Political Mandates

• Mandates refer to the authority to use power.
• Political Mandates are a claim for authority to exercise political + legal power within a State/Nation.

  This gives them the legitimate right to control institution of state power (especially legislation + executive.)

  Otherwise known as the "right to carry out laws".
• Mandates in the Australian context

  • Australia aims to uphold legitimate government through systems, representative democracy and elections
  • Upon this principle they can claim they hold 'political mandate' given by the power of the people.
• 3 Types of Mandates

  1. Will of the Majority
  2. Balance of Powers
  3. Right to Oppose
• "Will of the Majority" Mandates

  The Executive Government is the only institution which can claim they've been chosen and endorsed by the people.

  This is supported by the fact that they've won a majority of seats in HoR.
• There are two types of "Will of the Majority" Mandates

  1. Specific
  2. General
• Will of the Majority (Specific) 


  Linked to election promises. Policies are typically linked to the creation of specific new laws.

  e.g -

  • Alabanese Governments "Voice to Parliament"
  • Alabanese Government amendment of NGER
• Will of the Majority (General)


  This refers to Government/Parties making decisions based on their party's political ideologies. Responding to issues which develop while they're in office with there party policy.

  e.g

  • 2013 Tony Abbott opposition promised "Stop the Boats"
  • Turnbull government promised to reform superannuation in their 2014 election campaign
  • 2022 Albanese government promises to change and improve environmental policy in Australia to combat Climate Change
• "Balance of Powers"


  Senate Crossbenchers and Minor parties are able to exercise this mandate.

  Minor and macro parties have 'power of refusal' to pass Government's legislation.

  They can also claim that the people voted for a 'hung senate'.