Administrative and political system
Australia became an independent nation on 1 January 1901. Australia is a parliamentary democracy and is a part of the British Commonwealth. Under the Constitution, the reigning British monarch is also the Australian one and therefore Australia's Head of State. The Constitution grants the monarch - currently Queen Elizabeth II - certain governing powers that place them above all other levels of the government. Because of the large distance between Australia and Britain, the monarch is permitted to appoint a Governor-General who can exercise the monarch's powers in their absence.
Legislation is performed through bicameral parliament: the Senate is of the six-year cadency and the House of Representatives is of the three-year term.
In Australia, power is divided between the Commonwealth Government and the governments of the six colonies, which were renamed 'states' by the Constitution.
There are six states in Australia: New South Wales (NSW), Queensland (Qld), South Australia (SA), Tasmania (Tas), Victoria (Vic) and Western Australia (WA).
Australia is a federal monarchy divided into 6 states and 2 federal territories:
|
Administration unit
|
Capital | Area (sq mi) | Population (th) |
|---|---|---|---|
| STATES | |||
| South Australia | Adelaide | 984 377 | 1 588,5 |
| Western Australia | Perth | 2 529 880 | 2 118,5 |
| New South Walia | Sydney | 800 628 | 6 908,9 |
| Queensland | Brisbane | 1 734 157 | 4 201,1 |
| Tasmania | Hobart | 68 102 | 494,5 |
| Viktoria | Melbourne | 227 600 | 5 226,4 |
| TERRITORIES | |||
| Australian Capital Territory | Canberra | 2 360 | 340,3 |
| Northen Territory | Darwin | 1 346 200 | 216,5 |
Each state has its own state Constitution, which divides the state's government into the same divisions of legislature, executive, and judiciary as the Commonwealth Government.
The six state parliaments are permitted to pass laws related to any matter that is not controlled by the Commonwealth under Section 51 of the Australian Constitution.
The monarch's powers over state matters are exercised by a Governor in each state. The head of each state government is known as the Premier.
Australia possess overseas territories:
- Ashmore and Cartier’s Islands
- Christmas Island
- Heard and McDonald’s Island
- Coconut Island (Keeling’s Island)
- Coral Sea Islands
- Norfolk Island
- Australian Antarctic Territory
Australian National Day falls on January 26.
Participation in international organizations:
Australia is a member od the United Nations, the British Commonwealth, G20, OECD, ANZUS, APEC, Pacific Islands Forum and WTO
Useful websites
- Governor General of Australia - www.gg.gov.au
- Prime Minister of Australia - www.pm.gov.au/
- Parliament of Australia - www.aph.gov.au
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