The Commonwealth of AustraliaGovernment

GDP & E.Q.

• SS6CG7a. Describe the federal parliamentary democracy of Australia, distinguishing form of leadership, type of legislature, and the role of the citizen in terms of voting and personal freedoms.

Australia has a..

• Federal Parliamentary Democracy: – power is split between the central & local

government (central handles treaties & defense, local handles education & state police)

– citizens vote for members of Parliament

Australia has

• 6 states – from 6 original colonies

• 2 territories – land not claimed by states – can’t pass laws

• A constitution which grants rights to states & central gov’t

• National capital: Canberra

How Parliamentary Democracy works in Australia

• All citizens 18 & older MUST vote or get fined and go to court.

Parliament Makes Laws

• Parliament is divided into 2 houses– House of Representatives – Senate

• Australia is divided into electorates, each with about the same number of people.

• Citizens of each electorate choose 1 person to represent them in the House of Representatives

• Citizens choose 12 senators per state & territory for Senate

House of Representatives

• The winning political party becomes the Government.

• It chooses the prime minister, who recommends a “governor general” to the Queen to represent her in Australia

• The political party with the 2nd highest number of people in Parliament is called the Opposition.

Head of State vs. Head of Government

Head of State• Queen Elizabeth II of

England• Signs laws• Commander in chief of

military

(Governor General does her jobs)

Head of Government• Prime Minister• Most powerful political

figure in Australia• Runs the government

How

•A representative suggests a new law (called a bill)

A

•In the House of Representatives, the bill is explained, discussed & changed

Bill

•If the representatives pass the bill, it goes to the Senate

Becomes

•If the Senate passes the bill, it becomes an ACT of PARLIAMENT

A LAW

•The Governor General signs the Act & it becomes a law that must be obeyed

Citizens’ Freedoms

• Speech• Religion• To choose a job• To travel• To vote

Economics in Australia

• Mixed mostly market economy• One of freest in world (more than the U.S.)• Easy to start a business• Currency is Australian dollar• Low tariffs (just to help wheat & other grain

farmers)• Few trade barriers• 1998 Weapons Embargo against Yugoslavia – to

help end fighting there

Capital and GDP

• Australia invests in – human capital

• Compulsory education ages 6-18• Paid by taxpayers• High literacy rate• Well-trained work force• Good health care• One of highest standards of living in the world

– Physical capital• Has advanced technology

• Has a high GDP as a result