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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

====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====

When the non-Labor parties have been in power, the Prime Minister has made all Cabinet and ministerial appointments. When the [[Liberal Party of Australia|Liberal Party]] and its predecessors (the [[Nationalist Party of Australia|Nationalist Party]] and the [[United Australia Party]]) have been in coalition with the [[National Party of Australia|National Party]] or its predecessor the [[National Party of Australia|Country Party]], the leader of the junior Coalition party has had the right decide his party's members of the Coalition ministry, and to work with the Prime Minister to give them their responsibilities.

When the non-Labor parties have been in power, the Prime Minister has made all Cabinet and ministerial appointments. When the [[Liberal Party of Australia|Liberal Party]] and its predecessors (the [[Nationalist Party of Australia|Nationalist Party]] and the [[United Australia Party]]) have been in coalition with the [[National Party of Australia|National Party]] or its predecessor the [[National Party of Australia|Country Party]], the leader of the junior Coalition party has had the right decide his party's members of the Coalition ministry, and to work with the Prime Minister to give them their responsibilities.

When the [[Australian Labor Party|Labor]] first held office under [[Chris Watson]], Watson used the right to choose members of his Cabinet. In 1907, however, the party decided that future Labor Cabinets would be elected by the members of the Parliamentary Labor Party, the [[Caucus]]. The Prime Minister would allocate their responsibilities. The Labor Prime Ministers had a lot of influence over who was elected to Labor ministries, although the leaders small groups inside the party also had a lot of power. Prior to the [[Australian general election, 2007|2007 general election]], [[Kevin Rudd]], said that he and he alone would choose the ministry if he become Prime Minister. His party won the election and he chose the ministry, as he said he would.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/09/29/2046939.htm |title=Rudd seizes power from factions |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |date=2007-09-11 |first=Ben |last=Worsley}}</ref>

When the [[Australian Labor Party|Labor]] first held office under [[Chris Watson]], Watson used the right to choose members of his Cabinet. In 1907, however, the party decided that future Labor Cabinets would be elected by the members of the Parliamentary Labor Party, the [[Caucus]]. The Prime Minister would allocate their responsibilities. The Labor Prime Ministers had a lot of influence over who was elected to Labor ministries, although the leaders small groups inside the party also had a lot of power. Prior to the [[Australian general election, 2007|2007 general election]], [[Kevin Rudd]], said that he and he alone would choose the ministry if he become Prime Minister. His party won the election and he chose the ministry, as he said he would.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/09/29/2046939.htm |title=Rudd seizes power from factions |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |date=2007-09-11 |first=Ben |last=Worsley}}</ref>

The cabinet meets not only in Canberra but also in other Australian state capitals, most often [[Sydney]] and [[Melbourne]]. Kevin Rudd said he wanted the Cabinet to meet in other places, such as major regional cities.<ref>{{cite news |title=Cutting bureaucracy won't hurt services: Rudd |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/11/21/2097424.htm |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |work=News Online |date=2007-11-21 |accessdate=2007-11-28}}</ref> The [[Commonwealth Parliament Offices, Sydney|Commonwealth Parliament Offices]] in Sydney are located in [[Phillip Street, Sydney|Phillip Street]].

The cabinet meets not only in Canberra but also in other Australian state capitals, most often [[Sydney]] and [[Melbourne]]. Kevin Rudd said he wanted the Cabinet to meet in other places, such as major regional cities.<ref>{{cite news |title=Cutting bureaucracy won't hurt services: Rudd |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/11/21/2097424.htm |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |work=News Online |date=2007-11-21 |accessdate=2007-11-28}}</ref> The [[Commonwealth Parliament Offices, Sydney|Commonwealth Parliament Offices]] in Sydney are located in [[Phillip Street, Sydney|Phillip Street]].

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]]

{{Government by country}}

{{Government by country}}

{{authority control}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Government of Australia| ]]

[[Category:Government of Australia| ]]