Glossary extracted starting with automatic seeds, with PTM for the domain pol and language EN

sovereign	The Queen (or King) of New Zealand
federal court	a court formed by the federal Parliament in 1977 to make judgments on certain federal matters and on appeals from state and territory courts on certain other matters.
statutory authority	a government agency set up by an Act of Parliament, more or less independent of day-to-day ministerial control, usually not bound by public service procedures to the same extent as ordinary departments, and which is responsible finally to Parliament.
chief of state	The chief public
estimates	A detailed statement of how the Government proposes its departments and other agencies will spend public money and incur liabilities in a financial year
sessional order	a temporary rule governing the conduct of business in a House of Parliament, which applies only for the session in which it is made.
consideration period	In relation to Collective Agreement processes, the period (7 days) that an employer must take reasonable steps to ensure that all eligible employees in relation to the (proposed) Collective Agreement are given an information statement at least 7 days before the agreement is approved
crown	Her Majesty the Queen in her role as head of state
electorate office	The office/administrative base for a Member of Parliament and his/her support staff
clerk of journals/table research	The Table Officer responsible for producing the Order Paper and Votes and Proceedings
canonical	Laws relating to the clergy.
consent	A unanimous consent of all Members of the House when the House decides to set aside its rules or usual practice without notice.
motion	An idea or proposal put forward for consideration, debate and decision: He moved a motion that the member be suspended.
citizen's initiated referendum	Most usually based around a petition containing a specified number of signatures
riding	This is where they line up all the politicians at the Calgary Stampede to see who can ride a bull the longest
certificate of election	a document prepared by the official or body with the legal authority to do so,conferring upon a candidate the right to assume an elective office as a result of being elected to it.
first reading	the first stage in the progress of a Bill through a House
order of precedence	This is the symbolic hierarchy of importance for the positions in the Government of Canada
parliament house	The central building where the House of Representatives meets
revoke a resolution	To cancel the effect of a resolution previously adopted by the House.
speech from the throne	A speech made by the Sovereign or Governor-General to officially open a session of Parliament
enrolled	when a copy of a passed bill is prepared for presentation to the governor
presenting petitions	the order of business when Members may present petitions to the Assembly on behalf of groups of people who are appealing for some kind of action
abstention	To refrain from voting for or against a motion
representative democracy	a government in which the adult citizens of the country vote to elect the country's leaders
lord lieutenant	The monarch's personal representative in an English or Welsh county
municipality	The term used on this site to represent a city, town, or township.
enact	To pass an Act of Parliament
division	The term "Division" refers to the geographic entity that comprises each House of Representatives federal electorate
royal prerogative	The rights, powers and privileges enjoyed and/or exercised by the Crown.
parliamentary procedure	rules for and methods of carrying out the business of a House of Parliament.
member	Any person elected to parliament, but more commonly used for those elected to the House of Representatives.
subordinate legislation	See regulations.
constitution	The set of basic rules by which a country or state is governed
ward	A district
aye	An old English word for yes
inuit	A term defining the indigenous people living in the Arctic in Canada the US and Siberia
citizen	A person who has full political and civil rights in his or her country.
electorate	An electorate is a geographic sub-division which elects members of Parliament
routine proceedings	The daily time period set aside in the House to deal with routine business.
delegated legislation	See regulations.
chancellor of the exchequer	the British cabinet minister responsible for finance
money bills	Bills proposing that public funds be spent
democracy	This term gets thrown around a lot, but not a lot of people know what it means or how it is expressed
omnibus bill	In general, an omnibus bill seeks to amend, repeal or enact several Acts, and it is characterized by the fact that it has a number of related but separate parts.
state legislature	The legislative body of the state, responsible for state duties in the same way that Congress is responsible for Federal duties
tablings to the clerk	the order of business when the Clerk reads the titles of tablings that have been provided to him before 11 a.m
family compact	A ruling group in Canada during the early 1800s made up of the wealthier and exclusive section of society, including landowners
minister	A representative of the government department responsible for the environment presented information to a Senate committee.
system	The system of government which exists in the United Kingdom and which has been followed, to a greater or lesser extent, by many Commonwealth countries
grievance	a matter of concern
schedule	An appendix to a bill, often setting out matters that are too detailed to include in the main body of the bill.
