Australia: Government
Key Figures
- Chief of State:
- King Charles III represented by Governor General Samantha Mostyn
- Head of Government:
- Prime Minister Anthony Albanese
Overview
- Government Name:
- Commonwealth of Australia
- Constitution:
- Formed: 1901; Constitution provides for the commonwealth government's legislative powers and allocates certain powers and responsibilities to the commonwealth government. All responsibilities remaining are retained by previously separate colonies, referred to as the six states. Each state has its own constitution, so Australia itself has seven sovereign parliaments which cannot impede with the functions of another.
- Government Type:
- Federal Parlimentary Democracy and a Commonwealth Realm
Index of Economic Freedom
Country Risk Rating
Government Branches
| Main Powers | Election Process | Election Cycle 1 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Executive | The king is the figure head for the government and also appoints the governor-general and prime minister. The governor-general represents the king, makes and receives state visits, and rarely exercises reserve powers similar to those of the king in the UK. The prime minister has the discretion to advise the governor-general to call an election for the house of representatives at any time, but senate elections can only be held within certain periods prescribed in the constitution. |
The king is hereditary. The governor-general is appointed by the king. The prime minister is appointed by the governor-general having been judged by the governor-general to be capable of commanding the support of a majority of members of the house of representatives. |
Governor-General: at His Majesty's pleasure; Prime Minister: at His Majesty's pleasure |
| Judicial | Judicial high courts arbitrate on any disputes that arise between the commonwealth and the states or among the states in terms of their specific function. The high courts have judicial review over laws passed by both the commonwealth and states' parliaments. |
The high courts vice-regal is appointment upon nomination by the prime minister who follows the advice of the attorney-general and cabinet. The chamber of deputies are elected by people of each district using proportional representation, the D'Hondt formula with a 3% of the district registered voters threshold. |
Mandatory retirement age of 70 |
| Legislative | Senate powers are equal to those of the house of representatives except that it cannot introduce or amend proposed laws that authorize expenditure for the ordinary annual services of the government or that impose taxation. They may request that the house of representatives make amendments to financial legislation and it can refuse to pass any bill. The house of representatives determines the government, debates and passes laws, watches over government administration and expenditure, and provides a forum for public debate on issues of national importance. |
The senate has 76 members who are elected through a single transferable vote (STV) proportional representation system. The house of representatives has 150 members who are elected through an alternative voting system. |
Senate: 6 years; House of Representatives: 3 years |
Regional Trade Blocs
International Organization Participation [2]
Environmental Agreements [3]
Tax Information [2]
- Tax Authority:
- Australian Taxation Office
- Tax Name:
- GST
Sources:
- ElectionGuide http://www.electionguide.org/
- EY, http://www.ey.com
- CIA World Factbook, https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/
- U.S. Bilateral Relations Fact Sheets http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/