HASS

TERM DEFINITION DEFINITION IN YOUR OWN WORDS

(include an example where relevant)

Parliament The law-making body. In

Australia it includes the House

of Representatives and the

Senate (and the King

represented by the Governor-

General at federal level).

Legislature The branch of government

that makes and changes laws

(Parliament).

Executive The branch that puts laws into

action and runs the country

day-to-day (Prime Minister,

ministers, departments).

Judiciary The branch that interprets and

applies the law (courts and

judges).

Separation of

powers

A system where legislative,

executive and judicial powers

are held by different bodies to

prevent too much power in

one place.

Division of

powers

How law-making

responsibilities are split

between Commonwealth,

State and Local governments.

2Federalism A system where power is

shared between a national

government and state/territory

governments.

Constitution The set of rules that outlines

how Australia is governed and

how power is distributed.

Referendum A vote of the people on a

proposed change to the

Australian Constitution.

Double

majority

To pass a referendum: a

majority of voters nationwide

AND a majority of voters in at

least 4 of the 6 states vote YES.

Constitutional

monarchy

A system where a monarch is

head of state but their power

is limited by a constitution.

Governor-

General

The King’s representative in

Australia who performs

constitutional duties such as

giving Royal Assent.

Royal Assent The final approval step that

turns a bill passed by

Parliament into law.
Preferential

voting

A voting system where voters

rank candidates; preferences

are distributed until a

candidate has an absolute

majority.

Absolute

majority

More than 50% of the formal

votes.

House of

Representatives

The lower house of federal

Parliament; each electorate

elects one representative.

Senate The upper house; represents

states and territories.

Australian

Electoral

Commission

(AEC)

The independent body that

runs federal elections and

referendums.

Secret ballot Voting is private; nobody

knows how you voted unless

you tell them.

Compulsory

voting

Voting is required for eligible

citizens in Australian federal

elections.

Liberal

democracy

A democratic system that

protects rights and freedoms,

uses free and fair elections,

and limits government power

through laws and institutions.

4Rule of law Everyone, including

government, must follow the

law and is equal before the

law.

Representation Citizens choose people to

make decisions on their

behalf.

Accountability Government must explain and

justify decisions and can be

questioned or voted out.

Coalition Two or more parties working

together to form government.

Opposition The largest party or group not

in government that scrutinises

government actions.

Cabinet A group of senior ministers who

make major decisions and set

policy priorities.

Bill A proposed law that is

debated in Parliament.