How Australia's government works

Six colonies, one nation

Before 1901, Australia was six separate British colonies. Trade and transport between them was slow and expensive, enforcing the law across borders was hard, and defence was weak. A shared identity was growing too, in sporting teams that represented Australia and in Australian songs, poems, stories and art. On 1 January 1901 the colonies united as the Commonwealth of Australia. This is called Federation.

The Constitution sets the rules

The Australian Constitution sets out the basic rules for the government of Australia. It was passed as part of a British Act of Parliament in 1900 and came into effect on 1 January 1901. It is the supreme law, and the government must follow it. It set up the Parliament, with its two Houses, and the High Court, which has the final say on applying and interpreting the law.

Only the people can change the Constitution, by voting in a referendum. A change needs a double majority: a majority of voters in a majority of states, and a majority of voters across the nation. In the 1967 referendum, more than 90 per cent of Australians voted Yes to allow Aboriginal peoples to be counted in the Census.

Three levels of government

Each level has its own leader and elected representatives, and each generally looks after different things.

States and territories differ in one important way. States have rights recognised by the Constitution, while the Australian Government can alter or revoke territory laws at any time. Each state has its own parliament and constitution, and a Governor represents the King in each state. In the Northern Territory, the Governor-General appoints an Administrator to a similar role.

The separation of powers

The Constitution divides the power of government three ways, so that no one person or group holds all of it.

Parliament has two Houses

Both Houses of the Australian Parliament consider, debate and vote on new laws and changes to laws, and discuss matters of national importance.

• The House of Representatives, also called the Lower House or the People's House, has about 150 members (the booklet describes it as over 150). Each member represents an electorate, and states with more people have more members.
• The Senate has 76 senators. Each state elects 12, whatever its size or population, and the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory elect two each.

After an election, the party or coalition with a majority in the House of Representatives forms the government, and its leader becomes Prime Minister. The second-largest group forms the Opposition, led by the Leader of the Opposition. The Prime Minister recommends ministers, the Governor-General approves them, and the most important ministers form the Cabinet, the government's key decision-making body.

How a Bill becomes law

A proposed law is called a Bill. It has to pass both Houses before it can become law.

The King and the Governor-General

Australia is a constitutional monarchy: the King is Head of State, but he must act according to the Constitution. Because he doesn't live in Australia and has no day-to-day role, his powers pass to the Governor-General, who is appointed by the King on the advice of the Prime Minister.

The Governor-General isn't part of the government and must stay neutral. The role includes:

• signing Bills into law, which is called Royal Assent
• approving the appointment of the government, ministers and federal judges
• starting the process for federal elections
• ceremonial duties, and acting as Commander-in-Chief of the Australian Defence Force.

The Governor-General also has reserve powers, which can only be used in specific circumstances.

Who leads what

A Member of Parliament represents the people in the Australian Parliament or a state parliament. A Senator represents a state or territory in the Australian Parliament. A councillor is an elected member of a local council.

Your part: voting

Australian citizens aged 18 or over must enrol and vote in federal, state and territory elections and in referendums. Voting is by secret ballot, so no one can know whom you voted for unless you tell them, and not voting without a good reason can mean a fine. The Australian Electoral Commission, which is independent of the government, runs federal elections and referendums and keeps the electoral roll.

Check yourself

Four questions from the CitizenOz question bank, written from Part 3 of the booklet. Pick an answer to check it.