Federal Parliamentary Democracy of Australia ©2011 Clairmont Press

Australia’s Federation Australia distributes power through different divisions or levels of government. National Government (Capital: Canberra) The Provincial or Territorial Governments: New South Wales South Australia Victoria Western Australia Queensland Tasmania Northern Territory & Australian Capital Territory Australia National Government New South Wales South Australia Victoria Western Australia Queensland Tasmania Australian Capital Territory Northern Territory

Australia’s Parliamentary Democracy Executive Branch Legislative Branch Head of Government (Chief Executive) Prime Minister Appointed member of the legislative branch (House of Representatives) Chief of State (Head of State) Constitutional Monarch Currently: Her Majesty Queen of Australia Elizabeth II She is also the Queen of Great Britain, Canada, and Jamaica Her power is largely symbolic, she is limited in power by the constitution of Australia. Governor General Appointed by the constitutional monarch at the request of the prime minister Upper House: Senate 76 seats 12 members from each state and 2 from each territory House of Representatives 150 seats Representation determined by population totals Prime Minister is the leading member of the majority party in the House of Representatives. He or she chooses cabinet members from the House of Representatives

Australia Government