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Government

FEDERATION Federation occured in 1901 and it changed the Australian Colonies because they became six states(and two territories) and transferred all their power to one Government.They also now had a Governor General who represented the Queen and also signed Bills. The Governments have an Australian Constitution which is a book that has the laws in which they have to follow. They have Federalism which means that a group of members of Parliament come together to govern a representative head. They also have Bicameralism which is the two houses in Paliament.

THREE TEIRED SYSTEM There are three levels in Government and they are Federal ,State and Local. They each look after a part or whole of the states and territories, local areas and the nation. Federal Government looks after Defence, Foriegn Affairs, Trade, Immigration and Currency. State Government looks after Health, Education, Transport, Agriculture and Forests. Local Government looks after Building Regulations, Waste Management, Recreation Spaces and Animal Control. They all share Roads, Environment Issues and Public Health Issues. The names of the leaders for each of these levels is Prime Minister, Premier and Mayor. To create a law a person suggests something then it goes to Parliament, then to the House of Representatives, then they argue, if they agree to it goes to the Senate. Then in the Senate they argue some more and agree or disagree, then back to the House of Representatives to confirm and vote one last time. Then if confirmed, it goes to the Governor General and he/she checks that it has gone through both houses and if it has it will get signed and is now a law.

COAT OF ARMS The Coat of Arms has a Shield with six badges which represent the Six States (not including N.T and A.C.T). On the right of the Shield is an Emu and on the left is a Red Kangaroo. There is a scroll on the bottom with the word Australia. It also has the Federation Star which represents the six states and the two Australian Territories as one point. Did you know that both animals on the Coat of Arms can't move backwards they can only go forwards which is also to represent Australia going forward. The flower is the wattle flower, the floral emblem of Australia. Did you know that King George V in 1912 granted the Coat of Arms in Australia. The scroll and the wattle were not in the original design. The Coat of Arms is on Australian passports and is very specific and it is not used that much and in doing so would disobey laws relating to misrepresentation, forgery or trademark infringement.



THE PRIME MINISTER The Prime Minister has a lot of other jobs such as chairing the weekly party meeting where the party looks at new legislation and decides new policy. Selects other members and senators from the same party to be Ministers. Making new laws with the Ministers from the Cabinet for Parliament. Leads their Government as the Chief Spokesperson in the House of Representatives. Represents the Australian Government in Embassies overseas. Advises the Governer General about very important meetings such as the Appointment of Ambassadors, Heads of Government departments and other constitutional matters. Decides when to call an Election and leads the party in the Election.

VOTING AND ELECTIONS On the 16th of December 1903 the Government made new laws for the Commonwealth Franchise and Electoral Act. The only thing though, was that no aboriginal of Australia couldt vote unless they were entitled in the State elections. You also had to be a British citizen but it is now Australian because they changed it in 1948. Before the 1903 Election they created the Electoral Roll to see who has and who hasn't voted. The Polling Booths were on a Wednesday but it is now on a Saturday. The Candidate who achieve a majority vote won (51%). It wasn't compulsory to vote but in 1924 they changed it to compulsory.

POLITICAL PARTIES The Political Parties in Australia are the Australian Labour Party which have blue, white and red for Australian colours with the Southern Cross and the Union Jack to show Australia. Liberal has the Australian flag with blue around it to show Australia's flag. The Nationals have green and yellow with writing Regional Australia to show Australian colours and our Country to be one Region. The Greens have a a green triangle with the words The Greens to help,save and represent the enviorment. Australian Democrats have the word Democrat which means to have a say in the society and they have gold and dark green.

AUSTRALIAN PERSPECTIVE In Australia we have a democratic society together with a democratic Government. Democratic or democrocy means a form of Government in which the people can either have,or not have any input into the running of the Government. We also have a fair system of Government because everyone gets to have their saying and they can vote for who they want and can have a Referendem vote and suggest ideas to become Act and Laws.

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