Damon Mcknight
Australia has three levels of government: federal, state or territory, and local. The federal level, also known as the Federal Parliament, is the legislative arm of government in Australia. It consists of the monarch of Australia (represented by the governor-general), the Senate (the upper house), and the House of Representatives (the lower house). The Federal Parliament makes laws for the whole of Australia.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of levels | 3 |
| Federal legislature | Parliament of Australia (officially the Parliament of the Commonwealth) |
| Federal Parliament composition | The monarch of Australia (represented by the governor-general), the Senate (the upper house), and the House of Representatives (the lower house) |
| Number of members in the Senate | 76 |
| Number of members in the House of Representatives | 150 |
| Number of local government bodies | Over 500 |
| Local government bodies are also known as | Councils, municipalities or shires |
| Local government body members | Elected members and staff |
| Average number of elected members in each council | 9 |
| Elected members are known as | Councillors or aldermen |
| Chair or head of the council | Mayor or president |
| State parliament members are known as | Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLA), Members of the House of Assembly (MHA), or Members of the Legislative Council (MLC) |
| Leader of a state government | Premier |
| Territories with one house in their parliament | Northern Territory and Australian Capital Territory |
| Territories' houses are called | Legislative Assembly |
| Leader of each territory government | Chief Minister |
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What You'll Learn
Federal Parliament
The Federal Parliament, also known as the Parliament of Australia or the Parliament of the Commonwealth, is the federal legislature of Australia. It is the decision-making body of the federal government and consists of three elements: the monarch of Australia (represented by the governor-general), the Senate (the upper house), and the House of Representatives (the lower house).
The Federal Parliament is responsible for making laws for the whole of Australia. It has 226 members, with 76 in the Senate and 150 in the House of Representatives. The upper house, the Senate, consists of 76 members: twelve from each state and two from each of the self-governing territories. Senators are elected using a proportional system, resulting in a diverse range of parties within the chamber. The Senate has fixed terms, with half of the state senators' terms expiring every three years. On the other hand, the House of Representatives has a maximum term of three years and its members each represent a separate division or electorate in Australia.
The legislative process in Parliament occurs primarily in English, although other Australian parliaments have allowed the use of Indigenous languages with English translation. Any parliamentarian can propose a law (a bill), except for a money bill, which must be introduced in the House of Representatives. Most bills are introduced by ministers, but those introduced by other members are called private members' bills. For a bill to become a law, it must be passed by both houses and receive royal assent, which is expressed by the governor-general.
The Federal Parliament combines elements from the Westminster system, where the party with a majority in the lower house forms the government, and the United States Congress, which provides equal representation to each state and scrutinises legislation before it becomes law.
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State Parliaments
Australia has three levels of government: federal, state or territory, and local. The legislative arm of the Australian government is the Parliament of Australia, also known as the Federal Parliament. The Federal Parliament is responsible for making laws for the whole of Australia. It consists of the monarch of Australia (represented by the governor-general), the Senate (the upper house), and the House of Representatives (the lower house).
The Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory have a unicameral system, with one house called the Legislative Assembly. The leader of each territory government is called the Chief Minister. The Australian Capital Territory combines the responsibilities of both a local and state government.
State and territory governments have responsibilities in areas such as justice, consumer affairs, health, education, forestry, public transport, and main roads. They also establish local councils to look after the particular needs of their local communities. Local councils are the third level of government in Australia and are usually called city councils or shire councils. They consist of elected members, who typically serve four-year terms, and staff. On average, each council has nine elected members known as councillors or aldermen, and a chair or head called the mayor or president. These legislative bodies make by-laws and provide services for their local areas.
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Local Councils
Australia has three levels of government: federal, state or territory, and local. Local government is not mentioned in the Constitution of Australia, and two referendums in 1974 and 1988 to alter the Constitution relating to local government were unsuccessful. Local councils are established by state governments to look after the particular needs of a city or local community.
The Australian local government is generally run by a council, and its territory of public administration is referred to as the local government area or LGA. Each LGA encompasses multiple suburbs or localities, which are roughly equivalent to neighbourhoods and often have different postcodes. The term "municipality" occurs in some states with differing meanings. In New South Wales, it is typically used for older urban areas, while in South Australia, the word is used for some rural towns. Larger towns and small metropolitan centres in Queensland and Western Australia use the term "town", while in Victoria they are designated as "rural cities".
The council board members are generally known as councillors, and the head councillor is called the mayor or shire president. As of August 2016, there were 547 local councils in Australia, with around 55% being regional, rural, or remote councils. The local government workforce consists of around 190,800 people, 38% of whom are women.
The Australian Council of Local Government (ACLG) showcases the partnership between the Australian Government and local governments across Australia. The ACLG was first established in 2008 as a formal meeting between senior leaders of local government and the Australian Government.
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The House of Representatives
Members of the House of Representatives are elected for a maximum term of three years, although the Prime Minister can advise the Governor-General to call an election earlier. To be eligible to stand for election, a person must be an Australian citizen, at least 18 years of age, and enrolled to vote. Candidates may be endorsed by a political party or run as an independent. The party that wins the majority of seats in the House of Representatives typically forms the government, with their leader becoming the Prime Minister.
Another key role of the House is to scrutinize the government and hold it accountable. This is done through Question Time, which occurs daily when parliament is sitting, and allows members to ask questions of government ministers about their policies and actions. The House can also establish committees to inquire into specific issues, which may include public hearings, taking evidence from witnesses, and making recommendations to the government.
In summary, the Australian House of Representatives is an essential part of the country's legislative process, with powers to introduce and amend legislation, as well as holding the government to account. Its 151 members represent the diverse range of electorates across Australia, ensuring that the chamber reflects the will of the Australian people.
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The Senate
The Parliament of Australia, also known as the Federal Parliament, is the federal legislature of Australia. It consists of three elements: the monarch of Australia (represented by the governor-general), the Senate (the upper house), and the House of Representatives (the lower house).
In the Senate, the president is allowed to vote along with other senators to prevent a state from losing a vote. However, this right is rarely exercised, and in the case of a tie, the motion fails. Most legislation is introduced in the House of Representatives and must pass through several stages before becoming law.
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Frequently asked questions
The legislative arm of the Australian government is the Parliament of Australia, also known as the Federal Parliament. It consists of three elements: the monarch of Australia (represented by the governor-general), the Senate (the upper house), and the House of Representatives (the lower house).
The principal function of the Parliament of Australia is to pass laws, or legislation. Any parliamentarian can propose a law (a bill), except for a money bill, which must be introduced in the House of Representatives. Bills must be passed by both houses and assented to by the governor-general to become law.
The Australian Parliament has 226 members, with 76 in the Senate and 150 in the House of Representatives.
