Overview
This lecture explains Australia's three levels of government—federal, state/territory, and local—including their responsibilities and how they work together.
Federal Government
- The federal government is also called the national Parliament and meets in Canberra.
- It can make laws for the whole country as specified in the Australian Constitution.
- Federal responsibilities include immigration, marriage, communications, taxation, defence, and foreign affairs.
- Federal law overrides state law if there is a conflict on shared issues.
State and Territory Governments
- There are six state and two territory Parliaments, each meeting in their capital city.
- State/territory governments make laws for their own regions.
- Responsibilities include schools, hospitals, roads, railways, electricity, water, mining, and agriculture.
- They handle areas not covered by the national Constitution.
Local Government
- Local government consists of more than 560 councils across Australia.
- Councils handle local matters like roads, parks, rubbish collection, library services, street signage, and pet control.
- They focus on issues considered to be local services.
How the Three Levels Work Together
- Each level of government has different responsibilities.
- All three collaborate to ensure Australia is effectively managed.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Federal Parliament — The national law-making body that governs all of Australia.
- State/Territory Parliament — Law-making bodies that govern within their individual states or territories.
- Local Government/Council — Elected bodies responsible for governing smaller areas within states and providing local services.
- Constitution — The set of fundamental laws that outline the powers of the federal government.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review the differences between each level of government and their responsibilities.