M
- Mace
The symbol of the authority of the House of Representatives and the Speaker, made of silver coated in gold, with a crown at one end.
More information: Mace- maiden speech
(see first speech)
- major party
A political party with enough members elected to form government or opposition.
- majority government
A government formed by a political party or coalition of parties winning a majority of seats in the House of Representatives.
More information: Government- Manager of Government Business in the Senate
A minister appointed by the government to manage its business in the Senate.
- Manager of Opposition Business in the House
A shadow minister appointed by the opposition to manage its business in the House of Representatives.
- Manager of Opposition Business in the Senate
A shadow minister appointed by the opposition to manage its business in the Senate.
- marginal seat
A seat or electorate in which the vote was very close and the winning candidate won by a small number of votes.
- Matter of Public Importance or MPI
A discussion in Parliament about the government's actions or policies. The topic is usually raised by a shadow minister and, in the House of Representatives, responded to first by the minister in charge of the relevant government department.
- mayor
The head of a city or town council.
- media
(see also press gallery)
Newspapers, television, radio stations and other organisations that collect and publish information.- member
A person elected to the House of Representatives, also referred to as an MP.
More information: Members of the House of Representatives- member of parliament
A person elected to the House of Representatives or the Senate.
- minister
A member of the government who has been given an area of responsibility for how Australia is run, known as a portfolio.
More information: Ministers and shadow ministers- ministerial responsibility
The principle that a minister should be accountable to the Parliament for their actions and decisions, as well as those of their government department.
- ministry
- minority government
(see also hung parliament)
A government formed by a party or coalition of parties that does not have a majority in the House of Representatives, but governs with the support of the majority of all the members.
More information: Government- minor party
A political party that has only a small number of members elected to Parliament.
More information: Minor parties- monarch
A head of state, such as a king or queen, who has inherited their position.
- money bill
A proposed law that introduces a tax or suggests spending money for a particular purpose.
- motion
An idea or proposal put forward for consideration, debate and decision.
- move (a motion)
To make a formal proposal at a meeting.
- municipality
An area of land that has its own local government.