The Meaning Behind Political Jargon in Australian Federal Elections
As the Australian federal elections approach, it’s important to understand the political jargon and slang terminologies that are commonly used during the campaign. While some of these terms are distinctly Australian, others have been adopted from political systems in other nations. Here’s a breakdown of some of the most common words and phrases you’ll likely hear during the election, and what they mean.
What does above the line/below the line mean?
- Voting above the line is one of two ways you can fill out your Senate ballot paper.
- To vote above the line, you need to number at least six party or group boxes, starting with 1 for your first choice, 2 for your second choice, and so on until you reach at least 6.
- When you use this method, you can’t vote for individual candidates, only political parties or groups.
What is a bellwether seat?
A bellwether is an electorate that consistently elects a local member from the political party that ends up forming the government. Pollsters use bellwether seats to discern trends and predict election outcomes.
What is the Coalition?
The Coalition refers to the long-running political alliance between the Liberal Party and the National Party in Australia. Together, they are considered one of the two major parties in federal politics, alongside Labor.
What is a corflute?
A corflute is a type of temporary plastic sign used in Australian election campaigns to advertise a candidate or political party. They are commonly seen attached to fences or on poles in front yards during the election period.
What is the crossbench?
The crossbench refers to MPs and senators who are not members of the government or the Opposition. They can be members of minor parties or independents.
What is a democracy sausage?
A democracy sausage is a term used to describe the tradition of sausage sizzles at polling booths in Australia, often used to raise money for local schools and community groups.
What is a donkey vote?
A donkey vote is a valid way of voting that involves numbering candidates from top to bottom or bottom to top in the order they appear on the ballot paper.
What are how to vote cards?
How to vote cards are flyers handed out at polling booths by party workers, suggesting the order in which voters should place their preferences on the ballot paper.
What is a hung parliament?
A hung parliament occurs when no political party or coalition secures a majority of seats in the House of Representatives, leading to a balance of power among crossbenchers and other parties.
What are hustings?
Hustings refer to the activities politicians undertake before an election to campaign for votes, including making speeches, meeting constituents, and participating in debates.
What is an incumbent?
An incumbent is the current holder of a political position, whether seeking re-election or not.
What is an informal vote?
An informal vote occurs when a ballot paper is not filled in correctly or at all, leading to it being considered invalid by the Australian Electoral Commission.
What is majority government/minority government?
A majority government is formed when a party secures at least 76 seats in the House of Representatives, while a minority government is formed with the support of independent or minor party MPs.
What is a marginal seat?
A marginal seat is one where the elected candidate received less than 56% of the vote at the previous election, making it at risk of being lost to another candidate.
What is pork-barrelling?
Pork-barrelling refers to the practice of allocating public funding based on electoral interests rather than public needs, typically used to win votes in marginal seats.
What is a pre-poll?
Pre-poll voting occurs when a ballot is cast at an early voting center before election day, under specific circumstances.
What are preference deals?
Preference deals are agreements made by political parties on where to place each other’s candidates on how to vote cards.
What is the pub test?
The pub test is a term used to judge public opinion on policies, decisions, and candidates, based on what the average Australian would consider acceptable.
What is redistribution?
Redistribution occurs when electoral boundaries are redrawn to ensure equal numbers of voters in each seat, reflecting changes in population.
What is a safe seat?
A safe seat is one where the elected candidate received more than 60% of the vote at the previous election, making it unlikely to be lost to another candidate.
What is swing?
A swing is the difference in the percentage of votes a candidate or party secures between two elections, indicating a shift in voter preferences.
What are teals?
Teals refer to a group of independent candidates running in formerly safe Liberal seats on a platform of stronger climate action and integrity in politics.
Understanding these key terms and concepts is essential for navigating the complexities of Australian federal elections and engaging with the political process effectively.