Australian and Victorian Politics: The Westminster and Bicameral Systems

This set of vocabulary flashcards covers the fundamental structures and roles within the Australian federal and Victorian state political systems, including the Westminster system, bicameralism, and key parliamentary positions.

Westminster system

A democratic system of government where the federal parliament rules the nation, state parliaments have certain law-making powers, and it involving a “sovereign head” representing the King and a Constitution.

Bicameral system

A system of parliament where the parliament is divided into two houses or chambers.

House of Representatives

The lower house of the federal parliament, coloured green, with $150$ seats, responsible for forming government and passing legislation.

Senate

The upper house of the federal parliament, coloured red, with $76$ seats ($12$ per state and $2$ per territory), responsible for scrutinizing government activity and monitoring spending.

Governor-General

The King’s Representative at the federal level whose primary role is to grant or refuse royal assent to bills passed by federal parliament.

Legislative Assembly

The green-coloured lower house of the Victorian State Parliament where the winning party forms government and its leader becomes the Premier.

Legislative Council

The red-coloured upper house of the Victorian State Parliament with primary roles similar to those of the Senate.

Governor

The representative of the King at the state level who grants royal assent to bills and commissions the Premier.

“People’s House”

A common reference for the House of Representatives as it remains representative of society.

“State’s house”

A common reference for the Senate as it reflects the views and values of the states.

“government of the day”

A term used to refer to the current government in power.

Royal assent

The formal approval given to bills by the Governor-General or Governor, without which bills cannot be passed into law.

Rubber stamp upper house

A situation where the party holding the majority in the lower house also holds the majority in the upper house, leading to bills passing with minimal scrutiny.

Hostile upper house

A situation where the party holding the majority in the lower house does not hold the majority in the upper house, resulting in heavy scrutiny and difficulty passing bills.

Premier

The leader of the political party that wins the majority of seats in the Victorian Legislative Assembly.

Prime Minister

The leader of the political party that wins the majority of seats ($76+$) in the federal House of Representatives.