oath of office	An oath taken by employees of the House of Commons to carry out faithfully the duties entrusted to them.
notice of motion	A proposal that informs the House of a motion before it happens in order to allow members of the House of prepare and be aware of the motion
appointment	An appointment to a non-judicial post made by the Governor in Council
unanimous consent	the consent of all the Members present in the House that is required when the House wishes to set aside its rules or usual practices without notice
non-partisan	In reference to the Speaker, it means that the person in this position does not let personal or political opinions influence the way the job is done
coalition	A strategic alliance of political parties/groups formed with the primary objective of maximizing opportunities for achieving a working majority (and therefore control) of an elected Parliament.
representative	a member of the House
supplementary estimates	an expenditure proposal introduced to provide funds to the government to meet new or increased costs
auditor general	the officer of the Legislature responsible for the independent examination of government spending and management practices
freedom of information	the principle that citizens should have a right to see most government papers and reports, particularly those which relate to their own personal affairs.
ideology	This is a set of political and economic principals and beliefs about society.
model bill	A standard form provided by the Clerk of the House to those wanting to present certain types of private bills.
supply	revenue provided by the Assembly to the government
reversion	the return to an order of business in the Routine that has previously been dealt with in an afternoon or evening sitting
liberal	people who generally like to reform current conditions
legislature	the law making body of a country or a State.
bicameral	a two-Chamber system of government
government	The particular system through which a community or society is controlled or directed.
fixed term	a term of office which cannot usually be shortened.
enacting words	The words ‘The Parliament of New Zealand enacts as follows'
mace	A symbol of the Speaker's authority
federation	Federation represented the formal unification of the Australian States on 1 January 1901 to form the Commonwealth of Australia.
government	A body of people responsible for governing a society, including introducing new laws and enforcing existing ones
federal election commission	An independent regulatory agency charged with administering and enforcing federal campaign finance law
franchise	a citizen's right to vote at elections: In Australia citizens are given the franchise at 18 years of age.
procedural motions	motions that deal with routine matters such as a motion to adjourn
financial year	A year as it is set for public finance, being the period from 1 July of one calendar year to 30 June of the next.
freedom of speech	the right to speak as one wishes.
participation	taking part.
judicial branch	The part of the US government that settles disputes and administers justice
legislature	A law making body (e.g
standing orders	Rules made by the House of Representatives that govern its proceedings.
oath of allegiance	A declaration, using God's name, made by members of Parliament that they will be loyal to the Queen.
standing orders	The rules of procedure in the house.
committee of the whole	the committee of all Members of the Legislative Assembly that meets to discuss specific clauses of a Bill
interjection	a remark made to interrupt, or respond to, a point during a speech.
motion	a proposal made to the House by a Member that the House do something, order something or express an opinion regarding some matter
officer	a permanent career official or employee of one of the parliamentary departments which provide support services for the Parliament.
main estimates	the detailed spending proposals for each government department for the coming fiscal year
constituency	An electoral district or any territorial area represented by an elected Member in the House of Commons
bill	A proposal to form the basis of an Act of Parliament.
great britain	A monarchy
non-partisan	An idea or person that does not support a specific party, cause, or candidate.
urgency motion	A motion proposing that the House accord urgency to certain business
questions for oral answer	Also known as question time, this is part of general business dealt with by the House each sitting day when members ask oral questions of Ministers, chairpersons of select committees, and other members about matters for which they are responsible
judicial	having to do with judges or law courts.
out of order	The term describing any proposal, action, or behaviour that is against the Standing Orders, or rules, of the House of Representatives.
personal explanation	a short statement made by a member concerning a matter with which he or she is personally connected, or by a member who feels he or she has been misrepresented and who wishes to state the correct facts or situation.
notice of motion	Notice of a member's intention to move a motion, the text of which is printed on the Order Paper.
bowen house	The building on Lambton Quay, Wellington, where some members of Parliament have their offices.
