Damon Mcknight
Australia and the United Kingdom have a long shared history, with the UK having played a significant role in shaping Australia's past and present. From the British settlement of Australia as a penal colony in 1788 to the country's gradual transition towards independence, the UK's influence has been profound. While Australia is now a sovereign nation with its own unique form of government, there are still ties that bind the two countries together, including shared sports rivalries, cultural exchanges, and a monarchical system of government. So, does this mean that Australia is governed by England?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Is Australia governed by England? | No, Australia is a self-governing country. |
| Is Australia a part of the UK? | No, but it is a part of the Commonwealth of Nations. |
| Who is the head of state in Australia? | A hereditary monarch, currently King Charles III. |
| Who is the governor-general of Australia? | Samantha Mostyn |
| Who represents the monarch in each Australian state? | A governor, assisted by a lieutenant-governor |
| Who is the monarch of the Commonwealth of Nations? | King Charles III |
| Who advises the monarch on matters relating to Australia? | Australian federal ministers of state |
| Who advises the monarch on matters relating to an Australian state? | Ministers of that state |
| What is the highest court in Australia? | The High Court of Australia |
| Does British legislation apply to Australia? | No, but there may be remnants of British legislation in Australian law. |
| Does Australia have a free trade agreement with the UK? | Yes, signed on December 17, 2021 |
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What You'll Learn
Australia's monarchy and its ties to the UK
Australia is a constitutional monarchy, with a federal parliamentary democracy modelled on the UK's Westminster system. The country shares the same monarch as the UK and 14 other Commonwealth realms, currently King Charles III. The monarch is Australia's head of state and is represented by a governor-general at the federal level and a governor in each state.
The ties between the Australian and British monarchies are deep-rooted and historical. In 1770, Captain James Cook, under instruction from King George III, sailed along and mapped the east coast of Australia, claiming it for Great Britain. The British Crown Colony of New South Wales was formally established in 1788.
The Australian monarchy's independence from the UK has evolved over time. In 1926, it was announced that governors-general would no longer represent the UK government, and in 1930, it was clarified that the monarch would be advised by Australian ministers on matters concerning the country. The Australia Act of 1986 further solidified this separation, stating that the British government cannot advise the monarch on any matters pertaining to Australia.
Despite these moves towards independence, the Australian monarchy still has strong ties to the UK. Royal succession, for example, is determined by a mix of common law, British law, and Australian federal and state statutes. The monarch's heir must be in communion with the Church of England and not a Roman Catholic, as per British statutes.
In recent years, there have been growing calls for Australia to reconsider its ties to the monarchy and become a republic. The Australian Republic Movement has gained momentum, particularly after the death of Queen Elizabeth II, with some Indigenous Australians and political parties advocating for constitutional change.
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Australia's independence from Britain
In 1901, the six colonies were joined together to create the Commonwealth of Australia, a self-governing Dominion within the British Empire. While Australia had sovereignty over its domestic affairs, the United Kingdom maintained control over its external relations and foreign policy. This marked the beginning of Australia's gradual gain of independence over the next four decades. During this time, Australia also participated in the First World War alongside Britain and was impacted by the global Great Depression.
The Balfour Declaration of 1926 recognised the autonomy of Australia and other Dominions within the British Empire, stating that they were "equal in status, in no way subordinate one to another in any aspect of their domestic or external affairs." This declaration laid the foundation for the formal codification of this relationship in the Statute of Westminster, approved by the United Kingdom in December 1931. The Statute of Westminster granted legal status to Australia's independence and reduced the powers previously exercised by Britain in areas such as foreign affairs.
However, it was not until October 9, 1942, that Australia adopted the Statute of Westminster Adoption Act, marking the point when Australia technically became able to pursue its own foreign policy independently. This delay in adopting the act was due to concerns over domestic secessions and reliance on Britain's military support. During this period, Australia also joined Britain in the Second World War, with Australian forces playing a prominent role in various campaigns.
In December 1941, Prime Minister John Curtin made a landmark address, declaring Australia's freedom from "traditional links of kindship with Great Britain" and expressing the country's desire to pursue an independent foreign policy with support from the USA. This shift marked a pivotal moment in Australia's foreign policy and further solidified its independence from Britain.
Today, Australia maintains strong relations with the United Kingdom, particularly in areas such as trade, security, and cultural exchanges. Both countries share a monarch, King Charles III, and are active members of the Commonwealth of Nations. Despite these enduring ties, Australia has established itself as an independent nation with its own unique constitution, government, and foreign policy.
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Australia-United Kingdom Free Trade Agreement
Australia and the United Kingdom share historical ties, with the former being a part of the British Empire. However, Australia is now an independent country and is not governed by England. The Australia-United Kingdom Free Trade Agreement (A-UKFTA) is a testament to the strong bilateral relationship between the two countries.
