Our Common Bond study notes · Part 3: Government and the law in Australia
Parliament, Elections and the Three Levels of Government
This chapter covers how you have your say as a citizen and how the Australian Government is formed and makes laws.
Key facts for the test
- •Voting is compulsory and secret; the AEC is independent
- •Senate: 76 senators, 12 per state and 2 per mainland territory
- •The government is formed by the majority in the House of Representatives
- •A proposed law is a Bill; it becomes law with Royal Assent
- •Federal: immigration and defence; state: schools and hospitals; local: rubbish and parks
Voting and having your say
Citizens aged 18 or over must enrol and vote in federal, state and territory elections and in referendums. The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) runs federal elections and referendums, keeps the electoral roll and is independent of the government. Voting is by secret ballot. If you do not vote without a good reason, you may be fined. You can also contact your elected representative to raise concerns about a law or policy.
The two Houses of Parliament
The House of Representatives, also called the Lower House or People's House, has over 150 members elected by federal electorates; the number of members per state depends on its population. The Senate, also called the Upper House, House of Review or States' House, has 76 senators: 12 for each state and 2 each for the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory. Both Houses debate and vote on new laws.
Forming the government and making laws
After a federal election, the party or coalition with the majority in the House of Representatives forms the government and its leader becomes Prime Minister. The second largest group forms the Opposition, led by the Leader of the Opposition. The Governor-General approves the Prime Minister and ministers, and the most senior ministers form the Cabinet. A proposed law is called a Bill. If a majority in each House agrees, the Governor-General signs it into law (Royal Assent). The main political parties are the Liberal Party of Australia, the Australian Labor Party, the Nationals and the Australian Greens; members without a party are called independents.
Three levels of government
The Australian Government is responsible for areas such as taxation, immigration and citizenship, defence, foreign affairs, social security, trade, postal services and airports. State and territory governments are mainly responsible for hospitals, schools, roads and railways, police and ambulance services and public transport. Local councils look after local roads and footpaths, parks and pools, rubbish collection, libraries, building permits and animal control.
Summarised in our own words from Australian Citizenship: Our Common Bond, Department of Home Affairs, licensed under CC BY 4.0. This is not an official publication.
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