supplementary estimates	A statement of further amounts to be spent by Government departments, offices of Parliament, Crown entities, State enterprises, and public organisations in the current financial year in addition to the details of spending contained in the Estimates
spin doctor/spin	A media adviser or political consultant employed by a campaign to ensure that the candidate receives the best possible publicity in any given situation
political party	an organized group of people with common values and goals, who try to get their candidates elected to office
conflict of interest	An issue which interferes with a Member's ability to perform his or her functions
international monetary fund	The IMF was created at the famous Bretton Woods following the Second World War in 1945
schedule	A schedule is an appendix to a bill that contains additional details that are not included in the initial clause or text.
qualifying	Definition changes based on state
revenue	incoming money; the money Government collects from taxes and other sources.
vacancy	an unoccupied position or office.
warrants	When issued, it requires the attendance of witnesses or documents before legislative committees
proclamation	an official public announcement.
magna carta	A charter signed by King John of England in 1215
at-large	At-large refers to offices that are elected by the voters of an entire county or district even though the office may only represent one part of the county or district.
leave	the permission of all members present in the Chamber at the time to do something which otherwise could not be done at that time or in that way.
sittings	the daily meetings of the Assembly
crown	The formal term for the Sovereign (the Queen)
paper	a report or document presented to a House of Parliament.
regulations	Law made by a person or body that has been granted (delegated) law-making authority
franchise	The right to vote.
petition	a document presented to a House of Parliament by a person or a gr oup of people asking for action on a matter; a formal request, especially to a person or group in power: We signed a petition asking for more bicycle paths.
chancellorship	the office of chancellor
chancellor of the exchequer	the British
amendment	A change that is made to a bill, a motion or a committee report with the intention of improving it.
orders of the day	The items of business set down on the Order Paper.
amendment	A proposal by a member that seeks to modify a motion, or section of a bill, in order to increase its acceptability or to present a different proposal
hearing of evidence	A select committee meeting during which members of the public may present information or opinions about an issue.
sessional calendar	a calendar which presents a fixed timetable of sittings and adjournments for a given year in accordance with the provisions of the standing orders
votes and proceedings	the official record of the Assembly's daily business, similar to minutes; the record of what was done rather than what was said
order paper	The document that sets out the proposed order of business, or agenda, for the House of Representatives on any one sitting day.
evidence	Information given in writing or in person to a select committee.
senate	the Senate is part of Congress
overseas elector	An elector who is going overseas for three years or less can apply to be an overseas elector within 3 months before leaving Australia or within 1 year after the day on which the they ceased to reside in Australia.
coattails	An allusion to the rear panels ("tails") of a gentleman's frock coat
public gallery	one of the two public galleries where Members of the public may view the Chamber
advocate/advocacy	a person or group working for change in order to improve the quality of life on behalf of one's self or others
provincial secretary	a position held by the Minister of Justice
bicameralism	This is the practice of having two separate legislative or parliamentary chambers in the making of laws
supplementary order paper	A paper that is published and circulated to members, showing an amendment or amendments that a Minister or member will propose when a bill is considered by the committee of the whole House or a select committee.
local government	Sometimes referred to as the "third" tier of government
report	a statement, usually in writing, of the results of an inquiry.
mace	once a weapon of war shaped like a club, and the symbol of royal authority, but now the symbol of the authority of a lower House of Parliament and its Speaker.
stuart	The ruling dynasty in Scotland and England from 1603 until 1688
debate	A discussion in which the arguments for and against a subject are presented according to specific rules
sittings	meetings of a House of Parliament
shadow minister	a member of the shadow ministry
ruling	An authoritative decision made by a presiding officer about a matter of procedure.
legislative process	The process by which the House considers a bill before it becomes an Act of Parliament
reading	a formal stage of the passage of a Bill through a House of Parliament.
officers of the assembly	the Clerk, Clerk Assistant, Clerk of Journals/Table Research and Parliamentary Counsel are also known as officers of the Assembly and commonly referred to as table officers
riding	See constituency, electoral district.
bell	Electronic bells that ring to call members to the Chamber
australian electoral commission	The Commonwealth agency responsible for providing Australians with an independent electoral service and enhancing their understanding of, and participation in, the electoral process.
representation commission	An independent statutory body that reviews and redraws electoral district boundaries.
bicameral	See unicameral.
