Humanities and Social Sciences Dr David Lovell Professor of Politics Head, School of Humanities and Social Sciences UNSW Australia Explaining Australian Politics Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, October 2014

1. INSTITUTIONS 1.1 General Politics is a creative way of managing conflict Modern governments affect almost every aspect of people’s lives taxes services makes the rules much discussed Australian institutions have been remarkably stable over the last 114 years, despite enormous change in Australia Most Australians are apathetic about politics, except when it affects them directly, or when they have to vote (voting is compulsory)

1.2 Constitution Identifies the rules of the game; hard to change (needs a referendum of all Australians) Purpose is to specify the powers of government (to LIMIT government) Stress on providing a framework for individuals pursuing their goals, and less on collective goals 1.3 Federalism Territorial division of powers between the central government and the states Constitution specifies the powers of the central government, and leaves the rest to the states Development of federalism has seen the centralisation of power 1.4 High Court Established by the Constitution A ‘referee’ between central government and the states Can disallow a law if it does not conform to the Constitution

High Court of Australia

1.5 Parliament 2 ‘houses’ (House of Representatives and the Senate) Controlled by political parties (‘decline of Parliament’?) Government is formed by the party with the largest number of ‘seats’ in the Representatives 1.6 Cabinet and Prime Minister PM is head of government (not head of state) PM is advised by a Cabinet of senior ministers Rise of ‘prime ministerial’ government 1.7 ‘Responsible government’ Government accountable to the Parliament (compared with US Presidential system)

Parliament of Australia The Senate

Australian Prime Minister Mr Tony Abbott

Leader of the Opposition Bill Shorten

2. ISSUES 2.1 Immigration and multiculturalism The challenge of diversity in a political community 25% of Australians today were born overseas More than 40% of the population of central Sydney were born in Asia What is a ‘typical’ Australian?

Refugees/ Boat people/ ’Illegal’ immigrants Annual migrant intake 150,000 Annual refugee intake 20,000

2.2 An Australian Republic? Australia is a ‘constitutional monarchy’ head of state is the Governor-General, acting on behalf of the Queen of Australia role is almost exclusively symbolic – no real political power A referendum in 1999 decided that Australia would not become a republic chiefly because the roles of head of state (‘president’?) and head of government (Prime Minister) were not clarified Under what circumstances might this change?

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

2.3 Economy versus environment

2.4 Foreign policy “Australia in the Asian Century”, 2012 government ‘white paper’: centrepiece of foreign affairs strategy associated with previous, Labor, government (Rudd-Gillard) more active engagement with Asia as economic powerhouse of 21 Century (business; education; exchange; defence; trade; cultural understanding) Australia as a developed country relying on non-industrial exports Australia reliant on foreign capital for development “Defence White Paper”, 2013 currently another under development for release in 2015 strategic shifts: rise of Asia-Pacific, particularly China as economic and military power US ‘re-balance’ operation reductions in Afghanistan, Timor-Leste and Solomon Islands Global financial crisis

Australia’s biggest trading partner: China Australia’s biggest security alliance: USA

Thanks for your attention! Any questions?