Australia’s Government

Unit 10 Notes

Government Systems & Types

A Brief Review…

Government Systems --Whose Got the Power?

Unitary--power is held by one central authorityConfederation--association of independent states that agree to certain limitations on their freedoms by joining togetherFederal--power is divided between central authority & several regional authorities

Which system does Australia have?

Government Types --How Do Citizens Participate?Autocratic-- 1 person possesses unlimited power & citizens have limited role in governmentOligarchic-- small group exercises control & citizens have limited role in government Democratic--supreme power is vested in the people & exercised by them directly or indirectly though a system of representation involving free elections

Which type does Australia have?

Two Types of Democratic Governments

Parliamentary-- a system of government having the real executive power vested in a cabinet composed of members of the legislature who elect the leader

Leader works with or through the legislature

Presidential--system of government in which the leader is constitutionally independent of the legislature

Leader works separate from legislature

*Which type of democracy does Australia have?

Australia’s Government

Federation (federal system)

Parliamentary Democracy

Constitutional Monarchy

Leadership

1. Head of State: Monarch of the United Kingdom (presently, Queen Elizabeth II); little political power

2. Governor General: stands in for the monarch

3. Prime Minister: holds the most political power; works closely with the legislature

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

Her Excellency The Right Honorable

Quentin Bryce(Governor General)

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

The Right Honorable Kevin Rudd

(Prime Minister)

How the Leader is Chosen…

Governor General: appointed by the monarch on the advice of the Prime Minister; serves a 5 year term

Prime Minister: is the leader of the majority party in the House of Commons; indirectly elected by the people

Legislature: Parliament1. Senate (76 seats): there are 12 members

from each state and 2 from each territory.• State senators are elected every 6 years and

territory senators every 3 years.

2. House of Representatives (152 seats): members are directly elected by the people

• largest political party in the House elects the Prime Minister

Role of Citizen in Government

Citizens must be 18 to vote

If you do not vote you must pay a fine