Australia

This article is part of the series: Politics and government of Australia Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (922x693, 1523 KB) Summary Transparent copy of [1] Edited by Ansett 1means the typographical arrangement and layout of a published work. ... Judicial High Court Lower Courts Constitution State and territory governments Executive Governors and Administrators Premiers and Chief Ministers Legislative Parliaments and Assemblies State electoral systems ACT - NSW - NT - Qld. ...

Federal Government The Commonwealth of Australia is a constitutional monarchy, a federation and a parliamentary democracy. ...

Executive The Crown (Queen Elizabeth II) Governor-General (Michael Jeffery) Prime Minister (John Howard) Cabinet Federal Executive Council

Legislative Queen Elizabeth II, the current Queen of Australia, wearing a sprig of Acacia. ... Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor; born 21 April 1926) is Queen of 16 sovereign states, holding each crown and title equally. ... Michael Jeffery, the current Governor-General of Australia The Governor-General of Australia is the representative in Australia of Australias head of state, Queen Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, who lives in the United Kingdom. ... Major-General Philip Michael Jeffery, AC, CVO, MC (Retd) (born 12 December 1937), 24th Governor-General of Australia, was born in Wiluna, Western Australia and was educated at state schools in Perth. ... Judicial High Court Lower Courts Constitution State and territory governments Executive Governors and Administrators Premiers and Chief Ministers Legislative Parliaments and Assemblies State electoral systems ACT - NSW - NT - Qld. ... For other uses, see John Howard (disambiguation). ... The Cabinet of Australia (whose members also serve in the Executive Council of Australia) is the council of senior ministers, responsible to parliament. ... The Federal Executive Council is the formal body holding executive authority under the Australian Constitution. ... A legislature is a type of representative deliberative assembly with the power to adopt laws. ... Parliament Senate House of Representatives Elections Federal electoral system Electoral divisions

1993 - 1996 - 1998 - 2001 - 2004 - 2007 - Parliament House Canberra: The main entrance and the flag The Parliament of Australia is the legislative branch of Australia. ... Australian Senate chamber Entrance to the Senate The Senate is the upper of the two houses of the Parliament of Australia. ... Australian House of Representatives chamber Entrance to the House of Representatives The Australian House of Representatives is one of the two houses (chambers) of the Parliament of Australia. ... Elections in Australia gives information on elections and election results in Australia. ... A how-to-vote card from the Australian federal election of 2004, showing voters how to fill in the squares on the ballot paper if they wish to vote for the Liberal Party of Australia. ... The Australian House of Representatives is elected from 150 single-member districts called Divisions. ... Legislative elections were held in Australia on March 13, 1993. ... Legislative elections were held in Australia on 2 March 1996. ... Legislative elections were held in Australia on 3 October 1998. ... Legislative elections were held in Australia on 10 November 2001. ... Legislative elections were held in Australia on 9 October 2004. ... The next Australian legislative election is expected to take place in late 2007, although it can be held as late as 19 January 2008. ...

Judicial In law, the judiciary or judicature is the system of courts which administer justice in the name of the sovereign or state, and provide a mechanism for the resolution of disputes. ... High Court Lower Courts Constitution

State and territory governments High Court entrance The High Court of Australia is the final court of appeal in Australia, the highest court in the Australian court hierarchy. ... There are two broad levels within the hierarchy of Australian courts, the federal level and the state and territory level. ... The states and territories of Australia make up the Commonwealth of Australia under a federal system of government. ...