part	A division of a bill, which contains a group of clauses under a single heading
clauses	Distinct, numbered blocks of text that together form a bill
hard money/soft money	Terms used to differentiate between campaign funding that is and is not regulated by federal campaign finance law
legislation	a law or set of laws.
representative	a person who acts on behalf of others; a person elected to a law making body.
two-party-preferred count	These figures indicate results where preferences have been distributed to the two major sides of politics – the Australian Labor Party and the Liberal and National Parties Coalition
interest group	a group of people organised to further some cause or interest which they have in common: Members of Parliament often get letters from interest groups asking for support.
parliamentary committee	a small group of members of Parliament, usually drawn from all parties in one or both of the Houses, which studies, reports on and makes recommendations about a particular subject: A parliamentary committee was set up to inquire into- road safety.
polity	an organised society; a political unit and its system of government.
chair	The person in charge of a meeting
judiciary	the branch of government concerned with the administration of justice.
electoral formula	The particular counting rules which apply in an electoral system.
president	A term often applied to the elected head of state of a nation/republic
amendment	an alteration proposed or made in a motion or Bill
open government	a principle of governme nt under which citizens are given maximum opportunity to know about government decisions and the reason for those decisions, and where citizens have the right to see most government papers and reports.
grand tour	A trip undertaken by members of the elite to broaden educational horizons
standing orders	the permanent rules which govern the conduct of business in a House of Parliament.
ruling	a formal decision made by the Speaker or President, usually on a matter of procedure.
treaty of paris	The document which was signed ending a four-year war between England and France in the mid-1700s
reading	A formal stage in the process of considering a bill, where the House orders that the title of the bill be read out
representative	A person who speaks for you.
judicial power	the power to interpret or apply the law in particular cases
parent act	In relation to a bill, the Parent Act is the previous statutory law which the bill seeks to amend.
backbenchers	A term used to describe Members of Parliament who are neither part of the Ministry nor the "shadow" i.e
question period	The period during a parliamentary day which lasts for 60 minutes
prayers	On each sitting day, the Speaker reads a prayer to the House of Representatives before any business begins in the House.
parliamentary service	The organisation that provides administrative and support services to the House of Representatives and members of Parliament, and manages Parliament Buildings and Parliament grounds.
disenfranchise	To deny a person the right to vote.
administrator	the Chief Justice of Alberta or designate who assumes the powers of the Lieutenant Governor in the event of the latter's incapacity to serve
sitting day	A day on which the House of Representatives meets.
term limits	limits on the length of time that a politician can stay in office
incumbent	a person who is currently in office.
adjournment	The bringing to an end of a sitting of the House of Representatives
question time	See questions for oral answer.
out of order	not in accordance with recognised parliamentary rules.
table	To formally present a document to the House of Representatives.
estimates	The proposed expenditures for each government department, agency, board and commission.
expiration	The ending of a term of Parliament if it exceeds the legal time limit, which is three years from the date set for the declaration of the results after the previous general election
supreme court of canada	The highest court in Canada and the last court of appeal
statute	A law
parliamentary procedure	The way in which the House of Representatives conducts its business.
projet de loi type	Un model stantard fourni par le Greffier de la Chambre à ceux qui veulent soumettre certain types de lois privées.
appropriation	A sum of money provided by Parliament for a specific purpose outlined in the government's spending estimates.
the notwithstanding clause	This clause is contained within section 33 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms
orders of the day	the items of business on the agenda which occur after the daily Routine
gazettal	the placement of official notices in the WA Government Gazette , upon which they are considered to have been notified to the public.
government house	The Governor-General's official residence.
ministerial accountability	the requirement that a Minister can be called on to explain in Parliament his or her actions and those of the department and agencies under his or her control.
subclause	A numbered component of a clause, usually in a single sentence
chancellor	the honorary
prorogue	This comes from the French word “proroguer”, which means to delay or postpone
general assembly	The original name for the New Zealand Parliament.
challenge of voter registration	A registered voter of a county may challenge the registration of another registered voter in the same county
appropriation bill	a Bill requesting the Assembly to approve the government's spending of public funds
school board	A local board or authority responsible for the provision and maintenance of schools in its jurisdiction
notice paper	the document issued each sitting day that lists all outstanding business before a House of Parliament.
