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Glossary of Political Terms

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A

Act of Parliament

Starts as a Bill and becomes an Act on receiving Assent. (1)  A law made by Parliament; (2) Consequently, a Bill which has passed all three readings and received the Royal Assent.

Address

A method by which the House imparts information to the Crown.

Address in Reply

The formal answer by the Legislative Assembly to the Governor's speech made at the opening of Parliament.

Adjournment

A motion causing a temporary pause in the parliamentary proceedings such as the end to the day's sittings.

Adjournment Debate

A half hour debate involving six Members held at the end of a sitting day prior to the House adjourning, which allows Members to speak on topics of their choice.

Adult Suffrage

The right of eligible adults to vote in elections.

Affirmation

The alternative for Members, other than swearing an oath, prior to them taking their seats or voting in the Parliament.  The Queensland Constitution requires Members to swear an oath or make an affirmation of allegiance recognising the Queen as the lawful sovereign.

Agency; government agency

A unit of public administration. The term is broader than department, and includes semi-independent units within the public service (e.g. Office of the Queensland Parliamentary Counsel; Office of the Cabinet), and statutory bodies outside the public service.

Amendment

An alteration by insertion or omission of words to a motion or a Bill.

Annual Report

The yearly report from the Parliamentary Service, government departments, statutory authorities, committees, etc., many of which are presented by the pertinent Minister or chairperson and laid on the Table of the House.

Appropriation Bill

A Bill by which the Parliament authorises the Government's expenditures.

Assent

An agreement to a proposal.  This is the final step in enactment. See also Royal Assent.

Auditor-General

An officer appointed by the Parliament to audit the accounts of departments and statutory authorities in terms of their parliamentary appropriations and then report to the legislature.

Australian Labor Party

The oldest, continuous party in Queensland and Australia. Beginning in Queensland in 1890, the party has governed the State from 1915 to 1929, 1932 to 1957, 1989 to 1996, and presently from 1998.