The country of Australia is made up of six states that each make their own laws, constitutions, and groups of Parliament, Executive, and Judiciary. The six states in Australia are named New South Wales, Queens land, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, and Western Australia. Inside of Australia there is also 10 territories of land that are not claimed by one of the six states. These territories are only granted self-government by the Australian government. Territories can also become states with the okay from commonwealth legislature [1]. Of these 10 territories there are three that have been given limited self-government their names are the Australian Capital Territory, The Northern Territory, and Norfolk Island [1]. The seven others only get commonwealth law and have appointed a government official [1]. There names are Ashmore Island, Cartier Island, Australian Antarctic Territory, Christmas Island, Coco's Islands, Coral Sea Islands, Jervis Bay Territory, Territory of Heard Island, and McDonald Island [1].
Australia is a constitutional monarchy [1]. The main Australian government has three parts the Parliament, Executive, and Judicial. In Australia Parliament is in charge of discussing and voting on laws proposed under the power of section 51 in the Australian Constitution [1]. Parliament is made up of two chambers the House of Representatives and the Senate. The House of Representatives contains 150 members from all over Australia chosen based on the amount of electorates in each location. The Senate contains 76 members, each state has 12 senators and the Northern Territory and Australian Capital Territory each have two senators [1]. These senators serve six year terms. The Executive group carries out the laws made by Parliament. In the executive there are members called ministers who have special powers and act as part of not only the Executive group but also Parliament [1]. Then there is the Judiciary group which is an independent group in Australia's government that enforces laws and oversees the behavior and decisions of the Executive group and Parliament [1]. Also even though the states can make their own laws, if they do not agree with the Australian government then the Commonwealth law is followed. The Judiciary group also has the power to look at decisions made by state Judiciary groups. With all of this we can clearly tell the Judiciary group has more power than the other two groups.
Along with Parliament, The Executive group, and Judiciary group each state also has a Premier minister and the Northern Territory and The Australian Capital Territory each have a Chief minister that belong to the Council of Australian government (COAG). Along with them there is also the President of The Australian Local Government Association. The leader of the Australian government is Prime Minister Tony Abbott. {2} Above the Prime Minister is the Governor General who is appointed by the Queen of Britain to represent the Queen of Britain In the Australian government. The current Governor General is Quentin Bryce, {2} and she is also the first female to hold the position. In the Australian government they always try to make sure that they do not leave the smaller states and the small territories out. This is why they have four members from the two territories and also a president to represent the rest. The COAG is at the highest point of the Australian government.
Elections in Australia usually have been every 2 1/2 years. Also in Australia there are four major political parties. They are named the Australian Labour Party (Democrat), The Liberal party (Liberal), The National party of Australia (conservative), and The Australian Greens (Environmentalist). During an election whether state or federal people over the age of 18 are required to vote and failure to do so can result in a fine or prosecution. In some ways the Australian government is a lot like our own but in some ways it is also a lot different than ours.
Australia is a constitutional monarchy [1]. The main Australian government has three parts the Parliament, Executive, and Judicial. In Australia Parliament is in charge of discussing and voting on laws proposed under the power of section 51 in the Australian Constitution [1]. Parliament is made up of two chambers the House of Representatives and the Senate. The House of Representatives contains 150 members from all over Australia chosen based on the amount of electorates in each location. The Senate contains 76 members, each state has 12 senators and the Northern Territory and Australian Capital Territory each have two senators [1]. These senators serve six year terms. The Executive group carries out the laws made by Parliament. In the executive there are members called ministers who have special powers and act as part of not only the Executive group but also Parliament [1]. Then there is the Judiciary group which is an independent group in Australia's government that enforces laws and oversees the behavior and decisions of the Executive group and Parliament [1]. Also even though the states can make their own laws, if they do not agree with the Australian government then the Commonwealth law is followed. The Judiciary group also has the power to look at decisions made by state Judiciary groups. With all of this we can clearly tell the Judiciary group has more power than the other two groups.
Along with Parliament, The Executive group, and Judiciary group each state also has a Premier minister and the Northern Territory and The Australian Capital Territory each have a Chief minister that belong to the Council of Australian government (COAG). Along with them there is also the President of The Australian Local Government Association. The leader of the Australian government is Prime Minister Tony Abbott. {2} Above the Prime Minister is the Governor General who is appointed by the Queen of Britain to represent the Queen of Britain In the Australian government. The current Governor General is Quentin Bryce, {2} and she is also the first female to hold the position. In the Australian government they always try to make sure that they do not leave the smaller states and the small territories out. This is why they have four members from the two territories and also a president to represent the rest. The COAG is at the highest point of the Australian government.
Elections in Australia usually have been every 2 1/2 years. Also in Australia there are four major political parties. They are named the Australian Labour Party (Democrat), The Liberal party (Liberal), The National party of Australia (conservative), and The Australian Greens (Environmentalist). During an election whether state or federal people over the age of 18 are required to vote and failure to do so can result in a fine or prosecution. In some ways the Australian government is a lot like our own but in some ways it is also a lot different than ours.