Political System of Australia

Date: 2015-10-07; view: 554.

The Commonwealth of Australia is a form of government in which a hereditary monarch is the sovereign ofAustralia. The monarchy is a constitutional one modeled on the Westminster style of parliamentary government, incorporating features unique to the Constitution of Australia. The present monarch is Elizabeth II who has reigned since 6 February 1952. She is represented for ceremonial purposes in Australia by the Governor-General, in accordance with the Constitution of Australia. The Governor-General is appointed by the monarch on the advice of the Prime Minister of Australia. By the Australia Act of 1986, the monarch's only role in the federal sphere is the appointment of the Governor-General. As such, there is some debate over whether the sovereign or the Governor-General is Australia's head of state. In each of the states, the monarch is represented by a governor, appointed directly by the Queen on the advice of her respective state.

The Australian monarch, besides reigning in Australia, separately serves as monarch for each of fifteen other Commonwealth countries known as Commonwealth realms. This developed from the former colonial relationship of these countries to Britain, but they are now independent and the monarchy of each is legally distinct. The monarch of Australia is the same person as the monarch of the fifteen other Commonwealth realms within the 54-member Commonwealth of Nations; however each country is sovereign and independent of the others.

On all matters of the Australian state, the monarch is advised by Australian federal Ministers of the Crown and no British or other government can advise the monarch on any matters pertinent to Australia.

Australia's constitution is made up of a variety of statutes and conventions that are either British or Australian in origin, which gives Australia a similar parliamentary system of government to the other Commonwealth realms.

Australia has a parliament in each state and the Federal Parliament of the Commonwealth at Canberra. The Federal Parliament consists of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The sovereign, along with the Senate and the House of Representatives, is one of the three components of Parliament, called the Queen-in-Parliament. The monarch and viceroy do not, however, participate in the legislative process save for the granting of Royal Assent by the Governor-General. Further, the constitution outlines that the Governor-General alone is responsible for summoning, proroguing, and dissolving parliament. The new parliamentary session is marked by the State Opening of Parliament, during which either the monarch or the Governor-General reads the Speech from the Throne. As the monarch and viceroy cannot enter the House of Representatives, this, as well as the bestowing of Royal Assent, takes place in the Senate chamber.

The federal government of the country is headed by the Prime Minister, usually the leader of the party which has the majority. Although the Constitution gives extensive executive powers to the Governor-General, these are normally exercised only on the advice of the Prime Minister.

1) Point out features to confirm that the Commonwealth of Australia is modeled on the Westminster style of parliamentary government.

2) What is the essence of the British Commonwealth of Nations?

3) What are the three components of Australia's Parliament?

4) What powers are granted to the Governor-General?

5) Why cannot the monarch and viceroy enter the House of Representatives?

6) What powers are exercised by the Prime Minister?

TEXT 4. Read the text. Fulfill the tasks given after the text. Use additional information from SUPPLEMENTARY READER (texts 7, 8) if necessary.