Overview
This lecture explains the structure of Australia's political system, its major political parties, the election process, and the roles of key political figures, with a focus on what international students and migrants need to know.
Structure of Government
- Australia is a federal parliamentary democracy and a constitutional monarchy.
- The King (currently King Charles III) is the symbolic head of state, with limited powers defined by the constitution.
- The Governor General represents the King in Australia.
- The Prime Minister leads the government and is the head of the party that wins the election.
- There are three levels of government: federal (national issues), state/territory (schools, hospitals), and local councils (parks, rubbish collection).
Parliament and Political Parties
- The Australian Parliament consists of two houses: the Senate (upper house) and the House of Representatives (lower house).
- The House of Representatives has 151 members who form the government.
- The Senate has 76 senators (12 per state, 2 per territory), responsible for reviewing and passing laws.
- Major political parties: Australian Labor Party (center left), Liberal Party (center right), Nationals (right wing), and Greens (left).
- The Liberal Party and Nationals often form a coalition government.
Political Spectrum and Party Focus
- Greens: left wing, focus on climate, equality, and social justice.
- Labor Party: center left, focus on workers' rights, healthcare, education.
- Liberal Party: center right, focus on economy, business, individual freedom.
- Nationals: right wing, focus on rural areas, farming, tradition.
Voting and Elections
- Voting is compulsory for Australian citizens aged 18 and over.
- Permanent residents and temporary visa holders (including international students) cannot vote in federal elections.
- Australia uses preferential voting—voters rank all candidates by preference.
- A party needs at least 76 seats in the House of Representatives (out of 151) to form a government.
- The 2025 general election is on May 3rd.
Key Roles in Politics
- Prime Minister: Head of government and party in power.
- Member of Parliament (MP): Represents a local area/electorate.
- Senator: Represents a state or territory in the Senate.
- Governor General: Approves laws and handles ceremonial duties.
Getting Involved
- Non-citizens can't vote but can volunteer with political parties or join community discussions about politics.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Constitutional Monarchy — A system where a monarch acts as head of state within constitutional limits.
- Federation — Union of states/territories with a central federal government.
- Governor General — King's representative in Australia.
- Preferential Voting — Voters rank candidates; votes are redistributed until a winner is found.
- Coalition — An alliance of political parties to form a government.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Check the Australian Electoral Commission website (aec.gov.au) for more information about elections.
- Consider volunteering or participating in local community discussions to learn more about politics.