Politics: Australian Political System

Federal money

Funded by income and compensation tax, GST, and company profits, + raise money for country

Federal power/matters

trade, immigration, tax, environment, foreign affairs, medicare, defence/military (National matters)

State money

Money from taxes, GST, half their money from Federal

State power/matters

Schools, housing, hospitals, railways, police, healthcare, public transport, ambulance (State matters)

Local money

Money from local property owners, rates and fines + grants from Federal & State

Local power/matters

town planning, rubbish collection, water + sewerage, libraries, local roads, pet control (Local matters)

What is the Constitution?

The foundational document outlining the structure and powers of government, the laws and legal framework by which Australia is governed.

Federal Executive Government

The main decision-making body of Australian government and is responsible for putting federal laws into action.

Minister

Works with their government department to prepare a bill, head for government department.

Government department

Division of a national/state government that manages a specific area of public administration.

Treasurer

The government minister responsible for overseeing the economy, federal budget, and financial policy.

Budget

A plan deciding how you spend your money and how much.

Portfolio

Collection of products, services, and other company divisions.

Senate

Upper house, review and debate all bills before they become law

House of Representatives

Lower house, majority party forms government, most bills begin

Proportional voting

Used in Senate. To be elected candidate needs to win a quota, a set proportion of the electorate's votes, which is 1/7 of the overall vote after preferences

Preferential voting

Used in House of Reps. Voters number candidates from most to least wanted, candidate needs 50% of the vote plus 1 to be elected.

Senators

76 Members of the Senate, elected for a term of 6 years.

Electorate

An area represented by a member of parliament, containing around 100,000 people.

To Form Government?

Party needs to win majority of seats in House of Representatives, which is 76 out of 151

Prime Minister

The head of government in Australia, who is a member of and from the House of Representatives.

Why is House of Reps important

Forms government, controls most legislation, represents the people directly, holds power to approve the budget

Minor Parties

Favoured in proportional voting, seats allocated based on percentage, win seats with minimal support, win seats in Senate more

Major Parties

Favoured in preferential voting, votes from eliminated candidates often go to major parties, win seats in House of Reps more

Seats in Senate

There are 76 senators, with 12 from each state and 2 from each territory.

Election Cycle

House of Reps: 3 years. The Senate: 6 years

Liberal Party Policies

Low inflation,

cheap energy,

affordable homes,

Safe communities,

quality healthcare

Liberal Party stands for:

Helping the smaller "forgotten" communities,

focus on afforability + safety

Labor Party Policies

Managing economy,

lower cost of living,

invest into medicare,

new affordable housing,

climate change

Labor Party stands for:

Supporting with cost of living, affordability,

focus on economy + climate change

The National Party stands for:

Stronger regional economy,

secure communitites,

delivering opportunity and prosperity,

sustainable environment

The Greens stand for:

Better medicare,

cost of living,

action to climate change

Australian Political Spectrum

How many MPs in House of Reps?

151 MPs

How many senators does Labor have?

25 senators

Why are the Teal Independents, teal?

Balance between blue (Liberal) and green (Greens), independent and moderate values, political branding and voter recognition.

Teal Independents Policies

climate action, integrity in politics, gender equality, economic policies, improved health and education, community-centered.