Australia Politics

Intro: Different Perspectives A basic commitment to difference A basic commitment to difference different interpretations of the world and life different interpretations of the world and life Objectivity through understanding and respect of difference Objectivity through understanding and respect of difference Pluralist theory of power Pluralist theory of power

Australian Political System “ Washminster ” form of polity “ Washminster ” form of polity Federation, 3-tier + Prime Minister (Governor- General, the Cabinet … ) Federation, 3-tier + Prime Minister (Governor- General, the Cabinet … ) “ Federal parliamentary democracy ” “ Federal parliamentary democracy ” Constitution (1901) — British Parliamentary tradition + elements of the US system Constitution (1901) — British Parliamentary tradition + elements of the US system

Federal Government Legislature Legislature bicameral parliament – the House of Representatives + the Senate bicameral parliament – the House of Representatives + the Senate power of each power of each election and term election and term solution of disagreement solution of disagreement

Executive Executive Governor-General Governor-General Federal Executive Council Federal Executive Council ministers and the prime minister (the Cabinet) ministers and the prime minister (the Cabinet) appointment of the prime minister appointment of the prime minister

The Hon John Howard MP Former Prime Minister

Hu Jintao Meets with Former Australian Governor-General Michael Jeffery

Australia's Former Governor-General Michael Jeffery

Her Excellency Ms Quentin Bryce, AC Governor- General of the Commonwealth of Australia

AC –companion of the Order of Australia （ 澳大利亚勋章 ）（ 澳大利亚所独有的显职封号 ）

Kevin Michael Rudd ( 陆克文 ) was sworn in as the 26th Prime Minister of Australia on 3 December 2007.

Judiciary Judiciary the High Court of Australia the High Court of Australia 7 justices (incl. a chief justice) 7 justices (incl. a chief justice) federal courts and state courts federal courts and state courts

Political parties, health and welfare, defense, etc Political parties, health and welfare, defense, etc Australian Labor Party (ALP) (ruling) Australian Labor Party (ALP) (ruling) Coalition – the Liberal Party of Australia (LP) + National Party of Australia (NP)(leading opposition) Coalition – the Liberal Party of Australia (LP) + National Party of Australia (NP)(leading opposition) DEM and GRN, etc DEM and GRN, etc

a comprehensive social-security system a comprehensive social-security system Royal Australian Army, Navy and Air Force Royal Australian Army, Navy and Air Force

Advantages of Pluralism Two-party system Two-party system Transparency and accountability Transparency and accountability Opposition party and alternative government Opposition party and alternative government Citizens ’ power through general election Citizens ’ power through general election

Form of government Federal parliamentary democracy Head of state Governor-general, representing the British monarch Head of government Prime minister Legislature Bicameral legislature: House of Representatives, 150 members Senate, 76 senators Voting qualifications Universal and compulsory at age 18 Constitution 9 July 1900, effective 1 January 1901 Highest courtHigh Court of Australia Government of Australia