Fall ASU 2014

CURRENCY
Australias colorful bank notes come in
denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100
dollars

Coat of Arms
A shield representing the federal
states with the badges of the six
separate Australian states.
Culture
Everyone in Australia is expected
to show respect, equality, and
support to the government.

Government System Of
Australia
For those whove come across the seas, Weve boundless plains to share;
With courage let us all combine, To Advance Australia Fair.
Australia is a federation of six States. The states also have three self-
governing Territories, have their own constitutions, parliaments,
governments and laws. The information here will be Federal
government focused because the states operate on the same values.
Australias government is a democratic parliament with two chambers: the House
of Representatives and the Senate. Cabinet meetings select Ministers from the
chambers. The ministers responsibilities are managing executive government
and making policy decisions. In many ways Australian government closely
resembles the British parliament model.
Australia is an independent nation, however, Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain
appoints a Governor-General to represent her. The Governor-General acts on
every matter within the instruction of ministers.
Australia differs from the Britain government in the fact that Australia has a
written constitution. The constitution states the role and responsibilities of the
federal government. The individual state governments follow the federal
constitutions principles and also may have their own.
When federal or state elections are held, it is required by law for all citizens over
18 to vote.
Separation of Powers
Australia has three powers of governmentthe legislative, the executive, and the
judicial. Legislative has power to make laws, executive has the power to carry out
and enforce the laws, and judicial has power to interpret laws and to judge
whether they apply in individual cases. All of these powers act as checks and
balances for each other which prevents an oppressive government.