Legal Studies

Westminster system

A parliamentary system of government that was developed in Britain and upon in which Australia's parliamentary system is modelled

Law

Legal rules made by a legal authority that are enforceable by the police and other agencies

Opposition

The political party that holds the second highest

Australian constitution

A set of ules and principles that guide the way Australia is governed. Passed by the British parliament and its formal title is "Commonwealth of Australia Constitution ACT 1900 (UK)"

Federation of Australia

The union of sovereign states that gave up some of their powers to a central authority to form Australia.

Sanction

A penalty imposed by court on a person guilty of a criminal offence

Political party

An organisation that represents a group of people with shared values and ideas, which aims to have its members to be elected to parliament

Bi-Cameral

Two houses of parliament with an upper and lower party. Commonwealth (HOR + Senate) and Victorian (Legislative council + Legislative assembly)

Non-legal rules

Laws made by private individuals or groups in society, such as parents and schools, which are not enforceable by the courts

Rule of law

The principle that everyone in society is bound by law and must obey the law, and that laws should be fair and clear, so people are willing and able to obey them

Government

The ruling authority with power to govern, formed by the political party that holds the majority in the lower house in each parliament.

Independents

Individuals who stand as candidates in an election but do not belong to a political party

Parliament

A formal assembly of representatives of the people that is elected by the people and gathers together to make laws

Act of Parliament

A law made by parliament; a bill that has passed through parliament and has received royal assent

Governor

The queens representative at state level

Governor General

The queens representative at commonwealth level

House of Representatives

The lower house of the commonwealth Parliament

Legislative Assembly

The lower house of state parliament

Senate

The upper house of the commonwealth Parliament

Social cohesion

The willingness of members of a society to cooperate with each other in order to survive and prosper

Cabinet

The policy making body made up of the Prime minster, Premier and a range of senior minsters

Minister

A member of Parliament who is in charge of the government department

Court Hierarchy

The ranking of courts from highest to lowest according to the seriousness and complexity of the matters they deal with

Legislative council

The upper house of state parliament