senator stated that he did not agree with the recommendations being put forward by either of the two major parties.
informal vote

An informal vote is a voting paper which is not counted during a federal election because it has not been filled in correctly. The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) was pleased by the drop in informal votes.
in order

To be in order is to be in agreement with the rules of parliamentary procedure. The President ruled that the question was in order.
interest group

An interest group is a body of people organised to further a cause or an interest which they have in common. Members of parliament often get letters from interest groups seeking their support.
interjection

An interjection is a remark made to interrupt or respond to a point during a speech or conversation. THe Minister's speech was interrupted by a loud interjection from the public galleries.

joint committee

A joint committee is a parliamentary committee made up of members of both houses of parliament. The joint committee demonstrated the ability of both houses to work together to solve a problem.
joint sitting

A joint sitting is a combined meeting of the House of Representatives and Senate in one chamber, usually to make a decision on a proposed law which the two houses, sitting separately, have been unable to agree on. A joint sitting of the parliament was required to finally resolve the legislative deadlock.
Journals of the Senate

The Journals of the Senate are the official records or minutes of meetings of the Senate. The proposed amendments to the bill were recorded in the Journals of the Senate.
judge

A judge is someone whose job is to hear and decide cases in a court of law. Australia’s judges work in a number of courts including the High Court of Australia, federal courts and the supreme courts.
judicial power

Judicial power is the power to interpret or apply the law and one of three powers under the Constitution, the others being legislative power (exercised by the Parliament) and executive power (exercised by the Executive). The judge defended the court’s judicial power when the minister criticised his interpretation of the law.
Judiciary (the)

1. The Judiciary is the branch of Australian governance concerned with the administration of justice. It is made up of the system of courts and judges. The Judiciary responded to laws proposing mandatory consequences for first time offenders.
2. The Judiciary is a term which applies to the collection of people who hold the office of judge.

justice

Justice is the act of doing what is right and fair. In Australia the system of courts and judges is responsible for seeing that justice is done.