11.1 The Bicameral Structure of Parliament

legislature

a legal term used to describe the body having the primary power to make law (i.e. parliament)

bicameral parliament

a parliament with two houses (chambers)

minor party

a political party that can pressure the government on specific issues to bring about law reform, despite not having enough member or electoral support to win government

balance of power

a situation where no single party has a majority of seats in one or both houses of parliament, meaning the power to reject or approve bills is held by a small number of people

i.e. members of minor parties or independents

hostile upper house

a situation in which the government does not hold a majority of seats in the upper house and relies on the support of the opposition or crossbench to have their bill passed

rubber stamp

used to describe a situation where the upper house of parliament automatically approves decisions made in the lower house because the government holds majority in both

private member

a member of parliament who is not a government minister

secondary legislation

rules and regulations made by secondary authorities that are given the power to do so by parliament (i.e. local councils, government departments)