Government and Democracy Quiz Revision - Key Vocabulary

Essential vocabulary from the lecture notes covering Australian government, democracy, constitutional concepts and political processes.

Democracy

A system of government in which power is vested in the people, who rule either directly or through freely elected representatives.

Constitution

A written set of fundamental principles or established precedents according to which a state is governed.

Australian Constitution

The Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act (1900), which outlines the powers of the federal system and can only be altered by referendum.

Referendum

A compulsory nationwide vote to add, remove or change words in the Constitution, requiring a double majority to pass.

Double Majority

For a referendum to pass: (1) a majority of voters nationally, and (2) majorities in at least four of the six states must vote ‘Yes’.

Federalism

A system of government where power is divided between one central authority and several regional authorities.

Bicameral

A legislature consisting of two separate chambers or houses.

Unicameral

A legislature that has only one chamber or house.

Parliament

The supreme law-making body, consisting of the Crown and two houses at the federal level in Australia.

House of Representatives

The lower house of Australia’s Federal Parliament; government is formed here.

Senate

The upper house of Australia’s Federal Parliament; reviews legislation and represents the states.

Governor-General

The King’s representative in Australia who performs constitutional and ceremonial duties, including giving Royal Assent.

Royal Assent

Formal approval by the Governor-General (or Governor) that makes a bill an Act of Parliament.

Constitutional Monarchy

A political system where a monarch is head of state under a constitution that limits royal powers.

Republic

A political system in which the head of state is elected, not hereditary.

Westminster System

Parliamentary model inherited from Britain featuring responsible government, bicameralism and an executive drawn from the legislature.

Representative Democracy

A system where citizens elect representatives to make laws and govern on their behalf.

Electorate

A geographical voting division containing roughly 110 000 voters who elect one member to parliament.

Parliamentary Majority

More than 50 % of seats in the lower house, enabling a party or coalition to form government.

Coalition

An alliance between two or more political parties—e.g., Liberal and Nationals—to form government.

Opposition

The largest party or coalition not in government, responsible for scrutinising and challenging government actions.

Question Time

A daily parliamentary session where ministers are questioned about government policies and administration.

Political Party

An organised group sharing similar political ideas that seeks to have its members elected to parliament.

Party Platform

The collection of policies, promises and values a political party presents to voters.

Mandate

Authority claimed by a party to implement its policies after winning an election.

Cabinet

The meeting of senior ministers, led by the Prime Minister, that decides major government policy.

Executive Government

The branch that carries laws into effect; comprises the Prime Minister, ministers and the public service.

Portfolio

A specific area of government responsibility managed by a minister (e.g., Health, Defence).

Bureaucracy (Public Service)

Departments and agencies that administer and implement government laws and policies.

Separation of Powers

The division of government responsibilities into legislative, executive and judicial branches to prevent abuse of power.

High Court of Australia

The highest court, which interprets the Constitution and resolves disputes between federal and state governments.

Preferential Voting

Electoral system where voters rank candidates; preferences are redistributed until one gains an absolute majority.

Proportional Voting

Electoral system allocating seats roughly in proportion to each party’s share of the vote, used in the Senate.

First-Past-the-Post

Voting system where the candidate with the most votes wins, even without an absolute majority.

Opinion Poll

A survey measuring public attitudes toward issues or political parties at a given time.

Bandwagon Effect

The tendency for people to support a candidate or party perceived as likely to win, influenced by polls or betting odds.

Focus Group

A small, moderated discussion used to gauge voters’ attitudes toward policies or messages.

Interest Group

An organised body aiming to influence government policy without seeking election (e.g., trade unions, industry lobbies).

Lobbyist

A person paid to influence legislators or government officials on behalf of an interest group.

Free Media

News outlets operating without undue government interference, essential for informed democratic debate.

Fake News

Deliberately false or misleading information presented as legitimate news, often spread via social media.

National Cabinet

Regular meeting of the Prime Minister, State Premiers and Territory Chief Ministers to coordinate national responses, especially in crises.

Teal Independents

Recent group of centrist, climate-focused independent MPs who defeated traditional Liberal candidates in safe seats.

Policy

A planned course of action adopted by a government or political party on an issue.

Public Debate

Open discussion where citizens express views on issues, helping shape government decisions.

Freedom of Speech (Political Communication)

The implied constitutional protection allowing discussion of political matters necessary for representative government.