Australian Government

The system of government for the Commonwealth of Australia is a three-tier system based on the Westminster tradition. (In other words, based on the English system).

• At the national level and under the provisions of the Constitution, the Legislature (the House of Representatives and the Senate), the Executive Government, and the Judiciary, which are responsible for all matters of national interest.

• At the State and Territory level and under the relevant statutes, a Legislature, Executive Government and Judiciary, which are all responsible for matters specifically relevant to the States and Territories.

• Approximately 900 local government bodies at the city, town, municipal and shire level.

The Federal Parliament, located in Canberra in the ACT has two houses, the House of Representatives (Lower house) containing 148 members and the Senate (Upper house).

To form a government a political party or coalition must hold the majority of seats in the lower house. It is not a constitutional requirement that a government have a majority of seats in the Senate.

Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II is the Queen of Australia, although there have been moves in recent years to remove the constritutional links to the Queen and establish Australia as an independent republic. A referendum held in 1999 failed to win the approval required however, and the monarchy remains in place.

The Queen is represented in Australia by the Governor-General, Dr. Peter Hollingworth.

The leader of the Australian government is the Prime Minister, The Hon. John Howard.

(Adapted from information taken from www.fed.gov.au)