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The [[Australia|Commonwealth of Australia]] is a [[federation|federal]] [[constitutional monarchy]] with a [[parliamentary democracy]]. The Commonwealth of Australia was formed in 1901 when the six self-governing [[British Empire|British colonies]], agreed to join together as one nation. These colonies became the six states of Australia. The written agreement is the [[Constitution of Australia|Australian Constitution]]. This was written at a [[Constitutional Convention (Australia)|Constitutional Convention]] and voted for by the people of the colonies.

The [[Australia|Commonwealth of Australia]] is a [[federation|federal]] [[constitutional monarchy]] with a [[parliamentary democracy]]. The Commonwealth of Australia was formed in 1901 when the six self-governing [[British Empire|British colonies]], agreed to join together as one nation. These colonies became the six states of Australia. The written agreement is the [[Constitution of Australia|Australian Constitution]]. This was written at a [[Constitutional Convention (Australia)|Constitutional Convention]] and voted for by the people of the colonies.  

The way the Australian Government is organized can be looked at in two ways. The first is [[federalism]] which organizes the way powers are distributed between the Australian Government and the state governments. The second is [[separation of powers]] into legislative, executive and judiciary branches of government. The Constitution supports the separation of powers in the way it sets out the roles of the branches of government.

The way the Australian Government is organized can be looked at in two ways. The first is [[federalism]] which organizes the way powers are distributed between the Australian Government and the state governments. The second is [[separation of powers]] into legislative, executive and judiciary branches of government. The Constitution supports the separation of powers in the way it sets out the roles of the branches of government.  

== The Federal Government ==

== The Federal Government ==

The ''[[Separation of powers]]'' is the principle whereby the three arms of government do their activities separate from each other:

The ''[[Separation of powers]]'' is the principle whereby the three arms of government do their activities separate from each other:

* the Legislature proposes laws in the form of Bills. It sets up legal framework for the work of the other two arms. The Sovereign is formally a part of the Parliament, but takes no active role in these matters.

* the Legislature proposes laws in the form of Bills. It sets up legal framework for the work of the other two arms. The Sovereign is formally a part of the Parliament, but takes no active role in these matters.

* the Executive passes the laws by Royal Assent, administers the laws and carries out the tasks assigned to it by legislation

* the Executive passes the laws by Royal Assent, administers the laws and carries out the tasks assigned to it by legislation

The question of whether the Queen is Australia's head of state became a political one during the [[Australian republic referendum, 1999|1999 Australian republic referendum]], when opponents of the move to make Australia a republic claimed that Australia already had an Australian as head of state in the person of the Governor-General, who since 1965 has invariably been an Australian citizen. The former Governor-General, [[Michael Jeffery|Major General Michael Jeffery]], said in 2004: "Her Majesty is Australia's head of state but I am her representative and to all intents and purposes I carry out the full role." However, in 2005, he declined to name the Queen as head of state, instead saying in response to a direct question, "The Queen is the Monarch and I represent her, and I carry out all the functions of head of state."<ref>{{cite press release

The question of whether the Queen is Australia's head of state became a political one during the [[Australian republic referendum, 1999|1999 Australian republic referendum]], when opponents of the move to make Australia a republic claimed that Australia already had an Australian as head of state in the person of the Governor-General, who since 1965 has invariably been an Australian citizen. The former Governor-General, [[Michael Jeffery|Major General Michael Jeffery]], said in 2004: "Her Majesty is Australia's head of state but I am her representative and to all intents and purposes I carry out the full role." However, in 2005, he declined to name the Queen as head of state, instead saying in response to a direct question, "The Queen is the Monarch and I represent her, and I carry out all the functions of head of state."<ref>{{cite press release

| title = The Governor-General is Interviewed by Greg Turnbull on the Ten Network's Meet The Press | publisher = Office of the Governor-General | date =2005-05-29 | url = http://www.gg.gov.au/governorgeneral/news.php?action=view&id=40 | accessdate = 2007-01-18}}</ref> The Governor-General represents Australia internationally, making and receiving State visits.<ref>{{cite press release | title = Media Release by the Prime Minister - Major General Jeffery as Australia's 24th Governor-General | publisher = Office of the Governor-General | date = 2006-06-16 | url = http://www.gg.gov.au/governorgeneral/news.php?action=view&id=15 | accessdate = 2007-01-18 }} {{dead link|date=July 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite press release | title = Statement by the Governor-General - State Visit to China | publisher = Office of the Governor-General | date = 2005-10-07 | url = http://www.gg.gov.au/governorgeneral/news.php?action=view&id=34 | accessdate = 2007-01-18}} {{dead link|date=July 2012}}</ref>

| title = The Governor-General is Interviewed by Greg Turnbull on the Ten Network's Meet The Press | publisher = Office of the Governor-General | date =2005-05-29 | url = http://www.gg.gov.au/governorgeneral/news.php?action=view&id=40 | accessdate = 2007-01-18}}</ref> The Governor-General represents Australia internationally, making and receiving State visits.<ref>{{cite press release | title = Media Release by the Prime Minister - Major General Jeffery as Australia's 24th Governor-General | publisher = Office of the Governor-General | date = 2006-06-16 | url = http://www.gg.gov.au/governorgeneral/news.php?action=view&id=15 | accessdate = 2007-01-18 | archivedate = 2009-10-03 | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20091003134702/http://www.gg.gov.au/governorgeneral/news.php?action=view&id=15 }}</ref><ref>{{cite press release | title = Statement by the Governor-General - State Visit to China | publisher = Office of the Governor-General | date = 2005-10-07 | url = http://www.gg.gov.au/governorgeneral/news.php?action=view&id=34 | accessdate = 2007-01-18 | archivedate = 2007-08-29 | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20070829051959/http://www.gg.gov.au/governorgeneral/news.php?action=view&id=34 }}</ref>

