Civics and Citizenship – Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards covering major civics and citizenship concepts discussed in the lecture notes.

Political Spectrum

A system for classifying political positions and ideologies—traditionally ordered from left (progressive) to right (conservative).

Left-Wing

A political stance favouring social equality, government intervention in the economy, and progressive reform.

Right-Wing

A political stance favouring free markets, limited government intervention in the economy, and traditional social values.

Authoritarian

A belief in strong central authority, limited personal freedoms, and strict obedience to government.

Libertarian

A belief in minimal government intervention in both economic and personal matters, emphasising individual freedom.

Political Compass

A two-axis model (economic left-right and authoritarian-libertarian) used to plot political ideologies.

Mass Media

All technologies and organisations that communicate information to large audiences simultaneously.

Role of the Media

To act as a conduit of political information and a watchdog against abuses of power in a democracy.

Media Bias

Partial or prejudiced reporting by a media outlet, favouring a particular viewpoint or group.

Watchdog Journalism

Investigative reporting intended to expose wrongdoing and hold powerful actors accountable.

Concentration of Ownership

A situation where a few corporations control the majority of media outlets, limiting diversity of viewpoints.

Australian Parliament

The federal legislature of Australia, comprising the House of Representatives and the Senate.

Bicameral

A legislature made up of two separate chambers or houses.

House of Representatives

The lower house of Australia’s Parliament; 151 members; forms government.

Senate

The upper house of Australia’s Parliament; 76 members; reviews legislation.

Prime Minister

Leader of the party holding majority support in the House of Representatives and head of government.

Cabinet

The Prime Minister and senior ministers who develop and implement government policy.

Opposition

The largest party or coalition not in government, responsible for scrutinising the government’s work.

Shadow Cabinet

Senior opposition members who mirror government ministers and critique their portfolios.

Political Party

An organised group with shared policy goals that seeks to win seats in Parliament.

Minor Party

A smaller political party with limited seats that may influence legislation, especially in the Senate.

Balance of Power

The ability of minor parties and independents to decide votes when major parties lack a majority.

Preferential Voting

House of Representatives system where voters rank candidates; votes are redistributed until one has an absolute majority.

Proportional Representation

Senate voting system where candidates win seats according to the proportion of votes received, using a quota.

First-Past-the-Post

A voting system where the candidate with the most votes wins, even without an absolute majority (not used federally in Australia).

Informal Vote

A ballot paper that is incorrectly completed and therefore not counted in the election result.

Donkey Vote

A ballot where candidates are numbered sequentially top to bottom with little thought, still formal but possibly unintended preference.

Negative Advertisement

Campaign message that criticises an opponent to reduce their support.

Positive Advertisement

Campaign message highlighting a party’s achievements or aspirations to build support.

Scare Campaign

Political advertising that exaggerates threats or negative outcomes to influence voters through fear.

Truth in Political Advertising

The principle that campaign messages should be factually accurate—currently not legally enforced in Australia.

Campaign Spending Caps

Legal limits on how much money parties or candidates may spend on election advertising; not present federally in Australia.

Pork-Barrelling

Allocating government funds to marginal electorates to win votes rather than on objective need.

Australian Constitution

Australia’s foundational legal document outlining government structure, powers, and processes.

Constitutional Convention

An unwritten rule consistently followed in political practice, despite not being legally codified.

Express Rights

Specific protections explicitly written in the Constitution (e.g., freedom of religion).

Implied Rights

Rights not explicitly stated but interpreted by the High Court as existing within the Constitution (e.g., implied freedom of political communication).

Referendum

A nationwide vote required to approve any change to the Constitution.

Double Majority

The requirement for a referendum to pass: a national majority of voters and a majority of voters in at least four states.

Separation of Powers

The division of governmental power among the legislature, executive, and judiciary to prevent abuse.

Responsible Government

System where the executive is drawn from and accountable to the legislature, blurring strict separation between them.

Specific Powers

Areas of law-making authority granted to the Commonwealth Parliament under Section 51 of the Constitution.

Residual Powers

Powers not listed in the Constitution, remaining with the states (e.g., education, policing).

Concurrent Powers

Areas where both Commonwealth and states may legislate; Commonwealth law prevails in conflicts (Section 109).

Section 109

Constitutional clause stating that Commonwealth law overrides state law when the two are inconsistent.

Federalism

A system dividing power between national and state governments under a constitution.

Legislature

Branch of government that makes and debates laws; in Australia, the Parliament.

Executive

Branch that administers and enforces laws; in Australia, the Governor-General and the ministry.

Judiciary

Independent courts that interpret and apply the law, headed by the High Court of Australia.