Lexi Webster
Australia is a federation, a parliamentary democracy, and a constitutional monarchy. The country is made up of several self-governing states and territories with a national government that sits on top of them. The current executive government in Australia consists of Anthony Albanese and other ministers of the Australian Labor Party (ALP), who have been in office since the 2022 federal election. The prime minister is the head of the federal government and is appointed by the governor-general, who is the federal representative of the monarch of Australia, currently King Charles III.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the government | Government of Australia (preferred), Government of the Commonwealth |
| Type of government | Federation, parliamentary democracy, constitutional monarchy |
| Head of State | King Charles III |
| Head of government | Prime Minister Anthony Albanese |
| Current government | Australian Labor Party (ALP) |
| Number of departments | 16 |
| Number of Prime Ministers | 31 |
| Number of elections | 47 |
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What You'll Learn
The current government
The current Australian government is a federation, a parliamentary democracy, and a constitutional monarchy. Australia is made up of several self-governing states and territories with a national government that sits at the top. The name of the government in the Constitution of Australia is the "Government of the Commonwealth", although the name "Australian Government" is often used to avoid confusion with the Commonwealth of Nations and the US federal government.
The current executive government consists of Anthony Albanese and other ministers of the Australian Labor Party (ALP), who came into power following the 2022 federal election. The prime minister is the head of the federal government and is appointed by the governor-general, who is the federal representative of the monarch of Australia. The current monarch of Australia is King Charles III, who is the Head of State of the Commonwealth and of each of the States. The governor-general usually presides over the Federal Executive Council, which formally advises the governor-general in the exercise of executive power. The current vice-president of the Federal Executive Council is senator Katy Gallagher.
The prime minister and their sworn ministers form the cabinet, which is the key decision-making organ of the government that makes policy and decides the government's agenda. The cabinet holds legislative power through its control of parliament and executive power through the ministers, who act on behalf of the governor-general and the monarch. The government's responsibilities cover areas such as defence, border security, customs, trade, foreign affairs, and airports and seaports, while state and territory governments control schools, hospitals, emergency services, public housing, and the environment.
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Previous governments
Australia's political system has been largely dominated by two groups: the Labor Party and the Coalition, composed of the Liberal Party and the National Party (formerly the Country Party). The current federal government structure was established in 1901 by the Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act, with the first federal election resulting in a minority government.
The Labor Party was the first to win a majority government in the 1910 election. From 1909, a two-party system existed in the Australian House of Representatives, with the Protectionist Party and the Free Trade Party merging in an anti-socialist alliance. The Labor Party, however, was the most successful party during the first 50 years of Federation, governing for approximately 15 years.
The Liberal Party, founded in 1944–45 by Robert Gordon Menzies, came to power in 1949, marking the start of a 22-year rule. Menzies served as prime minister from 1949 to 1966, the longest of any prime minister. The Liberal-Country coalition dominated Australian politics until 1972 when the Labor Party, led by Gough Whitlam, came to power. Whitlam became the first prime minister to visit China.
The Liberal-National coalition regained power in 1975, only to lose it again to Labor in 1983. The Liberal Party, led by John Winston Howard, once again formed a coalition government with the National Party in 1996. This coalition, with a pro-business and pro-US stance, went on to win re-election in 1998, 2001, and 2004.
In 2007, Kevin Rudd of the Labor Party defeated Howard, marking another shift in the country's leadership. Rudd was replaced by Julia Gillard in 2010, making her the first female prime minister. However, in 2013, Rudd returned as the leader of the Labor Party, only to lose the September 2013 general election to the Liberal-National coalition, with Tony Abbott becoming prime minister.
Malcolm Turnbull replaced Abbott in 2015 but was ousted by the conservative wing of his own party in 2018, paving the way for Scott Morrison to become prime minister. Morrison led the coalition to victory in the 2019 federal election but lost to Labor in 2022.
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Federal, state and local government
Australia has three levels of government: federal, state, and local. The federal government is at the top, followed by the state and territory governments, and then the local councils. Each level of government has its own responsibilities, and in some cases, they may work together or share responsibilities.
The federal government, located in Canberra, the capital of Australia, is responsible for issues that affect the entire nation. This includes defence, border security, customs, trade and foreign affairs, monetary policy, and airports and seaports. The Australian Parliament, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives, is responsible for making federal laws.
Below the federal government are the state and territory governments. Australia has six state parliaments and two territory parliaments, located in the capital cities of each state and territory. The state governments are responsible for schools, hospitals, emergency services, public housing, the environment, roads, railways and public transport, agriculture and fishing, industrial relations, community services, sport and recreation, consumer affairs, police, prisons, and more. It is important to note that each state has its own constitution, outlining its specific system of government.
At the most local level are the local councils, which make local laws, also known as by-laws, for their specific regions or districts. There are over 500 local councils across Australia, and their responsibilities include managing the particular needs of their local communities. The number and type of local councils can vary, with larger cities like Sydney divided into multiple councils, while smaller country areas may have a single shire council.
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The role of the prime minister
Australia is a federation made up of several self-governing states and territories with a national government sitting over the top. The country operates within a parliamentary or semi-presidential system, and the prime minister is the head of the government.
The prime minister has the authority to make independent policy decisions, separate from the Cabinet, and these are colloquially called "captain's calls". They also have significant influence over foreign policy, through their role as chair of the National Security Committee, a subcommittee of the Cabinet whose decisions do not need to be endorsed by the Cabinet as a whole.
The prime minister must be able to command a continuous majority in the legislature to remain in office. They do not have fixed terms and generally serve the full length of their term unless they lose the majority of the House or are replaced as the leader of their party. In the modern era, the role of prime minister has been enhanced by the emergence of international summits and heads of government meetings as key events in international diplomacy.
As of 27 August 2023, the prime minister of Australia is paid a total salary of A$586,950. This includes the 'base salary' received by all members of parliament, plus a 160% 'additional salary' for the role of prime minister.
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The role of the governor-general
As of September 2022, the Labor Party is in power in Australia. The current leader of the Labor Party and the Prime Minister of Australia is Anthony Albanese.
The Governor-General of Australia is the representative of the King of Australia, King Charles III. The Governor-General performs similar duties to the Monarch, such as giving Royal Assent to laws. They also have 'reserve powers' that can be used to resolve a constitutional crisis. The Governor-General is an Australian constitutional official who is only permitted to take advice from the elected Australian government. They are appointed by the monarch and take an oath of allegiance to the monarch.
The Governor-General is responsible for ensuring that the constitution is respected and followed at all times. They act as an umpire or mediator in the political scene, remaining independent, non-partisan, and objective. While they do not normally take drastic action, there have been rare and controversial exceptions, such as in 1975 when the Governor-General, Sir John Kerr, dismissed the Prime Minister, Gough Whitlam.
The Governor-General is generally considered to be the head of state, as they perform almost all national regal functions. However, some argue that the King is the head of state, as the Governor-General is merely the King's representative. The term "head of state" is not used in the Australian Constitution or any official document.
The Governor-General of Australia is currently Ms. Samantha Mostyn, who took office on 1 July 2024. She succeeded General David Hurley.
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Frequently asked questions
The current executive government in Australia consists of Anthony Albanese and other ministers of the Australian Labor Party (ALP), in office since the 2022 federal election.
Australia is a federation, meaning it is made up of several self-governing states and territories with a national government. The three levels of government are federal, local, and state.
King Charles III is the King of Australia and therefore Head of State of the Commonwealth and of each of the States.