Executive Governors and Administrators Premiers and Chief Ministers Legislative The Governors of the Australian states are the representatives in the six states of Australia of Australias head of state, Queen Elizabeth II. The Governors perform the same constitutional and ceremonial functions at the state level as does the Governor-General of Australia at the national level. ... The Premiers of the Australian states are the heads of the executive governments in the six states of the Commonwealth of Australia. ... A legislature is a type of representative deliberative assembly with the power to adopt laws. ... Parliaments and Assemblies State electoral systems ACT - NSW - NT - Qld. - SA - Tas. - Vic. - WA Judicial High Court Lower Courts Constitution State and territory governments Executive Governors and Administrators Premiers and Chief Ministers Legislative Parliaments and Assemblies State electoral systems ACT - NSW - NT - Qld. ... Emblems: The floral emblem of the ACT is the Royal Bluebell and the faunal emblem is the Gang-gang cockatoo Motto: For the Queen, the Law and the People Slogan or Nickname: (none) Other Australian states and territories Capital Canberra Government Const. ... The form of the Government of New South Wales is prescribed in its Constitution, which dates from 1856, although it has been amended many times since then. ... Judicial High Court Lower Courts Constitution State and territory governments Executive Governors and Administrators Premiers and Chief Ministers Legislative Parliaments and Assemblies State electoral systems ACT - NSW - NT - Qld. ... Queensland Government Logo The Government of Queensland is commonly known as the Queensland Government. ... The form of the Government of South Australia is prescribed in its Constitution, which dates from 1856, although it has been amended many times since then. ... The coat of arms of Tasmania. ... The form of the Government of Victoria is prescribed in its Constitution, which dates from 1855, although it has been amended many times since then. ... The form of the Government of Western Australia is prescribed in its Constitution, which dates from 1890, although it has been amended many times since then. ...

Local government Australia has two tiers of subnational government: state (or territory) government and local government. ...

Political parties Judicial High Court Lower Courts Constitution State and territory governments Executive Governors and Administrators Premiers and Chief Ministers Legislative Parliaments and Assemblies State electoral systems ACT - NSW - NT - Qld. ... Democrats - Greens - Labor Party - Country Liberal Party - Family First Party - Liberal Party - National Party The Australian Democrats (in regular parlance, just the Democrats), is an Australian social liberal party formed in 1977 from the earlier Australia Party by Don Chipp, who left the Liberal Party of Australia to do so. ... The Australian Greens, commonly known as The Greens, is the dominant Green political party in Australia. ... The Australian Labor Party (ALP) is Australias oldest political party. ... In Australian politics, the Country Liberal Party (CLP) is the Northern Territory equivalent to the Liberal and National parties - the Country part of the partys name is a relic of when the National Party was called the Country Party. ... The Family First Party is a political party in Australia. ... The Liberal Party of Australia is an Australian liberal conservative political party. ... The National Party of Australia is an Australian political party. ...

Foreign relations Judicial High Court Lower Courts Constitution State and territory governments Executive Governors and Administrators Premiers and Chief Ministers Legislative Parliaments and Assemblies State electoral systems ACT - NSW - NT - Qld. ...

Republicanism Judicial High Court Lower Courts Constitution State and territory governments Executive Governors and Administrators Premiers and Chief Ministers Legislative Parliaments and Assemblies State electoral systems ACT - NSW - NT - Qld. ...

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The Parliaments of the Australian states and territories are legislative bodies within the federal framework of the Commonwealth of Australia. Before the formation of the Commonwealth in 1901, the six Australian colonies were self-governing, with parliaments which had come into existence by stages from 1825, when the New South Wales Legislative Council was created, to 1891, Western Australia became the last of the colonies to gain full self-government. Information on politics by country is available for every country, including both de jure and de facto independent states, inhabited dependent territories, as well as areas of special sovereignty. ... 1901 (MCMI) was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Wednesday of the 13-day-slower Julian calendar). ... Opening of the Stockton and Darlington Railway 1825 (MDCCCXXV) was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ... Emblems: Floral - Waratah (Telopea speciosissima); Bird - Kookaburra (Dacelo gigas); Animal - Platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus); Fish - Blue Groper (Achoerodus viridis) Motto: Orta Recens Quam Pura Nites (Newly Risen, How Brightly You Shine) Slogan or Nickname: First State, Premier State Other Australian states and territories Capital Sydney Government Const. ... 1891 (MDCCCXCI) was a common year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ... Emblems: Floral - Kangaroo Paw (Anigozanthos manglesii); Mammal - Numbat (Myrmecobius fasciatus); Bird - Black Swan (Cygnus atratus) Motto: none Slogan or Nickname: Wildflower State Other Australian states and territories Capital Perth Government Const. ...

