Year 11 Politics and Law Revision Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards for key terms and concepts from Year 11 Politics and Law Revision Seminar 2024.

Legislative Process

The process by which a bill becomes an Act of Parliament, involving readings, debates, committee considerations, and approval by both houses of Parliament and the Governor-General.

First Reading

The stage in the legislative process where a bill is introduced to either the House of Representatives or the Senate.

Second Reading

The stage in the legislative process where members or senators debate and vote on the main idea of the bill.

Consideration in Detail

The stage in the legislative process where members or senators discuss the bill in detail, including any proposed amendments.

Third Reading

The stage in the legislative process where members or senators vote on the bill in its final form.

Royal Assent

The final approval of a bill by the Governor-General, which transforms the bill into an Act of Parliament.

National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) Act 2023

An act that establishes the National Anti-Corruption Commission to investigate serious or systemic corruption in the Commonwealth public sector.

Migration Amendment (Bridging Visa Conditions) Bill 2023

Legislation imposing conditions on released detainees, such as electronic monitoring, curfews, and ministerial approval for working with vulnerable people.

Migration Amendment (Removal and Other Measures) Bill 2024

A bill providing the government with tools to strengthen immigration compliance, including penalties for non-cooperation with removal efforts and powers to designate 'removal concern countries'.

Treasury Laws Amendment (Cost of Living Taxcuts) Bill 2024

A bill amending tax rates and thresholds to provide cost-of-living relief, including reducing the lowest tax rate and raising the thresholds for higher tax rates.

Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Closing Loopholes) Bill 2023

Amendments to the Fair Work Act, including criminalizing wage theft and allowing casual employees to request conversion to permanent status.

Restoring Territory Rights Act 2022

An act amending the Australian Capital Territory (Self Government) Act 1988 and the Northern Territory (Self Government) Act 1978 to remove the prohibition on legalizing euthanasia.

Constitutional Monarchy

A type of government where a constitution limits a monarch's power, with the monarch having legal executive power but no real power. In Australia, it reflects constitutionalism.

Westminster Parliamentary Government

A system in which the executive branch is formed by, within, and responsible to the legislative branch, reflecting representative government and Westminster conventions.

Federalism

A system of government where sovereignty is divided between a national government and regional governments, with a division of powers, reflecting the division of powers.

Common Law

The body of law created by the courts in Australia through the establishment of precedent.

Stare Decisis

A Latin phrase meaning 'to stand by what has been decided,' requiring judges to apply existing precedents in cases of similar factual circumstances.

Ratio Decidendi

The reason for a court's decision, which establishes a principle followed by future courts.

Obiter Dictum

Statements 'by the way' in a court judgment that are not essential to the decision and not binding as precedent.

Doctrine of Precedent

The principle that relies on a court hierarchy to ensure consistency of decisions, allowing higher courts to create new laws or update old laws.

Judicial Process

The systems and procedures used by courts to adjudicate legal disputes, which may relate to trial processes, precedent/common law, or the operation of the court hierarchy.

British Heritage

The historical and cultural traditions inherited from Britain that have shaped Australia's legal and political systems.

Rule of Law

A system where government actions are subject to legal review, ensuring the protection of rights and freedoms.

Separation of Powers

The principle that governmental power is divided among multiple independent branches to prevent tyranny.

Accountable Government

The obligation of the government to justify its actions to the public, ensuring transparency and accountability.