Damon Mcknight
The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) is a federal territory of Australia that contains the country's capital, Canberra, and some surrounding townships. It is not a state, but it operates indistinguishably from the states, with representation in the Parliament and Senate. The ACT gained self-government in 1988 through the Australian Capital Territory (Self-Government) Act 1988, which established a democratic government for the territory consisting of a popularly elected Legislative Assembly that elects a Chief Minister.
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What You'll Learn
- The ACT is a territory, not a state
- The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) is home to Canberra, Australia's capital city
- The ACT is governed by the Australian Capital Territory (Self-Government) Act 1988
- The ACT was known as the Federal Capital Territory until 1938
- The ACT is an internal territory of Australia
The ACT is a territory, not a state
Australia is made up of six states and two territories, with eight capital cities in total. The Australian Capital Territory (ACT), also known as the Federal Capital Territory until 1938, is a federal territory of Australia and one of the two territories. The other territory is the Northern Territory. The ACT is located in southeastern Australia and is an enclave within the state of New South Wales.
The ACT is not a state, and this is because the six states were formed first, with their own Crowns and sovereign authority. Federation came later and is a Federation of those States. With that came a new Crown and some authority ceded to that central government by the States. Anything that wasn't a State when the Constitution was written is thus lesser than a State. The ACT was set up as a territory in the constitution so the federal government would have slightly more control, and it's basically not allowed to change. If the ACT wanted to stop being administered as a Territory, it would probably have to make a case for absorption into New South Wales.
The ACT gained self-government in 1988, and the National Capital Triangle, as well as a few other areas in the ACT, were declared "National Land". The Australian Capital Territory (Self-Government) Act 1988 constitutes a democratic government for the territory consisting of a popularly elected Legislative Assembly, which elects a Chief Minister from among its members. The executive power of the territory rests with the ACT government, headed by the Chief Minister.
The ACT is home to Canberra, the capital city of Australia. Canberra is the only Australian state or territory to be a refugee welcome zone. It is also home to many important institutions of the federal government, national monuments, and museums, including the Parliament of Australia, the High Court of Australia, the Australian Defence Force Academy, and the Australian War Memorial.
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The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) is home to Canberra, Australia's capital city
The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) is a federal territory of Australia and home to Canberra, the capital city of Australia. It is located in the southeast of the country and is an enclave within the state of New South Wales. The territory was known as the Federal Capital Territory until 1938.
The Australian Constitution mandated establishing a capital territory, and the site was chosen in 1908. Construction began in 1911, and parliament moved from the temporary capital, Melbourne, to the first Parliament House in 1927. The ACT is home to many important institutions of the federal government, national monuments, and museums. This includes the Parliament of Australia, the High Court of Australia, the Australian Defence Force Academy, and the Australian War Memorial. It also hosts the majority of foreign embassies in Australia, as well as the regional headquarters of many international organizations, not-for-profit groups, lobbying groups, and professional associations.
Canberra is a diverse and multicultural city with a strong economy and a thriving job market. The city has a mix of multi-national corporations, micro-businesses, and government agencies. It is also home to several major universities, including the Australian National University, the University of Canberra, and the University of New South Wales. The territory has a continental climate with marked seasonal and diurnal variations in temperature. The average annual rainfall is 629mm, with the wettest month being October and the driest month being June.
The ACT is governed by the Australian Capital Territory (Self-Government) Act 1988, which provides for a democratically elected Legislative Assembly that elects a Chief Minister. The territory is not a state, and if it wanted to cease being administered as a territory, it would likely have to make a case for absorption into New South Wales.
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The ACT is governed by the Australian Capital Territory (Self-Government) Act 1988
The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) is not a state but an internal territory of Australia. The ACT gained self-government in 1988 through the Australian Capital Territory (Self-Government) Act 1988. This Act of the Parliament of Australia established "a body politic under the Crown by the name of the Australian Capital Territory" and is the constitutional foundation of the Territory's government.