By ratifying the Constitution of Australia, the colonies agreed to become States of the Commonwealth, and to cede certain of their legislative powers to the Commonwealth Parliament, but otherwise retained their self-governing status with their own parliaments. The legislative powers of the state parliaments cannot be altered except by altering the Constitution, which can only be done by the Australian people voting in a referendum. Judicial High Court Lower Courts Constitution State and territory governments Executive Governors and Administrators Premiers and Chief Ministers Legislative Parliaments and Assemblies State electoral systems ACT - NSW - NT - Qld. ... Parliament House Canberra: The main entrance and the flag The Parliament of Australia is the legislative branch of Australia. ...

The Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory, by contrast, are territories of the Commonwealth, and their parliaments were created by way of legislation of the Commonwealth Parliament. Although the Commonwealth treats the territories as though they were states for many purposes, they are not states, and the legislative powers of their parliaments can be altered or even abolished by the Commonwealth Parliament. Emblems: The floral emblem of the ACT is the Royal Bluebell and the faunal emblem is the Gang-gang cockatoo Motto: For the Queen, the Law and the People Slogan or Nickname: (none) Other Australian states and territories Capital Canberra Government Const. ... Emblems: Sturts Desert Rose (floral) Motto: None Slogan or Nickname: The Territory, The NT, The Top End Other Australian states and territories Capital Darwin Government Const. ...

All of the States except Queensland have bicameral parliaments, with a lower house called the Legislative Assembly or House of Assembly, and an upper house called the Legislative Council. The two Territories' parliaments are unicameral. Emblems: Faunal - Koala (Phascolarctos cinereus); Floral - Cooktown orchid (Dendrobium bigibbum); Bird - Brolga (Grus rubicunda); Aquatic - Barrier Reef Anemonefish (Amphiprion akindynos); Gem - Sapphire; Colour - Maroon Motto: Audax at Fidelis (Bold but Faithful) Slogan or Nickname: Sunshine State, Smart State Other Australian states and territories Capital Brisbane Government Const. ... In government, bicameralism is the practice of having two legislative or parliamentary chambers. ... A lower house is one of two chambers of a bicameral legislature, the other chamber being the upper house. ... A Legislative Assembly in some parts of the Commonwealth refers to a legislature, or a chamber of the legislature. ... House of Assembly is a name given to the legislature or lower house of a bicameral legislature, in some countries, often at subnational level. ... An upper house is one of two chambers of a bicameral legislature, the other chamber being the lower house. ... A Legislative Council in British constitutional thought is the second-to-top tier of a government led by a Governor-General, Governor or a Lieutenant-Governor, inferior to an Executive Council and equal to or superior to a Legislative Assembly. ... Unicameralism is the practice of having only one legislative or parliamentary chamber. ...

The Parliament of New South Wales

The New South Wales Legislative Council is the oldest legislative body in Australia, having been created in 1825 as an appointed body to advise the Governor. Today it has 42 members serving eight-year terms and elected by proportional representation. The Legislative Assembly was created in 1856 when New South Wales attained self-government. Today it has 93 members elected for four-year terms from single-member constituencies. Emblems: Floral - Waratah (Telopea speciosissima); Bird - Kookaburra (Dacelo gigas); Animal - Platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus); Fish - Blue Groper (Achoerodus viridis) Motto: Orta Recens Quam Pura Nites (Newly Risen, How Brightly You Shine) Slogan or Nickname: First State, Premier State Other Australian states and territories Capital Sydney Government Const. ... The Legislative Council, or upper house, is one of the two chambers of the parliament of New South Wales in Australia. ... Opening of the Stockton and Darlington Railway 1825 (MDCCCXXV) was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ... List of Governors of New South Wales See Governors of the Australian states for a description and history of the office of Governor. ... Proportional representation (sometimes referred to as full representation, or PR), is an electoral system delivering a close match between the percentage of votes that groups of candidates (grouped by a certain measure) obtain in elections and the percentage of seats they receive (usually in legislative assemblies). ... The Legislative Assembly, or lower house, is one of the two chambers of the parliament of New South Wales in Australia. ... 1856 was a leap year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ...

