Overview
This lecture explains what government is, outlines the structure of government in Australia, and describes the responsibilities of each level of government.
What is Government?
- Government is a group of people in charge of ruling and running a country or region.
- Each country has its own type of government and way of making decisions.
Government in Australia: Structure
- Australia is a constitutional monarchy, meaning it has a monarch (King Charles III) as the head of state.
- The monarch’s power is limited by the Australian Constitution, a set of rules on how the country is run.
- Most decisions are made by elected representatives according to the Constitution.
Levels of Government in Australia
- Australia has three levels of government: federal, state/territory, and local.
Federal Government
- Formed in 1901 when Australia became a federation.
- Responsible for national issues like currency, immigration, defense, and nationwide communication.
- Collects taxes such as income tax, GST (Goods and Services Tax), and company tax.
- Meets in Canberra, the Australian Capital Territory (ACT).
State and Territory Governments
- There are six states and two territories, each with its own government.
- Handle state-specific matters like education, hospitals, public transport, and housing.
- Collect payroll tax and stamp duty but mainly funded by federal government grants.
Local Government
- Over 500 local councils (municipalities and shires) manage local areas.
- Responsible for parks, animal control, and rubbish collection.
- Collects council rates and gets grants from higher government levels.
Law-Making Powers and Conflicts
- If state and federal laws conflict, federal laws override due to the Constitution.
- Some issues are exclusive to federal government; others are shared with states.
- The federal government can override territory laws at any time.
- The ACT combines territory and local government functions.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Constitutional Monarchy — A government with a monarch limited by a constitution.
- Tax — Money paid to the government to fund public services.
- Federation — The joining together of states or colonies into one nation.
- Council Rates — Local taxes paid by homeowners for council services.
- Grant — Money given by one level of government to another for specific purposes.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Watch the recommended videos on how elections work in Australia for deeper understanding.