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Glossary of Political Terms
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Pairs
An agreement, usually made by the party whips, whereby an absent member arranges for a member on the opposite side of the Chamber to be also absent during a vote in a division.
Papers
The various reports and documents tabled during a parliamentary sitting.
Parliament
The state's representative and legislative institution which, under the Queensland Constitution Acts, consists of the Queen and the Legislative Assembly.
Parliament House
In Queensland, the building on the corner of George and Alice Streets where the State Parliament meets-originally designed by Charles Tiffin, the Queensland Colonial Architect of the 1860s.
Parliamentarian
See Member of Parliament.
Parliamentary Commissioner for Administrative Investigations
See Ombudsman.
Parliamentary Committee
A group of parliamentarians usually from all parties, who are responsible for certain functions, or who investigate and report back to the Parliament on particular issues, in most cases with recommendations.
Parliamentary Counsel
A body of legal officers who draft or prepare the Bill format of proposals for new laws.
Parliamentary Librarian
A permanent officer responsible for the Library, which provides information and research requirements for members and the various committees.
Parliamentary Procedures
The body of rules by which the parliament functions, that have evolved from traditional practice, the Standing Orders and the precedents of Presiding Officers' Rulings.
Parliamentary Secretary.
Parliamentary Secretary
A parliamentary secretary in a ministry may be appointed from among members of parliament to assist in the discharge of their duties and functions.
Parliamentary Service
The group of parliamentary employees who provide services and support for the Queensland Parliament and its members.
Parliamentary Term
The three year period stipulated in the Queensland Constitution over which the parliament can no longer continue from the first meeting of the House after an election.
Pecuniary Interest
Under the Standing Orders, a member cannot vote in the House on a matter involving a direct pecuniary interest. By Resolution of the House, all members are required to detail their pecuniary interests in a register.
Personal Explanation
A procedure which allows members to provide to the Parliament an explanation regarding their particular statements or actions or the rebuttal of statements or actions of which they are aggrieved.
Petition
An ancient right by which citizens can have their grievances brought to the notice of the parliament by a member on their behalf.
Plain English
Material that uses content, language, presentation, structure and style aimed at making the material readable and understandable by the people for whom the material is intended.
Platform
The electoral promises of a party.
Plural Voting
Up until 1905, eligible voters owning property in more than one electorate were entitled to a vote in each one.
Policy
The decisions, processes and priorities of government and the positions that governments take on issues. Policies guide the programs and activities of government. Policies are reflected in government's use of resources and the goals the government wants to achieve. A policy can be a written document, an intention, goal or priority or a commitment to achieve something. For example, the decision to build a new school or highway are both policy choices; the objective to reduce crime or unemployment in the community are also policy choices.
Policy Instrument
The means by which a policy is implemented. A policy instrument may be a legal document like an Act of Parliament, another document like a brochure or set of administrative guidelines, a program of service delivery, or an activity of government like construction of infrastructure.
Policy Paper
A document explaining the government policy position on a particular issue. Sometimes called a white paper because it was traditionally printed on white coloured paper. Compare discussion paper.
Populous
Densely populated.
Portfolio
A Minister's area of responsibility as a member of Cabinet.
Prayer
The traditional beginning to the sitting day recited by the Speaker prior to the Legislative Assembly's daily business.
Preferential Voting
A voting system whereby voters are required to cast votes in a preferential order for all candidates.
Premier
The leader of the parliamentary majority party and the Chief Minister in the State Government.
Presiding Officers
The members of parliament elected to preside over the parliamentary proceedings in the Chamber, and include the Speaker, the Chairman of Committees and Temporary Chairman of Committees.
Press Gallery
(1) The journalists who report the parliamentary proceedings for the media; (2) the gallery above the Chamber set aside for their use.
Pressure Group
An organisation that tries to influence government policy in a particular area of concern, without being a political party fielding candidates with a view to assuming office in government.
Private Member's Bill
A Bill introduced by any member as an individual who is not a government Minister.
Private Members' Motions
A one hour debate from 6.00 p.m., with the mover allowed ten minutes and the other speakers five minutes, on a topic which has been moved as a Notice of Motion in the morning.
Private Members' Statements
Prior to Question Time, in the time allowable, Members may speak for two minutes on any topic.
Privilege
The protection accorded to the parliament, its members, and its publications in order to assure the right of freedom of speech.
Proclamation
Traditionally the sovereign's responsibility, proclamations are issued by the Governor and cover declarations of a state of emergency, the commencement of legislation or dealings in Crown Land.
Prorogue
To end a session of parliament without calling an election. When the Governor prorogues parliament on the advice of the Premier, the business of the parliament begins afresh for the rest of the session.
Prorogation
The termination of a session of parliament by the Governor.
Public Gallery
The gallery or seated area above the Chamber from which the public can watch the parliamentary proceedings.
Public Officer
An employee of a department or other public instrumentality.
Public Sector
In contrast to the private sector, that part of a nation's or state's economic activity owned and controlled by the government, and includes the public service as well as government instrumentalities and enterprises.
Public Service
In Queensland, the government departments and their employees, who are known as public servants, and are covered by the
Public Service Act 1996.
Public servant
A public officer employed under the Public Service Management and
Employment Act 1988.
Last updated 3 November 2005
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