The Parliament of Queensland

Queensland's Legislative Assembly was created in 1859 when the then colony attained self-government. Today it has 89 members elected for three-year terms from single-member constituencies. The Legislative Council was abolished in 1922. Emblems: Faunal - Koala (Phascolarctos cinereus); Floral - Cooktown orchid (Dendrobium bigibbum); Bird - Brolga (Grus rubicunda); Aquatic - Barrier Reef Anemonefish (Amphiprion akindynos); Gem - Sapphire; Colour - Maroon Motto: Audax at Fidelis (Bold but Faithful) Slogan or Nickname: Sunshine State, Smart State Other Australian states and territories Capital Brisbane Government Const. ... The Legislative Assembly. ... 1859 (MDCCCLIX) is a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Monday of the Julian calendar). ... The Queensland Legislative Council was the upper house of the parliament in the Australian state of Queensland, until its abolition in 1922. ... 1922 (MCMXXII) was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ...

The Parliament of South Australia

South Australia's Legislative Council was created in 1840 as an appointive body. Today it has 22 members, elected for eight-year terms by proportional representation. The House of Assembly was created in 1857 when South Australia attained self-government. Today it has 47 members, elected for four-year terms from single-member constituencies. Emblems: Hairy Nosed Wombat (faunal); Leafy Seadragon (marine); Piping Shrike (bird: unofficial); Sturts Desert Pea (floral); Opal (gemstone) Motto: United for the Common Wealth Slogan or Nickname: Festival State Other Australian states and territories Capital Adelaide Government Const. ... The Legislative Council chamber circa 1939 The Legislative Council, or upper house, is one of the two chambers of parliament in the Australian state of South Australia. ... 1840 is a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will take you to calendar). ... The House of Assembly, or lower house, is one of the two chambers of parliament in the Australian state of South Australia. ... 1857 was a common year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ...

The Parliament of Tasmania

Tasmania's Legislative Council was created in 1825 as an appointed body. (Tasmania was then called Van Diemen's Land.) Today it has 15 members, elected for six-year terms from single-member constituencies. The House of Assembly was created in 1856 when Tasmania attained self-government. Today has 25 members, elected for four-year terms from multi-member constituencies by the Hare-Clark system of proportional representation. Emblems: Flora - Tasmanian Blue Gum; Mineral - Crocoite Motto: Ubertas et Fidelitas (Fertility and Faithfulness) Slogan or Nickname: The Apple Isle; Holiday Isle Other Australian states and territories Capital Hobart Government Const. ... The Legislative Council, or upper house, is one of the two chambers of the parliament of Tasmania in Australia. ... Opening of the Stockton and Darlington Railway 1825 (MDCCCXXV) was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ... Van Diemens Land was the original name used by Europeans for the island of Tasmania, now part of Australia. ... The House of Assembly, or lower house, is one of the two chambers of the Parliament of Tasmania in Australia. ... 1856 was a leap year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ... This STV ballot for the Australian Senate illustrates group voting tickets. ... Proportional representation (sometimes referred to as full representation, or PR), is an electoral system delivering a close match between the percentage of votes that groups of candidates (grouped by a certain measure) obtain in elections and the percentage of seats they receive (usually in legislative assemblies). ...

