Question:
What is the history of Political Institutions in Australia?
Political Institutions
Development of Political Institutions The transfer of more authority from Britain to the colonies was helped by Britain's adoption of free trade in the late 1840s. Free trade, which meant that Britain would buy from the lowest-price supplier and sell in the most profitable market, eliminated—at least in principle—the need for colonies. Thus, in 1850, without having to unite into a common front, the eastern colonies received new constitutions. Victoria, South Australia, and Van Diemen's Land (which changed its name to Tasmania in 1854) were given legislative councils, with two-thirds of the membership to be elected. New South Wales had been granted the same provision in 1842.By the mid-1850s each of the four eastern colonies refashioned its governmental system and gained control over its land policy. The new systems vested power in a cabinet or council of ministers responsible to the legislature and provided a popularly elected assembly as a part of that legislature. Voting by ballot (instead of by the raising of hands) and other innovations made the new governments quite democratic. The new constitutions reflected the interests of the urban populations, who wanted to reduce the political power of the graziers, but the graziers still managed, during the 1850s and 1860s, to gain more security in their landholdings.
Commonwealth
Government
Australia, a federal parliamentary democracy, is an independent self-governing state and a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. The constitution of Australia, which became effective in 1901, is based on British parliamentary traditions, and includes elements of the United States system. The head of state is the British sovereign, and the head of government is the Australian prime minister, who is responsible to the Australian Parliament. All powers not delegated to the federal government are reserved to the states. Australia is a founding member of the United Nations (UN).
Governor General
Government
The executive power of the commonwealth is vested in a governor-general (representing the British sovereign) and a cabinet, presided over by the prime minister, which represents the party or coalition holding a majority in the lower house of parliament. The parliament consists of two houses. The distribution of federal and state powers is roughly like that in the United States. British intervention in Australian affairs was formally abolished in 1986. From its early years the federal government has been noted for its liberal legislation, such as woman suffrage (1902), old-age pensions (1909), and maternity allowances (1912). There are four main political parties: Liberal, Labor, National, and Democratic
Australian Frequently Asked Questions
What are the physical aspects of Australia?
Who are some famous Australians?
What are the towns of Australia?
What are the Cities/towns of Victoria?
What are the Cities/towns of WA?
What are some Australian Phrases?
What can I see in South Australia?
What are the towns of South Australia?
What are some towns in Tasmania?
What are some places of interest in NSW?
What is the Emergency Number in Australia?
What Islands lay off the coast of Queensland?
What can I see in South Australia?
What are some places to visit in Western Australia?
What can I see in the Northern Territory?
What are some places to visit in Western Australia?
What are some places to visit in NSW?
What are the cities/towns of NSW?
What are the cities/towns of Queensland?
What is Aust. Literature 20th century?
How do Australians celebrate Christmas
What are the Aboriginal languages of Australia?
What plants are native to Australia?
What are the towns of South Australia?
What are the towns/cities of NSW?
What are the towns/cities of Tasmania?
What are Australia´s Land and Resources?
What can I do in Western Australia?
How do I find information in Australia?
What are some Australian Icons?
What are some towns in South Australia
What are some towns in South Australia
What is the ecconomic climate in Australia?
What are some places to visit in Western Australia?
What are the towns of South Australia?
How have Australian Aborigines been treated?
What is an Australian cattle dog?
What are the towns of Queensland?
How is Australia keeping the games green?
What animals are native to Australia?
What are the towns/cities of WA?
What are the cities/towns of Queensland?
What are the towns of the Northern Territory?
What is the history of Early European Exploration?
What are the towns of Queensland?
What are some towns in South Australia
Who was Shirley Smith (´Mum Shirl´) ?
What are the towns/cities of ACT?
What is the Geography of the ACT?
What is the history of Australia?
What are the towns of Queensland?
What is an Australian Terrier?
What is the Government of Australia?
What is Canberra like After Dark?
What art festivals were on during the games?
What are the d´s in Aussie Slang?
What is the history of the ACT?
Where can I eat out in Australia?
What are the water safety procedures in Australia?
What are the States of Australia?
What are some animals in Australia?
What is the Townsville region ?
What security precautions should I take in Australia?
What fauna is found in Australia?
What is the history of Australia?
What is the usual Australian Christmas fare?
What animals can be found in Australia?
What can I see in Coffs Harbour?
Where can I find a good collection of Australian photographs?
What is the history of ceramics in Australia?
What can I see on the Great Barrier Reef?
what snakes live in Australia?
What is the Aussie Way of Life?
What animals can be found in Australia?
What animals can found in Australia?
Who was Sir Douglas Nicholls ?
What is the Australian government?
How do I contact Ambulance, Fire, Police in an emergency?
What are the physical aspects of Victoria?
What animals can found in Australia?
Where do I eat out in Australia?
What is the history of Australia?
What are Australia´s Population Characteristics?
What are the rivers of Australia
What Religious celebrations take place in Australia at Christmas?
Do they have many holidays in Australia?
Can I celebrate Christmas Mass in Australia?
What is the history of Australia?
Who is Sir Tannatt William Edgeworth?
What are the Towns/cities of Queensland?
What are some Outback Travelling Tips?
What is the history of literature in Australia?
What is the history of literature in Australia?
What will I find on the East Coast Tasmania?
What is Government in Australia?
What is the history of Political Institutions in Australia?
What is the history of Australia?
What animals can be found in Australia?
What are the busses like in the ACT?
Is the Australian Echidna marsupial or mammal?
What is the history of The Founding of Sydney ?
What wildlife can be found in our oceans?
How do I get an Australian Visa?
Can I get traditional Christmas food in Australia?
What is education in Australia?
What are Australian dollar coins made of?
How much cash can I bring into Australia?
Who was Sir Garfield Barwick ?
What is the #3 Beach resort in Australia?
Where is the Sheraton Mirage Resort, Port Douglas?
Where are the The Victorian Goldfields?
What are the Natural Resources of Australia?
What is Surfing life in Australia?
What Was Australia´s view of the Interwar Years?
Who is Thomas Alexander Browne?
Where is Kakadu National Park?
Who is William Charles Wentworth?
What are some places to visit in Perth?
What is the history on Australia´s New Settlements ?
What is Australian Rules football?
What is the Government of Australia?
What do I do if attacked by a Crocodile?
What events take place in the ACT?
What is the #1 beach resort in Australia?
What is the history of north east of Victoria?
What is the history of Australia?
What is the history of Australia?
What are Australia´s States and external dependants?
How many states are there in Australia?
How do Australians celebrate Valentines Day?
Who was Andrew Barton (Banjo) Paterson ?
Where do I get tourist information in Australia?
What is Australia´s Defense force?
What towns/cities are in South Australia
What animals are native to Australia?
What is the history of Australia?
How do I stay safe on Australias Beaches?
What safety precautions should I take at the beach?
Who is Henry Handel Richardson?
What is Forestry and Fishing in Australia?
Where can I find information on the Western Australian State Governmen
Where is the Australian War Memorial?
What memorials should I see in Canberra?
What towns/cities are in the ACT?
What is the Olympic Games Motto?
What animals can be found in Australia?
What is Currency and Banking in Australia?
What was Australia´s Expanding Colonization From the 1820s to the 18
What is the climate in Australia?
What is the Olympic Arts Festival ?
What is the history of Australia?
Where is the National Gallery ?
Are there old historic dwellings in Canberra, ACT, Australia
Can I see many art galleries in Canberra?
| Guru Spotlight |
| Mary White |
