Australian High Commission

New Zealand

High Commission address: 72-76 Hobson Street, Thorndon, Wellington - Telephone: +64 (0)4 473 6411 - Fax: +64 (0)4 498 7135

Australia's Political System

Australia is a federation of six states and two territories. When the colonies joined to form the Commonwealth of Australia in 1901, a written constitution outlined the responsibilities of the federal government.

The federal government is chiefly responsible for the national economy and Reserve Bank, customs and excise, immigration, defence, foreign policy and the postal system. The state governments are mainly responsible for health, education, housing, transport and justice. There are both Federal and State police forces.

The parliamentary systems at both federal and state level are mostly similar, and are based on the UK's Westminster system.

The federal parliament and all of those of the states, except Queensland, have two houses of Parliament in what is called a bicameral system.

Related weblinks

• For more information about Australia's political system, visit the Prime Minister's website - http://www.pm.gov.au/aus_in_focus/government/index.html
• Or read about the system at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade website - http://www.dfat.gov.au/facts/sys_gov.html
• Visit Parliament of Australia website to find detailed information -
http://www.aph.gov.au
• Read the Australian Constitution here -
http://www.pm.gov.au/aus_in_focus/constitution/index.html
• Learn about Australia's electoral history at the Australian Electoral Commission -
http://www.aec.gov.au/_content/when/history/index.htm