RA+BITS+'N'+PIECES

=GOVERNMENT LEARNING TASK=

THREE TIERED SYSTEMS
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT The federal government takes care of all of Australia and their laws. Our leader is Tony Abbott.

STATE GOVERNMENT The state government takes care of one state (e.g. New South Wales) and looks after their laws. Our leader is Mike Baird.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT The local government takes care of our local are (e.g. Macartha). They state our laws and rules. Our leader is Russel Matheson.

COAT OF ARMS
The Australian coat of arms consists of a shield with the badges of the six Australian states. There is a red kangaroo on the left side. On the right side there is a emu. Underneath the shield is a scroll with the word 'Australia' written on it. Wattle spray forms the background. The commonwealth uses it to identify its authority and property. However it can also be found in many other places of example, on cricketer's hats and Australian passports.

VOTING AND ELECTIONS
An election is where a large group of people vote to choose a small group of people to represent them.

All Australian citizens eighteen and older have the right to vote unless they are of unsound mind.

THE PRIME MINISTER
The PM (Prime Minister) is the leader of the majority political parties. The PM has many jobs. These include
 * Chairing the party meetings weekly in which the parties decide policy and examines new legislation
 * Selecting other members and ministers to be senators
 * deciding with the ministers in Cabinet what new laws should be in parliament
 * Leading the Government as the spokesman in the ouse of Representatives
 * Representing the Australian Government in other countries
 * Advising the Governor-general of appointments such as the appointment of ambassadors
 * Decides when to call an election and leads the party in the election