The A-UKFTA was signed on December 17, 2021, and entered into force on May 31, 2023. It is Australia's first free trade agreement signed after Brexit. The agreement has eliminated tariffs on over 99% of Australian goods exports to the UK, including key exports such as wine, rice, sugar, honey, nuts, olive oil, and food supplements. It has also removed tariffs on Australian industrial goods, such as auto parts, electrical equipment, and fashion items.
The A-UKFTA provides significant benefits to both countries. For Australia, it opens up new export opportunities, reduces input costs for businesses, strengthens trade diversification, and helps ease cost-of-living pressures for consumers. It also promotes the mutual recognition of professional qualifications, making it easier for skilled professionals to enter the UK labour market. Additionally, the agreement includes the Innovation and Early Careers Skills Exchange Pilot (IECSEP), which allows UK citizens who are early in their careers or have contributed to innovation to live and work in Australia.
The A-UKFTA also has cultural implications. It lays the foundation for Australian artists, including First Nations artists, to receive royalties when their original works of art are resold in the UK. This promotes the exchange of ideas and strengthens the cultural ties between the two countries.
The United Kingdom is one of Australia's major trading partners, with a two-way goods trade worth $10 billion in 2022 and a two-way services trade worth over $11 billion in 2021-22, making it Australia's second-largest services trading partner. The agreement further solidifies the strong economic relationship between the two countries and provides a platform for enhanced cooperation and collaboration.
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Australia-United Kingdom relations
Australia and the United Kingdom share exceptionally strong relations marked by historical, cultural, institutional, and people-to-people links, aligned security interests, sporting tournaments, and significant trade and investment cooperation.
The two countries share a monarch, King Charles III, and are both active members of the Commonwealth of Nations. The United Kingdom is the second-largest source of foreign investment in Australia, with the stock of investment valued at $574.8 billion in 2018. Australia, in turn, is the seventh-largest foreign direct investor in the United Kingdom. The two countries have a long history of close collaboration in military affairs, and in modern times, they are members of the AUSCANNZUKUS security cooperation, which includes the Five Eyes intelligence-sharing alliance with the US, Canada, and New Zealand.
In March 2023, the two countries signed a defence and security cooperation agreement based on the United Kingdom's submarine design, which will incorporate technology from all three nations, including cutting-edge US submarine technologies. The two countries also signed the Australia-United Kingdom Free Trade Agreement on December 17, 2021, which was the first free trade agreement signed completely anew since Brexit.
The United Kingdom and Australia also share a common language, English, and a similar legal system based on common law. The two countries have a history of cultural exchange in the arts, music, and literature. Many Australian soap opera alumni, such as Kylie Minogue, Dannii Minogue, and Jason Donovan, have gone on to have successful careers in the United Kingdom. Australian tennis players have been particularly successful in men's doubles at Wimbledon, while no British player has won the Australian Open since 1934.
The final constitutional ties between the United Kingdom and Australia ended in 1986 with the passing of the Australia Act 1986, which also stipulated that the British government cannot advise the monarch on any matters pertinent to Australia.
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Australia's constitution and the UK
Australia's constitution is formally known as the Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act 1900 (UK). It was drafted in 1898 and presented to the electors of each colony, except Western Australia. After ratification by the five colonies, the bill was sent to the British Imperial Parliament, with a request to Queen Victoria to enact the bill. The Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act became law after receiving royal assent on 9 July 1900. The Act is divided into sections, with the first eight sections known as the "covering clauses", and the remaining sections being the 128 sections of the original Australian Constitution.
The Australian Constitution establishes a constitutional monarchy, with a monarch as the Head of State. The monarch of Australia is the same person as the monarch of the other Commonwealth realms, including the United Kingdom. However, each realm is independent of the others. The Australia Act 1986 further solidified Australia's independence by removing the ability of the UK to advise the monarch on matters concerning Australia.
The Constitution sets out the guidelines for the Australian nation, providing the authority for the powers of the legislators, the executive government, and the courts. It covers various aspects of governance, including the Parliament, the Executive, the Judiciary, financial and trade matters, the federal relationship between the States and the Commonwealth, the formation of new States, and the process for altering the Constitution.
The original Constitution has been amended eight times, with changes made in 1907, 1910, 1929, 1946, 1967, and three amendments in 1977. These amendments addressed issues such as the federation, the role of the Governor-General, and the rights of citizens.
While Australia and the UK share historical ties and a common monarchy, the Australia Act 1986 ensured that Australia is fully independent of the British Parliament and legal system. The two countries continue to maintain strong relations, marked by cultural, institutional, and people-to-people links, as well as cooperation in security, sports, and trade.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Australia is not governed by England. Australia is a self-governing country and has been fully independent of Britain since the Australia Act 1986.
Australia and the UK have strong historical, cultural, and institutional links. The two countries share a monarch, King Charles III, and are both members of the Commonwealth of Nations.
Australia is a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary democracy, similar to the UK's Westminster system. The monarch is represented at the federal level by the governor-general and in each state by a governor.
Australia was initially a penal colony established by the British in 1788. Over time, Australia gained more control over its external affairs, achieving full independence in 1986. The two countries continue to have a close relationship, with strong trade and investment cooperation.
