Changes

* the other arms cannot influence the Judiciary

* the other arms cannot influence the Judiciary

Before the [[Australia Act 1986]], and matching legislation in the parliament of the United Kingdom, some Australian cases could be sent to the [[Judicial Committee of the Privy Council]] for final appeal. Australian law is now only decided on in Australia, and the [[High Court of Australia]] is the highest court of appeal. The possibility of the British Parliament making laws to overturn the Australian Constitution was also removed.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/cth/consol_act/aa1986114/index.html#s1 |title=Australia Act 1986 |publisher=Commonwealth of Australia |work=Office of Legislative Drafting, Attorney-General’s Department}}</ref>

Before the [[Australia Act 1986]], and matching legislation in the parliament of the United Kingdom, some Australian cases could be sent to the [[Judicial Committee of the Privy Council]] for final [[appeal]]. Australian law is now only decided on in Australia, and the [[High Court of Australia]] is the highest court of appeal. The possibility of the British Parliament making laws to overturn the Australian Constitution was also removed.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/cth/consol_act/aa1986114/index.html#s1 |title=Australia Act 1986 |publisher=Commonwealth of Australia |work=Office of Legislative Drafting, Attorney-General’s Department}}</ref>

== Legislature ==

== Legislature ==

{{main|Parliament of Australia}}

{{main|Parliament of Australia}}

There are also two senators elected by voters from the [[Northern Territory]] (and including the Indian Ocean Territories, [[Christmas Island]] and the [[Cocos (Keeling) Islands]]). Another two senators are elected by the voters of the [[Australian Capital Territory]] (including the [[Jervis Bay Territory]]). Senators from the territories are also elected using preferential voting, however, their term of office is not fixed: it starts on the day of a general election for the House of Representatives and ends the day before the next such election day.

There are also two senators elected by voters from the [[Northern Territory]] (and including the Indian Ocean Territories, [[Christmas Island]] and the [[Cocos (Keeling) Islands]]). Another two senators are elected by the voters of the [[Australian Capital Territory]] (including the [[Jervis Bay Territory]]). Senators from the territories are also elected using preferential voting, however, their term of office is not fixed: it starts on the day of a general election for the House of Representatives and ends the day before the next such election day.

The members of the House of Representatives are elected by preferential voting from single-member areas spread among the states and territories roughly in proportion to population. In ordinary legislation, the two chambers have the same powers, but all laws for spending money or charging taxes must come from the House of Representatives. In the [[Westminster system]], the leader of the political party or group of parties that holds the support of a majority of the members in the House of Representatives is asked to form a government and is named [[Prime Minister of Australia|Prime Minister]].

The members of the House of Representatives are elected by preferential voting from single-member areas spread among the states and territories roughly in proportion to population. In ordinary legislation, the two chambers have the same powers, but all laws for spending money or charging taxes must come from the House of Representatives. In the [[Westminster system]], the leader of the [[political party]] or group of parties that holds the support of a majority of the members in the House of Representatives is asked to form a government and is named [[Prime Minister of Australia|Prime Minister]].

The Prime Minister and the Cabinet are responsible to the Parliament, of which they must be members. General elections are held at least once every three years. The Prime Minister can 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 set out in the Constitution. The most recent general election was on [[Australian federal election, 2010|21 August 2010]].

The Prime Minister and the Cabinet are responsible to the Parliament, of which they must be members. General elections are held at least once every three years. The Prime Minister can 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 set out in the Constitution. The most recent general election was on [[Australian federal election, 2010|21 August 2010]].

== Head of state ==

== Head of state ==

The [[Constitution of Australia|Australian Constitution]] was written in 1901, when the [[British Dominions|Dominions]] of the [[British Empire]] were not independent countries, and does not use the words "head of state". In practice, the role of head of state of Australia is divided between two people, the [[Queen of Australia]] and the [[Governor-General of Australia]]. The Governor- General is appointed by the Queen on the advice of the [[Prime Minister of Australia]]. Though in many respects the Governor-General is the Queen's representative, and exercises various constitutional powers in her name, they are also independently vested with many important constitutional powers by the Constitution.

The [[Constitution of Australia|Australian Constitution]] was written in 1901, when the [[British Dominions|Dominions]] of the [[British Empire]] were not independent countries, and does not use the words "[[head of state]]". In practice, the role of head of state of Australia is divided between two people, the [[Queen of Australia]] and the [[Governor-General of Australia]]. The Governor- General is appointed by the Queen on the advice of the [[Prime Minister of Australia]]. Though in many respects the Governor-General is the Queen's representative, and exercises various constitutional powers in her name, they are also independently vested with many important constitutional powers by the Constitution.

The [[Sovereign]] of Australia is currently [[Elizabeth II|Queen Elizabeth II]]. She is also the Sovereign of fifteen other [[Commonwealth Realm]]s including the United Kingdom. Like the other [[British Dominions|Dominions]], Australia gained legislative independence from the [[Parliament of the United Kingdom]] through the [[Statute of Westminster 1931]]. This came into force in Australia in 1942, but back dated to 3 September 1939. With the [[Royal Style and Titles Act 1953]], the Australian Parliament gave the Queen the title [[Queen of Australia]]. In 1973 her Australian title no longer included her status as Queen of the United Kingdom and [[Defender of the Faith]].

The [[Sovereign]] of Australia is currently [[Elizabeth II|Queen Elizabeth II]]. She is also the Sovereign of fifteen other [[Commonwealth Realm]]s including the United Kingdom. Like the other [[British Dominions|Dominions]], Australia gained legislative independence from the [[Parliament of the United Kingdom]] through the [[Statute of Westminster 1931]]. This came into force in Australia in 1942, but back dated to 3 September 1939. With the [[Royal Style and Titles Act 1953]], the Australian Parliament gave the Queen the title [[Queen of Australia]]. In 1973 her Australian title no longer included her status as Queen of the United Kingdom and [[Defender of the Faith]].