Australia has a federal parliamentary democracy system of government. The country is led by a prime minister who is chosen by the majority party in the House of Representatives. Citizens participate democratically by voting, with mandatory voting for those over 18. The economy focuses on services and tourism with a relatively high standard of living.

1. Good Mafternoon!
4/23/14
EQ: What is the gov't and economy of Australia like?
HW: None :) *Reminder: GA OAS by 4-28
SPONGE
Pick up a Australia gov't and econ handout
from the BLUE tray and begin working on it
SILENTLY.
DateDate ## TitleTitle
4-23 81 Australia Gov't and Econ

2. Australia’s Government
Unit 10 Notes

3. Government Systems &
Types
A Brief Review…

4. Government Systems --
Whose Got the Power?
Unitary--power is held by one central
authority
Confederation--association of independent
states that agree to certain limitations on their
freedoms by joining together
Federal--power is divided between central
authority & several regional authorities
Which system does Australia have?

5. Government Types --
How Do Citizens
Participate?
Autocratic-- 1 person possesses unlimited power
& citizens have limited role in government
Oligarchic-- small group exercises control &
citizens have limited role in government
Democratic--supreme power is vested in the
people & exercised by them directly or indirectly
though a system of representation involving free
elections
Which type does Australia have?

6. Two Types of Democratic
Governments
Parliamentary-- a system of government having
the real executive power vested in a cabinet
composed of members of the legislature who elect
the leader
Leader works with or through the legislature
Presidential--system of government in which the
leader is constitutionally independent of the
legislature
Leader works separate from legislature
*Which type of democracy does Australia have?

7. Australia’s Government
Federation (federal system)
Parliamentary Democracy
Constitutional Monarchy

8. Leadership
1. Head of State: Monarch of the
United Kingdom (presently, Queen
Elizabeth II); little political power
2. Governor General: stands in for the
monarch
3. Prime Minister: holds the most
political power; works closely with the
legislature

9. Her Majesty
Queen Elizabeth II

10. Her Excellency
The Right Honorable
Quentin Bryce
(Governor General)

11. The Right Honorable
Tony Abbott
(Prime Minister)

12. How the Leader is
Chosen…
Governor General: appointed by the
monarch on the advice of the Prime
Minister; serves a 5 year term
Prime Minister: is the leader of the
majority party in the House of
Commons; indirectly elected by the
people

13. Legislature: Parliament
1. Senate (76 seats): there are 12 members
from each state and 2 from each territory.
• State senators are elected every 6 years and
territory senators every 3 years.
2. House of Representatives (152
seats): members are directly elected by
the people
• largest political party in the House elects the
Prime Minister

14. Role of Citizen in
Government
Citizens must be 18 to vote
If you do not vote you must pay a fine

15. Directions
With a partner, do Coach
book
Pages 187-193
Problems #479-495