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AUSTRALIAN POLITICS
Australia, home to only 20 million people, is a liberal democratic country, characterised by its principles of religious freedom and freedom of speech. Australia remains a constitutional monarchy, with Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain as the head of state. She is represented by the Governor-General.
Australia itself is made up of various states, these being South Australia, Western Australia, New South Wales, Queensland, Tasmania and Victoria. Two mainland territories, the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory, are included under this leadership, as are the seven external territories of the Australian Antarctic Territory and various islands. 
The Australian Parliament House in Canberra The Federal Government is in charge of all foreign affairs, defence, immigration services, taxation, trade and commerce and pensions. It is made up of a House of Representatives (147 members), and a Senate (12 members from each State and two from each Territory). The House of Representatives members are elected by preferential voting, while the Senate members are elected by proportional representation. Whichever party has the most Representatives forms a ministry in both houses and provides the country with its government. The party with the second highest number of Representatives is then considered to be the Opposition Party. The Prime Minister is usually elected (at least once every three years) from the House of Representatives.
The States are run by individual governors. All States have an upper and lower House of Parliament except Queensland, which only has one. The Territories also have their own governments, but have less authority than those of the States.
The High Court holds judicial power in the Federal Government. This court is responsible for dealing with matters pertaining to the federal and state laws, as well as for handling disputes between the Federal and State governments.
Two main political parties dominate in Australia – 1) the Conservative coalition of the Liberal Party and National Party and 2) the Labour Party.
The Independent Electoral Commission has been put in place to administer the entire voting process on both a State and a National level. Voting is compulsory for all registered residents of 18 years and older. |
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