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An Act that provides, among other things, for a pre-election costing of Government and Opposition commitments and policies during the caretaker period. The Charter is the subject of significant controversy.
The set of rules by which a country or state is governed. In Australia, the Constitution was written in the 1890s and it sets out the structure of Australian Federal Government. The Constitution can only be explicitly amended by referendum.
Conventions are non-legal rules that guide political practice in areas on which the Constitution is silent.
The House of Representatives is dissolved by the Governor-General under mechanisms specified in the Constitution (s. 5) and (s. 57).
Colloquial term for dissolution of both the Senate and the House of Representatives arising when the Senate blocks, fails to pass or amends a bill unacceptably on two occasions with a gap of at least three months.
Executive Council is a formal body of the Governor-General or Governor meeting with members of the Cabinet. Governor-General-in-Council/Governor-in-Council gives legal effect to many of the decisions of Government such as subordinate legislation and appointments.
The New Zealand electoral system, introduced in 1996, is based on each elector having two votes—one for a party and one for a local candidate.
A discontinuation of a session of Parliament without necessarily dissolving it. The Commonwealth Parliament is sometimes prorogued immediately prior to a dissolution of the House of Representatives.
The Governor-General or Governor gives assent to laws when they have been passed by Parliament. This is the final step in the legislative process with assent giving legal effect to Bills becoming Acts.
Subordinate legislation is made under the authority of existing Acts. Subordinate legislation includes regulations, by-laws, orders, ordinances, statutory instruments and notices. Subordinate legislation is signed by Governor-General/Governor-in-Council.
The Westminster model of government is based on practices of the British Government, many of which are adopted by a range of representative democracies. Elements of the Westminster model include: parliamentary sovereignty; a collective and responsible cabinet; ministers accountable to Parliament; a non-partisan and permanent civil service; and an Opposition recognised as an executive-in-waiting.