Oceania And Pacific Politics Questions Medium
The political system of Australia is a federal parliamentary constitutional monarchy. It is based on the principles of democracy, with power divided between the federal government and the six states and two territories.
At the federal level, Australia has a bicameral parliament consisting of the House of Representatives and the Senate. The House of Representatives has 151 members, known as Members of Parliament (MPs), who are elected by the public through a preferential voting system. The Senate has 76 members, with each state electing 12 senators and the two territories electing two senators each. Senators are elected through a proportional representation system.
The head of state in Australia is the monarch of the United Kingdom, currently Queen Elizabeth II, who is represented by the Governor-General at the federal level and by Governors at the state level. However, the monarch's role is largely ceremonial, and the Governor-General acts on the advice of the elected government.
The executive power is held by the Prime Minister, who is the leader of the political party or coalition that holds the majority of seats in the House of Representatives. The Prime Minister is appointed by the Governor-General and is responsible for forming the government and making policy decisions.
The political parties play a crucial role in the Australian political system. The two major parties are the Australian Labor Party (ALP) and the Liberal Party of Australia, along with its coalition partner, the National Party of Australia. Other significant parties include the Australian Greens and various minor parties and independents.
Australia follows the Westminster system, which means that the government is formed by the party or coalition that has the majority of seats in the House of Representatives. The Prime Minister and the Cabinet are accountable to the Parliament, and the government's policies and decisions are subject to scrutiny and debate.
The political system of Australia also includes a strong emphasis on the rule of law, with an independent judiciary that interprets and applies the law. The High Court of Australia is the highest court in the country and has the power of judicial review.
Overall, the political system of Australia is characterized by a representative democracy, with a separation of powers between the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government. It provides for regular elections, freedom of speech, and a robust system of checks and balances.