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An Egalitarian Society!
Australia has a system of government based on the liberal
democratic tradition, which embraces religious tolerance and
freedom of speech and association.
 Following
Australia’s federation in 1901, the six former colonies (now states) opted
for a written constitution with a relationship between national and state governments
similar to that of the United States. At the same time, they chose to retain
the Westminster model as the basis for the legislature, executive government
and judiciary. This blend of two democratic traditions is now uniquely Australian.
| Government type: |
democratic, federal system |
| Administrative divisions: |
6 states – New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia,
Tasmania, Victoria and Western Australia; and 2 territories – Australian Capital Territory and Northern Territory. |
| Capital: |
Canberra |
| Constitution: |
written constitution effective
1 January 1901, from the time of independence from British
rule. This defines the responsibilities of the federal
government in areas such as defence, trade, taxes and
foreign affairs and the responsibilities of state/territory
governments in areas such as education, welfare and law
enforcement.
|
| Legal system: |
based on English common law |
| Voting: |
universal and compulsory
voting from 18 years of age in federal and state elections |
| Head of state: |
Queen Elizabeth II,
represented by the Governor General |
| Head of government: |
Prime Minister |
| Cabinet: |
government ministers are
selected from among members of parliament to set government
policy |
| Parliament: |
bicameral federal
parliament, elected by popular vote, consisting of the Senate (76
seats) and the House of Representatives (150 seats) |
| Elections: |
national general elections
are scheduled every three years |
| Political Parties: |
multi-party system; however,
the two prominent political parties are the Liberal Party
and the Australian Labor Party |
| Judiciary: |
High Court (the Chief Justice
and six other justices are appointed by the Governor General) |
| Territories: |
The Federal Government, through the
Attorney-General's Department administers:
- Ashmore and Cartier Islands,
- Christmas Island,
- the Cocos (Keeling) Islands,
- the Coral Sea Islands,
- Jervis Bay,
- and Norfolk Island
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