1301.0 - Year Book Australia, 2005  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 21/01/2005   
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Contents >> Government >> Introduction

This chapter was contributed by the Department of the Parliamentary Library of the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia (October 2004).

Australia has a federal system of government within which there are four divisions: Commonwealth, state, territory and local government.

This chapter outlines the basic features of the Australian system of government, including:

  • the constitutional basis of government
  • the Sovereign
  • the Governor-General
  • the Commonwealth Parliament
  • the Australian Government
  • the Australian Public Service

Commonwealth elections
  • state government
  • territory government - self-governing
  • territory government - non-self governing
  • local government
  • the party system.

It also provides details of the ministry, and of the state and territory political leaders.

The chapter concludes with an article Drawing House of Representatives electorate boundaries.



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