Humanities and Social Sciences Key Concepts

Parliament

A body of representatives that makes laws for a nation.

Coalition

A combination, union, or merger for some specific purpose.

Political

A group of individuals with broad common interests who organise to nominate candidates for office, win elections, conduct government, and determine public policy.

Government

A group of people who keep law and order and make laws.

Bill

A printed or written statement of the money owed for goods or services.

Governor

A ruler of a province or state.

Federal

A system in which power is divided between the national and state governments.

Preferential voting

A voting system in which voters rank outcomes in a hierarchy, in order of preference.

State

An area organised into a political unit and ruled by an established government with control over its internal and foreign affairs.

Local

Relating to or occurring in a particular area, city, or town.

Democratic

Relating to or supporting democracy or its principles.

Premier

The head of a state.

Prime Minister

The leader of the party that forms the government in the House of Representatives. In Australia our current Prime Minister is Malcolm Turnbull.

Governor General

The representative of the Queen in Australia at the federal level.