head	The educator who has executive authority for a school
midterm election	a general election that does not coincide with a presidential election year, but occurs two years into the term of a president
legislature	a body or group that has the power to make laws
free vote	A conscience vote.
government	This operated in New South Wales between 1843 and 1856, when two-thirds of the NSW Legislative Council were elected
sub judice	under consideration or waiting consideration by a court of law.
house of representatives	The federal member was happy to support the thriving local community of daffodil growers.
clerk at the table	The Clerk or other member of staff of the Office of the Clerk who sits at the Table of the House
deputy clerk	The senior official appointed by the Governor in Council who is responsible for procedural and administrative tasks.
chair′s ruling	the decision of the chair on the procedural acceptability of a matter before a committee of the whole House
title	The official name of a bill or an Act of Parliament.
first reading	The first stage (debate) in the passing of a bill, after which the bill is usually referred to a select committee for consideration.
constitution	A Constitution is a formal document setting out a statement of laws or rules
bi-cameral	Comprising two (2) Houses of Parliament.
petition	A document presented to the House, signed by one person or a number of people, requesting that a certain course of action be taken (or not be taken).
questions-and-comments period	a period of five minutes at the conclusion of certain speeches during which members may ask questions or make comments
estimates	the proposed expenditures for each government department, consisting of main estimates, tabled annually, and supplementary and interim estimates, tabled as required
parliamentary counsel	an office of legal officers who draft or prepare proposals for new laws.
offence/s	See Electoral Offences.
british cabinet	The senior ministers of the British government
order of the day	an item of business that the Legislative Council or Legislative Assembly has ordered to be set down for discussion on a particular day, usually the next day of the sitting.
election office	The office, or actual administrative base from which an election is conducted by a Returning Officer.
great britain	A monarchy in northwestern Europe occupying most of the British Isles
countywide	An office or board that is elected to represent the whole county
crown	The Queen (or King) of New Zealand when exercising powers through Ministers; in effect, the executive or Government.
enterprise bargaining ballot	See Certified Agreement Ballot.
head	The educator
act	The Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918
parliamentary privilege	Rights and immunities which belong to the assembly, the members and others essential to the operation of the assembly, allowing those involved in the parliamentary process to fulfil their duties without obstruction or fear or prosecution
parliamentary privilege	The exercise of certain powers and the claiming of certain immunities for members of Parliament and other people (officers and witnesses) taking part in Parliament's proceedings
law	a principle governing action, rule, or procedure that is enforced by a specific authority
law	Binding rules by which society is governed
legislature	A law-making body
ombudsman	an official whose job is to look into people's complaints against the Government or Public Servants.
electorate	The generic term applied to a geographic electoral entity
daily order of business	The recurring sequence of business for each sitting day in the House of Commons
matter of public importance	a matter of general nature that can be raised as a matter of urgency which must be supported by a certain number of other members.
house of representatives	The assembled body of elected members of Parliament.
ceremony	A formal event that follows rules or traditions.
petitions	a means for a group of people to appeal to the Legislative Assembly for some kind of action
statute	Another word for an Act of Parliament.
vice-regal	concerning or having to do with a person appo inted as a deputy by the King or Queen; having to do with a person acting in place of or representing a King or Queen: As the Governor attended the dinner it was a vice-regal function.
gallery	The public seating areas above the Chamber.
horse race	Used as a metaphor for an election campaign, "horse race" conveys the feeling of excitement that people experience when watching a sporting event
administrator of the government	The Chief Justice when performing duties of the Governor-General, if that office is vacant or the Governor-General is for any reason unable to perform those duties (for example, if the Governor-General is overseas).
hearings	an opportunity for the general public to give testimony to legislators on filed or planned legislation or other purposes
by-election	An election held, usually as a consequence of the death, resignation or retirement of an elected representative
private bills	the order of business when Members deal with private Bills, which affect only the people or institutions named in them; for example, a Bill to establish a foundation
regulations	Laws which sets out rules that are usually of general application
sub judice convention	a voluntary restraint imposed by the House upon itself whereby a Member is expected not to refer to any matter pending in a court or before a judge for judicial determination
matching funds	public money that is given to presidential candidates in an amount equal to the amount that they have raised privately
greens wa	formed on 1 January 1990, a merger of the WA Green party and the Green Earth Alliance.
