9.2 An Overview of Australia's Parliament

High Court

ultimate court of appeal in Australia and the court with the authority to hear and determine disputes arising under the Australian Consititution

Westminster System

a parliamentary system of government that developed in Britain and upon which Australia’s parliamentary system is modelled

responsible government

a legal principle which requires the government to be answerable to elected representatives of the people for its actions and which requires the government to maintain the confidence of the majority of the lower house, if the government loses public support it can be voted out

Seperation of powers

a doctrine established by the Australian Constitution that three powers of our parlimentary system remain seperate so one body cannot have too much power

government

the ruling authority with power to govern, formed by the political party or parties that holds majority in the lower house in each parliament

parliamentary system established by the constitution

• 1 federal parliament

• 6 state parliaments

• 2 territory parliaments

key principles of westminster parliamentary system

• responsible government

• seperation of powers

constitution acting as a check of government power

limits parliament’s law-making powers