The Federal Democracy of Australia

The Federal Democracy of Australia

Organization- Government can be distributed in three ways Unitary Federal Confederation Citizen Involvement- Citizens can participate in government in three ways Democracy Autocracy Oligarchy

Unitary -This is where the central(the main) government has all of the power. -There is a constitution that outlines the duties, powers, and the people of the central government. - They can create states or communities. - The central government can take back power at any time.

2. Confederation -This is a group of states or communities that come together and work on common problems. -It is normally formed by a treaty. - The members join voluntarily and are equals. - They have to meet before taking any action on an issue. -Australia is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. -The commonwealth is very weak association of countries that were once part of the British empire. Some of them recognize the Queen as their Head of State; others do not. The Commonwealth has no power to force any member to take an action that is does not want to take. The commonwealth works to promote trade and solutions to common problems among members.

3. Federal -This form of government has a constitution that explains the rights, responsibilities, and duties of the central government and the states. -The power is divided between the central government and lower governments, and power cannot be taken away by the central government. -Australia has a federal government. -In Australia there are 6 states and 2 territories. The six states represent the six British colonies that joined to create the commonwealth of Australia. Power is split between the central government and the states.

The constitution of Australia is the overriding law of the land. It spells out the rights, privileges, and duties given to each level of government. The Constitution spells out how national, state, and local governments will share power. The first constitution passed by the first states, gave the commonwealth the right to pass laws on certain subjects. It also allows the state to keep all other lawmaking rights. Division of Power: The federal government is responsible for such things as agreements with other countries and defense. The States are responsible for things such as education and state police.

1. Autocratic - There is a single ruler. - The ruler has unlimited power(dictator). - The citizens do not choose the ruler. - There are no elections and no citizen participation. 2. Oligarchic -The rule is by a small group of people. -The group only answers to each other. -The rulers are selected by the group. -There is no citizen participation or elections, only group members participate.

3. Democratic -The citizens rule the country. -The voters hold the power. -Any one can be elected as long as they are old enough and not in jail. - Any citizen can vote as long as they are a certain age and not in jail. -The citizens elect the people in charge. o In Australia, an elected government runs the country. Australians who are 18 years of age and older MUST vote in an election every four years. ofailure to vote can result in a fine and a hearing in court. ovoters elect members of Parliament and they represent the people s interests in making laws. othe MP s choose a Prime Minister(much like The U.K.) to lead the country. o The Prime Minister recommends a governor-general to the Queen. othe Queen Chooses a governor-general to perform duties as head of state and to represent her in Australia.

Prime Minister: Head of State: Queen Elizabeth II Governor-General: Quentin Bryce

THERE ARE TWO MAIN FORMS OF DEMOCRATIC GOVERNMENTS 1. Parliamentary - This is the most common in Europe and is the form in Australia -Head of State no real power, ceremonial duties and is a symbol(queen of England) -Prime Minister Responsible for the day-to-day operations of the country. This is the chief executive.

Form of Leadership: Power is mostly shared between states and federal government. Any land within Australia s national border that is not claimed by the states, is called a Territory. Territories cannot convene their own government or pass laws. The commonwealth makes the laws for the territories. Executive: Queen Elizabeth II is the Head of State but she does not live there and cannot run the country. She can sign laws and is the commander-in-chief of the army, navy, and air force. However, the governor-general usually fulfills these roles in Australia The Prime Minister is the head of government and most powerful. Is the leader of the largest political party in the commonwealth of Australia.

MP s are elected to sit on the Parliament in Canberra every four years by the citizens. Parliament makes laws! There are two houses: House of Representatives: Australia is divided into areas called Electorates. Each electorate has the same number of people living in it. The people living in the electorate vote for a person to represent them. There is one seat in the House for each electorate. Senate: The state, the Northern territory and the Australian Capital Territory elect twelve people to be their senators. The number is the same no matter the size of the state.

After the election, the political party who wins the most seats in the House of Representatives becomes the government. The majority party leader becomes Prime Minister. The party with the 2 nd highest number of seats in the House, is called the Opposition. The party s leader is labeled the the leader of the opposition o When parliament suggests a law it is called a bill. o The house votes to pass or deny the bill..if it passes, it goes to the Senate. If the Senate passes the bill, it becomes an act of Parliament. The governor-general signs the act and it becomes a law.

As said before, Australian citizens MUST vote. Citizens do not vote for the Head of State. Australians enjoy many freedoms. They have the freedom of speech and religion. They have the freedom to travel around the country or other countries. Freedoms look similar to that of the United Kingdom and the United States.

The people of Australia The Australian Constitution Legislative Branch Commonwealth Parliament (makes Laws Senate (elected by the People) House of Rep. (elected by the people) Governor General (represents the Queen in Aus.) Appointed by the Queen on Recommendation of the Prime Minister Queen Leader of the main political party becomes Prime Minister Head of State Executive Branch Head of Government Prime Minister (administers of laws made by Parliament Leader of Cabinet, Ministers Judicial Branch High Court of Australia interprets law (appointed by the Prime Minister)

Similarities of Presidential and Parliamentary Citizens elect lawmakers Leader heads the military and runs the government Differences of Presidential and parliamentary Prime Minister is the leader in Parliamentary and President is leader in Presidential. Parliament is the law making body and legislature is the law making body(not the President) in a Presidential system. Parliament elects the Prime Minister and people elect the President. Head of State has little power and President has a lot. Prime minister can dissolve Parliament and the President cannot get rid of Congress.