In 2009 Prime Minister [[Kevin Rudd]] called the Governor-General the Australian head of state. He said an overseas visit by Quentin Bryce "...to Africa of this scale by Australia's Head of State will express the seriousness of Australia's commitment".<ref>{{cite press release | title = Governor-General's Visit to Africa | publisher = Prime Minister of Australia | date = 6 March 2009 | url = http://www.pm.gov.au/node/5270 | accessdate = 30 November 2009 }} {{dead link|date=July 2012}}</ref>

In 2009 Prime Minister [[Kevin Rudd]] called the Governor-General the Australian head of state. He said an overseas visit by Quentin Bryce "...to Africa of this scale by Australia's Head of State will express the seriousness of Australia's commitment".<ref>{{cite press release | title = Governor-General's Visit to Africa | publisher = Prime Minister of Australia | date = 6 March 2009 | url = http://www.pm.gov.au/node/5270 | accessdate = 30 November 2009 | archivedate = 7 July 2018 | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20180707144129/http://www.pm.gov.au/node/5270 }}</ref>

Under the [[Westminster system]] the Governor-General's powers are almost always used on the advice of the Prime Minister or other ministers. The Governor-General retains [[reserve powers]] similar to those possessed by the Queen in the United Kingdom. These are rarely exercised, but during the [[1975 Australian constitutional crisis|Australian constitutional crisis of 1975]] Governor-General Sir [[John Kerr (Governor-General)|John Kerr]] used them independently of the Queen and the Prime Minister.

Under the [[Westminster system]] the Governor-General's powers are almost always used on the advice of the Prime Minister or other ministers. The Governor-General retains [[reserve powers]] similar to those possessed by the Queen in the United Kingdom. These are rarely exercised, but during the [[1975 Australian constitutional crisis|Australian constitutional crisis of 1975]] Governor-General Sir [[John Kerr (Governor-General)|John Kerr]] used them independently of the Queen and the Prime Minister.

====Executive Council====

====Executive Council====

The Federal Executive Council consists of the Governor-General, the Prime Minister and Ministers. It is a formal body which exists to give legal effect to decisions made by the Cabinet, and to carry out various other functions. Members of the Executive Council are entitled to be styled "[[The Honourable]]", a title which they retain for life. The Governor-General usually [[President of the Executive Council|presides]] at Council meetings, but a Minister with the title [[Vice-President of the Executive Council]] serves as the link between the government and the Council.

The Federal Executive Council consists of the Governor-General, the Prime Minister and Ministers. It is a formal body which exists to give legal effect to decisions made by the Cabinet, and to carry out various other functions. Members of the Executive Council are entitled to be styled "[[The Honourable]]", a title which they retain for life. The Governor-General usually [[President of the Executive Council|presides]] at Council meetings, but a Minister with the title [[Vice-President of the Executive Council]] serves as the link between the government and the Council.

====Cabinet====

====Cabinet====

The [[Constitution of Australia]] does not mention the [[Cabinet (government)|Cabinet]], and its decisions have no legal force. All members of the ministry must be sworn as members of the [[Federal Executive Council]]. This council is chaired by the Governor-General and which meets solely to approve and give legal force to decisions already made by the Cabinet. That is why there is always a member of the ministry holding the title [[Vice-President of the Executive Council]].

The [[Constitution of Australia]] does not mention the [[Cabinet (government)|Cabinet]], and its decisions have no legal force. All members of the ministry must be sworn as members of the [[Federal Executive Council]]. This council is chaired by the Governor-General and which meets solely to approve and give legal force to decisions already made by the Cabinet. That is why there is always a member of the ministry holding the title [[Vice-President of the Executive Council]].

====Caretaker governments====

====Caretaker governments====

There are times when the government acts in a "caretaker" capacity, principally in the period prior to and immediately following a general election.

There are times when the government acts in a "caretaker" capacity, principally in the period prior to and immediately following a general election.

===Judiciary===

===Judiciary===

The Judiciary interprets the laws, using as a basis the laws as enacted and what was said in the Legislature while the laws were being passed.

The Judiciary interprets the laws, using as a basis the laws as enacted and what was said in the Legislature while the laws were being passed.

* [[High Court of Australia]]

* [[High Court of Australia]]

* [[Federal Court of Australia]]

* [[Federal Court of Australia]]

* [http://www.treasury.gov.au/ The Treasury]

* [http://www.treasury.gov.au/ The Treasury]

* [http://www.dva.gov.au/ Department of Veterans' Affairs]

* [http://www.dva.gov.au/ Department of Veterans' Affairs]

[[Category:Government of Australia| ]]

[[Category:Government of Australia| ]]