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 * __FEDERATION__** : When did this occur ?

Once the Australian Constitution had been accepted by voters in the Australian Colonies. The Federation began in 1897 - 1903. The first Federal Election was on the 29th and 30th of March, 1901.

__**THE CONSTITUTION** :__

The Australian Constitution is a set of legal Principals by which Australia is governed. It describes how the Parliament is composed, how it works. Before 1901, Australia consisted of six separate colonies ruled by the British Parliament and Government. Many colonies wanted to join into one Federation. Some people who ran these meetings wrote a constitution which was voted on by citizens in each colony. All the colonial citizens voted.

__**WHAT DID IT MEAN FOR AUSTRALIAN COLONIES ?**__

It mean that Australian colonies could vote for what they through was right. In 1911 the Commonwealth Government created the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory. Six colonies became States.


 * __THE ROLE OF THE GOVERNOR GENERAL :__**

Today the file of the Governor General is mainly ceremonial. To represent Australia overseas, host's official functions, open each session of Parliament. To represent the Queen, controls military.


 * __FEDERALISM - BICAMERALISM :__**

Bicameralism is when laws are passed through both houses to check the law and make it better.

__**THE THREE TIERED SYSTEM** :__

Each level of Government is run by a Council or Parliament. These Council's and Parliament's collect taxes to pay for their own Program. Although money is still transferred from the Commonwealth to the States, Territories and Local Governments. States also fund local council activities.

There is one Federal Parliament, six State Parliaments and two Territory Parliaments and over six hundred and fifty Local Councils.


 * __THE COAT OF ARMS :__**

The two animals represent moving forward in Australia because the two animals find it hard to go backwards, the six emblems on the shield represent New South Wales, Queensland, Northern Territory, South Australia, Western Australia and Victoria.


 * __THE PRIME MINISTER__** __:__

The Prime Minister is a Member of Parliament House of Representatives. The Prime Minister is the Leader of one of the Political Parties. The Prime Minister represents Australia overseas, decides on new laws and rules and at any time the Party can vote the Minister out and replace She or He with another Party Member.

__**VOTING AND ELECTIONS :**__

There are two types of ballot papers :


 * Legislative Assembly Ballot Paper
 * Legislative Council Ballot Paper

If you make a mistake it is called a spoilt ballot paper.

__**DEMOCRACY :**__

I think that democracy means that people can vote because of the laws.

I think that Australia has a fair system of Government because they have fair rules and laws.

__**THE LEADERS FOR EACH LEVEL OF GOVERNEMENT** :__

Council - Mayor State Parliament - Treasurer Federal Parliament - Prime Minister