move	To propose a motion.
naming a member	a disciplinary procedure to maintain order in the House
parliamentary library	The library and analytical information service for members of Parliament and staff.
repatriate	A term that is mostly thrown around after a war, it refers to the process of sending people back to their homes (i.e
second reading	the second reading of a passage of a Bill through a House at which time discussion on the principle or purpose of the Bill takes place.
clerk	The chief executive of House administration
term	a limited period of time during which an office is held
minutes of proceedings	A formal record, prepared by the clerk of the committee, of all decisions taken by the committee (similar to the Journals in the House).
declared institution/s	These are hospitals, nursing homes or other institutions that are "designated" for mobile polling or electoral visitor voting
oath of allegiance	Refers to the swearing-in of members to the House of Commons
electoral district	A district or area defined by the Representation Commission to be represented by a member of Parliament.
abstract motion	An Abstract Motion only expresses an opinion or desire, and it doesn't bind the House or the government to any course of action.
métis	The Métis in Canada are one of the three recognized Aboriginal peoples in Canada
days	Days on which Houses of Parliament sit.
chamber	The debating chamber where the House of Representatives meets
regionalization	The 50 United States are unofficially grouped into approximately six regions
assent	See Royal assent.
electorate	See electoral district.
tabling returns and reports	the order of business when various documents may be tabled in the Assembly
extraordinary vacancy	Most usually refers to an elected position "vacancy" created upon the death, retirement or resignation of an elected representative
federation	The unification of Australian Colonies which formed the Australian nation on 1 January 1901.
public servant	a member of the public service; a person employed by the Government in a department of state.
embargo	A restriction on the distribution or publication of a document or the information it contains.
conservative	people who generally like to uphold current conditions and oppose changes
agenda	Notice paper that contains all items where notice has been given by the House of Commons
government bills	Bills proposing laws which, if passed, will govern certain areas of our society
règlements	Un ensemble de lois qui expose des règles qui sont habituellement d'applictation générale
in-camera	in private or in secret: The woman appearing before the parliamentary committee asked if she could give her evidence in-camera.
lottery fund	the fund consisting of revenue generated from gaming and lotteries
chief justice	The title of the presiding judge at the supreme court of Canada
draw by lot	A process applied to determine order or selection by random choice
federal /commonwealth government	Terminology applied to refer to Australia's national government
at-large	An at-large seat is one that represents all the residents over which the elected body (city council, county board, etc.) has jurisdiction, rather than just those in a single district
general revenue fund	the fund consisting of revenue generated from taxation and royalties
provision	A general term for an element of a bill, such as a clause, subclause, part or schedule.
chairperson	A presiding officer of a select committee, who is usually chosen by that committee.
prorogation	the formal end of a legislative session
royal consent	The consent on behalf of the Crown that is put forth by a Minister for certain bills requiring Sovereign consent, usually when dealing with bills that are of interest to the Sovereign.
elections act	The Australian Capital Territory Electoral Commission
first nations	Referring to the indigenous people of North America and their descendants who are not Inuit or Métis, this is a term used to determine ethnicity
precedent	A past ruling or practice that sets an example for similar action in the future; convention established by long practice.
platform	The policies or plans that candidates/political parties promise to introduce, if elected to power.
vote	Part of an Appropriation Bill containing details of the authority to spend public money or incur expenses.
eligibility	The requirement/status to be achieved in order to be qualified to vote in an election or ballot
sections	Distinct, numbered blocks of text that together form an Act of Parliament
reading	The final stage in a Bill's passage through a House of Parliament before it is passed.
governor	the chief executive of a state
budget	The government’s plan for how it will collect and spend money each year.
mandate	Once elected to majority power, a government's claim for authority to implement and administer their various policy platforms.
green paper	a preliminary discussion document, usually issued in advance of the formation of government policy.
british cabinet	The senior
put the question	ask for a decision on a motion: The Speaker put the question to the House.
bills	or move motions
citizen	From the Latin word civitas meaning city
council	including carrying the Black Rod on sitting days and ceremonial occasions.
chancellor	the honorary or titular head of a university / university