The Parliament of Victoria

Victoria's Legislative Council was created in 1851. Today it has 44 members serving eight year terms and elected from single-member constituencies. The Legislative Assembly was created in 1855 when Victoria attained self-government. Today it has 88 members elected for four-year terms from single-member constituencies. Motto: Peace and Prosperity Other Australian states and territories Capital Melbourne Governor HE Mr John Landy Premier Steve Bracks (ALP) Area 237,629 km² (6th)  - Land 227,416 km²  - Water 10,213 km² (4. ... The Legislative Council, or upper house, is one of the two chambers of the Parliament of Victoria, Australia. ... 1851 (MDCCCLI) was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Friday of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar). ... The Legislative Assembly, or lower house, is one of the two chambers of the parliament of Victoria in Australia. ... 1855 was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ...

From November 2006 the Legislative Council will have 40 members, each serving a fixed four-year term. They will represent eight multi-member constituences, each with five members elected by proportional representation. The Legislative Council, or upper house, is one of the two chambers of the Parliament of Victoria, Australia. ...

The Parliament of Western Australia

Western Australia's Legislative Council was created in 1832 as an appointive body. Today it has 34 members elected for four-year terms from multi-member constituencies by proportional representation. The Legislative Assembly was created in 1891 when Western Australia attained self-government. Today it has 57 members, elected for four-year terms from single-member constituencies. Emblems: Floral - Kangaroo Paw (Anigozanthos manglesii); Mammal - Numbat (Myrmecobius fasciatus); Bird - Black Swan (Cygnus atratus) Motto: none Slogan or Nickname: Wildflower State Other Australian states and territories Capital Perth Government Const. ... The Legislative Council, or upper house, is one of the two chambers of parliament in the Australian state of Western Australia. ... 1832 was a leap year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... The Legislative Assembly, or lower house, is one of the two chambers of parliament in the Australian state of Western Australia. ... 1891 (MDCCCXCI) was a common year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ...

The Parliament of the Australian Capital Territory

The Australian Capital Territory's Legislative Assembly was created by an act of the Commonwealth Parliament in 1989. It has 17 members, elected for four-year terms from multi-member constituencies by the Hare-Clark system of proportional representation. Emblems: The floral emblem of the ACT is the Royal Bluebell and the faunal emblem is the Gang-gang cockatoo Motto: For the Queen, the Law and the People Slogan or Nickname: (none) Other Australian states and territories Capital Canberra Government Const. ... The ACT Legislative Assembly building, as seen from the front The Australian Capital Territory Legislative Assembly (or, more formally and fully, the Legislative Assembly for the Australian Capital Territory) is the unicameral legislature of the Australian Capital Territory. ... 1989 (MCMLXXXIX) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Proportional representation (sometimes referred to as full representation, or PR), is an electoral system delivering a close match between the percentage of votes that groups of candidates (grouped by a certain measure) obtain in elections and the percentage of seats they receive (usually in legislative assemblies). ...

The Parliament of the Northern Territory

The Northern Territory's Legislative Assembly was created by an act of the Commonwealth Parliament in 1974. An earlier advisory body, the Northern Territory Legislative Council, existed from 1947 to 1974. The Assembly has 25 members, elected for four-year terms from single-member constituencies. Emblems: Sturts Desert Rose (floral) Motto: None Slogan or Nickname: The Territory, The NT, The Top End Other Australian states and territories Capital Darwin Government Const. ... The Legislative Assembly is the only chamber of parliament in the Northern Territory in Australia. ... 1974 (MCMLXXIV) was a common year starting on Tuesday. ... 1947 (MCMXLVII) was a common year starting on Wednesday (the link is to a full 1947 calendar). ... 1974 (MCMLXXIV) was a common year starting on Tuesday. ...

See also

• Electoral systems of the Australian states and territories

Judicial High Court Lower Courts Constitution State and territory governments Executive Governors and Administrators Premiers and Chief Ministers Legislative Parliaments and Assemblies State electoral systems ACT - NSW - NT - Qld. ...

External links

• The New South Wales Parliament
• The Queensland Parliament
• The South Australian Parliament
• The Tasmanian Parliament
• The Victorian Parliament
• The Western Australian Parliament
• The Australian Capital Territory Legislative Assembly
• The Northern Territory Legislative Assembly