Structure of Parliament

Australia is a constitutional monarchy. This means that the head of State is a monarch, or
sovereign, who is governed and bound by the Constitution.

In centuries past, the monarch exercised direct political power and governed as a political and
administrative figure. Absolute monarchs governed with few restraints on their power. Some
monarchs claimed the divine right of kings, asserting that they were chosen by God to rule.
By contrast, the modern British monarchy is above politics. The monarch is a figurehead who
performs ceremonial functions, but does not exercise political power. This power resides in the
Parliament.
Australia’s Head of State is Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II. She is represented in Australia by the
Governor-General, Sir Peter Cosgrove.
The Governor General
• Represents the Monarch in
Australia and Parliament
• 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.
• This action is known as ‘Royal
Assent’
Governor-General
Sir Peter Cosgrove • Position is seen as a formal one,
but without carrying any great
power
Kings, Queens and other rulers
*Task 1: Answer the questions below in your books

1a) What is a “monarch”?

1b) What is a “sovereign”?

1c) What is the Governor General?

•You are permitted to use your dictionary and to research on your computer for all
answers.
What is a democracy?
• Democracy: a system of government in which the
people have the power to determine how they will be
ruled or managed, and so elect a parliament to make
and implement laws on their behalf.
Australia is a Liberal Democracy:
Liberal Democracy is a phrase often used to describe Western democratic
political systems, such as Australia, the United States, Britain, New
Zealand, Canada and other nations.

It refers to political systems in which there are attempts to:

• defend and increase civil liberties

• restrict or regulate government intervention in political, economic and moral

matters

• increase freedoms including religious, political and intellectual freedoms

• frame rules that maximise the well-being of all or most citizens

• separates the powers of the arms of government to check and balance each
other
The Australian political system has three levels of
government and the roles of government are clearly
outlined in The Australian Constitution. Our politicians
come from various political parties which are discussed
later in the presentation:

Each level of government looks after our citizens and country:

• Federal Government
• State Government
• Local Government

• Laws are made at Federal and State Level

• By-laws are made at local government level

• (‘BY’ is the old Viking word for ‘town’)
The Australian
Constitution
The Australian Constitution is the set of rules by which
Australia is run. It came into effect on 1 January 1901,
establishing the Commonwealth of Australia. It has been
an important document in shaping Australian society
ever since.

The Australian Constitution describes the composition, role and

powers of the federal Parliament. It sets out how the federal and
state parliaments share the power to make laws. It also details
the role of the executive government and the High Court and
defines certain rights of Australian citizens, such as the right to
religious freedom.
The Australian Constitution determines
how laws are made in our country, and
what powers government has:
 The Australian Constitution has operated since the
federation of the Australian colonies in 1901.

 It establishes the framework of the main political institutions –

legislature, executive and judicature – the relationships
between them, and the powers of the Federal Parliament in relation
to the States.

 The Constitution is technically an act of the British Parliament

passed in 1900. The last vestiges of British legislative influence in
Australia were eliminated with the passage of the Australia Act in
1986.

 New Zealand does not have a written constitution

What is The Australian
Constitution? (pg. 523)
After discussions with your teachers, your table
group and your own research, state what the
Australian Constitution is.
• Why is a Constitution so important?
• What does the Constitution protect?
• Why do you think a democracy has a
Constitution?
• How do we change the Constitution?