Australian Parliamentary System

Separation of Powers

Federal Electoral Boundaries in Victoria

House of Representatives The House of Representatives is known as the “People’s House” The House of Representatives is known as the “People’s House” Members are elected by citizens who are grouped in electoral divisions Members are elected by citizens who are grouped in electoral divisions There are 150 members- 1 from each division in Australia. There are 150 members- 1 from each division in Australia. Members are elected for a term of 3 years Members are elected for a term of 3 years The party with the majority of members in this house is made government The party with the majority of members in this house is made government

Today’s House of Reps

The Senate

The senate is known as the ‘States House’ The senate is known as the ‘States House’ Senators are elected by the citizens of the 6 states and 2 territories Senators are elected by the citizens of the 6 states and 2 territories There are 76 Senators – 12 from each state and 2 from each territory There are 76 Senators – 12 from each state and 2 from each territory Senators are elected for a term of 6 years Senators are elected for a term of 6 years Senate known as ‘The states house’ as it supports the rights of the states Senate known as ‘The states house’ as it supports the rights of the states Also known as the parliamentary watch dog Also known as the parliamentary watch dog

The Prime Minister Leader of the government (majority of members in the House of Reps) Leader of the government (majority of members in the House of Reps) Elected by his/ her political party Elected by his/ her political party Resides in the House of Representatives Resides in the House of Representatives Responsible to his ministers and his electorate Responsible to his ministers and his electorate

The Governor General Represents the Monarch in Australia and Parliament Represents the Monarch in Australia and Parliament Appointed by the Queen under the recommendation of the Prime Minister Appointed by the Queen under the recommendation of the Prime Minister Role is to formally sign a bill that has been passed through parliament. It then becomes an ‘Act’ of parliament and law. Role is to formally sign a bill that has been passed through parliament. It then becomes an ‘Act’ of parliament and law. This action is known as ‘Royal Assent’ This action is known as ‘Royal Assent’ Position is seen as a formal one, but without carrying any great power Position is seen as a formal one, but without carrying any great power Governor-General Quentin Bryce

Cabinet and Ministers The Prime Ministers and his senior ministers meet together as the cabinet to make government policies The Prime Ministers and his senior ministers meet together as the cabinet to make government policies The Prime Minister selects some members of parliament from his own party to be ministers. These men and women manage different government responsibilities (called Portfolio’s) which include Defence, foreign affairs, Aboriginal affairs The Prime Minister selects some members of parliament from his own party to be ministers. These men and women manage different government responsibilities (called Portfolio’s) which include Defence, foreign affairs, Aboriginal affairs

Federal Parliament Terms Senate: The upper house of the Federal parliament Senate: The upper house of the Federal parliament House of Representatives: The lower house of federal parliament House of Representatives: The lower house of federal parliament Prime minister: The leader of the elected federal government Prime minister: The leader of the elected federal government Opposition: The political party without a majority of members in the House of Representatives Opposition: The political party without a majority of members in the House of Representatives Ministers: An elected member of parliament, representing the government, who has responsibility for a special area, or ‘portfolio’ Ministers: An elected member of parliament, representing the government, who has responsibility for a special area, or ‘portfolio’ Treasurer: Minister responsible for controlling the government’s finances Treasurer: Minister responsible for controlling the government’s finances Cabinet: The group of government ministers who decide government policy Cabinet: The group of government ministers who decide government policy Shadow Minister: A member of the Opposition who acts as spokesperson for his or her party in a particular area Shadow Minister: A member of the Opposition who acts as spokesperson for his or her party in a particular area Backbencher: A member of parliament who is not a minister or shadow minister Backbencher: A member of parliament who is not a minister or shadow minister Speaker: The senior officer presiding over the lower house in State and federal parliaments Speaker: The senior officer presiding over the lower house in State and federal parliaments