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Australia’s Government. Australia’s Government. Australia has a federal parliamentary democracy. There are three key factors that determine Australia’s government: form of leadership type of legislature role of the citizen. Form of Leadership. Queen Elizabeth II is the head of state
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Australia’s Government • Australia has a federal parliamentary democracy. • There are three key factors that determine Australia’s government: • form of leadership • type of legislature • role of the citizen
Form of Leadership Queen Elizabeth II is the head of state • She does not run the country, but she signs laws, approves elections, and is commander-in-chief of the military Theprime ministeris the head of the government & has the most political power (Julia Gillard) • The prime minister recommends someone to represent the Queen in Australia—the governor-general
Type of Legislature • An elected government operates the country. • Every 4 years, citizens who are over 18 vote for members of parliament. • Parliament meets several times a year and makes laws that affect how Australians live. • There are 2 houses of the Commonwealth Parliament: • House of Representatives • Senate
Type of Legislature • House of Representatives: Australia is divided into electorates; people living in each electorate vote for a person to represent them in parliament. • elected person becomes the MP of the House of Representatives for that area • Senate: people from each state and the 2 territories elect 12 people to be their senators
Role of the Citizen • Parliamentary Democracy: voters choose the lawmakers • Everyone, 18 or over, is required by lawto vote. • Citizens can be fined or go to court if they don’t vote. • Citizens vote for MPs -- the leader of the party that gets the most votes becomes the prime minister. • Voters do not vote for the head of state (Queen), the governor-general, or directly for the prime minister.
Role of the Citizen • Australians enjoy many freedoms. • freedom of religion, speech, job choice, travel, etc. • They can vote for the leaders that make laws and lead the country. • Their level of freedom is similar to what people have in the United Kingdom & the United States.