| Caretaker | temporary holder of an office, until an election can be held |
| Census | official count of inhabitants |
| Communist | an advocate of communism. Communism is an economic and political system proposed by two Germans, Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels. They argued that the tensions invariably involved in a market economy meant that workers would eventually overthrow their bosses and create a classless society in which people would work according to their abilities and receive enough to meet their needs. |
| Conservative | one who is opposed to change |
| Demeanour | conduct or bearing |
| Electorate | a district represented by an elected Member of Parliament |
| Fickleness | being changeable, treacherous |
| Handbill | a printed announcement for distribution by hand |
| Ideology | a set of linked ideas with reference to a political or cultural plan |
| Inaugural | first |
| Money bills | any legislation that a government introduces to provide funds for government expenditure. Under the Australian Constitution, section 53, only the House of Representatives can introduce or amend money bills |
| Nationalise | to bring under the ownership and control of the government |
| Referendum | a process for gaining the approval of the majority of electors for a particular proposal. In Australia, a referendum is the only means by which the words of the Australian Constitution can be changed |
| Resolve | settle, deal with |
| Selecshun (selection) | a small piece of Crown land worked by small farmers (or selectors). They had to improve the land and pay for it in instalments. |
| Senate | the Upper House of the Australian Parliament. In order to pass laws, legislation must be approved by both the House of Representatives (the Lower House) and the Senate. |
| Social security benefits | the provision by the government of economic and social welfare for the public by means of old age pensions, and sickness and unemployment benefits |
| Socialist | an advocate of socialism, which is a theory of social organisation that advocates vesting of ownership of land and capital in the community as a whole |
| Status | position or standing in the community |
| Suffrage | the right to vote |
| Suffragette | one who is in favour of the right to vote for women |
| Temperance movement | a movement which took root in all Australian Colonies from the 1830s. Originally it was in favour of moderation in the consumption of alcohol but this eventually became total abstinence. Supporters believed that social problems were caused by alcohol. |
| Thwart | resist, oppose successfully |
| Volubility | being talkative, glibly fluent |