The Australian Capital Territory (Self-Government) Act 1988 created a democratic government for the ACT that is independent of the Commonwealth government. The Act provides for a fully elected legislature to make statutory law for the ACT, an executive, and an independent court system. The legislature, known as the Legislative Assembly, is a unicameral parliament consisting of at least 17 members, including a Presiding Officer (the Speaker) and a Chief Minister. The Chief Minister, who is currently Andrew Barr of the Labor Party, heads the ACT government and appoints ministers to the Executive.
The Legislative Assembly has the power to make laws for the "peace, order, and good government" of the Territory, with some exceptions. It can also convert federal laws, such as ordinances made under the old Administration Act, into "enactments" that the Assembly can alter.
The ACT is unique in that it does not have a vice-regal post or an Administrator, Governor, or Governor-General as in other states, the Northern Territory, and the federal government. Instead, the functions typically associated with these roles are exercised by the Assembly itself and the Chief Minister.
The ACT's path to self-government was not without challenges. In 1978, a referendum on self-government for the ACT was defeated, with 68% of voters against it. However, in 1988, the federal Labor government of Prime Minister Bob Hawke established self-government for the ACT.
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The ACT was known as the Federal Capital Territory until 1938
The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) is an internal territory of Australia. It was known as the Federal Capital Territory until 1938 when it was formally renamed the Australian Capital Territory.
The ACT is home to Canberra, the capital city of Australia, and is the territory's primate city. The territory is located in southeastern Australia and is surrounded by the state of New South Wales.
The history of the ACT as a separate administrative division began in 1911 when the land was transferred from New South Wales to the Australian federal government. The Federal Capital Territory came into being in 1911 with the transfer of 2,360 square kilometres of land, including the seaport of Jervis Bay, from New South Wales to the Commonwealth. The Federal Capital City design competition was launched the same year, and in 1913, the capital city was officially named Canberra.
The ACT was established as a separate territory in the Australian Constitution, giving the federal government slightly more control over the region. The six states of Australia were formed first, each with its own Crown and sovereign authority, and the federation that came later was a union of these states. As a territory, the ACT is governed under a Commonwealth statute, specifically the Australian Capital Territory (Self-Government) Act 1988, which grants it self-government. The ACT gained a seat in the House of Representatives in 1949 and has had two members of the Senate since 1975.
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The ACT is an internal territory of Australia
The Australian Capital Territory (ACT), known as the Federal Capital Territory until 1938, is an internal territory of Australia. Canberra, the capital city of Australia, is situated within the territory and is the territory's primate city. The ACT is located in the southeastern Australian mainland as an enclave surrounded by the state of New South Wales (NSW).
The ACT was excised from NSW after federation as the seat of government for the new nation. The territory hosts parliament house, the High Court of Australia, and the head offices of many Australian Government agencies. The Australian Constitution mandated establishing such a capital territory. The site was chosen in 1908, construction began in 1911, and parliament moved from the temporary capital, Melbourne, into the first Parliament House in 1927.
The ACT gained self-government in 1988 with the Australian Capital Territory (Self-Government) Act 1988. The territory is governed under a Commonwealth statute, constituting a democratic government consisting of a popularly elected Legislative Assembly that elects a Chief Minister from among its members. The executive power of the territory rests with the ACT government, headed by the Chief Minister. The ACT government is supported by the ACT Public Service, which is arranged into directorates and a number of public authorities.
The ACT operates indistinguishably from the states, with representation in the Parliament since 1948 and in the Senate since 1975. However, the ACT does not have constitutional status as a state, and to change this, the constitution would need to be amended.
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Frequently asked questions
No, the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) is a federal territory of Australia.
The six Australian states were formed first, with their own Crowns and sovereign authority. Federation came later and is a Federation of those States. Anything that wasn't a State when the Constitution was written is thus lesser than a State.
Canberra is the capital of the Australian Capital Territory.
In 2021, the population of the Australian Capital Territory was 454,499.
Higher education is the territory's largest export industry. The territory is home to a significant number of universities and higher education providers. The Federal Government is also a large employer in Canberra.
