Three Levels of Government

Three Levels of Government

In Australia there are three levels of government.

• The Federal Government is at the top level and is responsible for running the country.

• The second level is the State Government. Each State of Australia has its own government.

• The third level is Local Government which is responsible for running cities, towns and country areas.

The Federal Parliament is situated in Canberra, the nation’s capital. The Federal Parliament makes the laws which are carried out by the Federal Government. There are two houses of Parliament: the House of Representatives and the Senate. Members and Senators are elected by Australian voters. The Prime Minister is a member of the House of Representatives and the leader of the Federal Government. The Constitution allows the Federal Parliament to have more powers than either State or Local governments. The Federal Government is responsible for many services.

Some of these are:

Employment / Telecommunications / Airports / Immigration/customs
Defence / Income/Company Taxes / Pensions/Family Support / Radio/Television Control

Each State or Territory in Australia has its own government, parliament and Parliament House.

Laws are made about State matters in Parliament House, which is located in each State’s capital city. The leader of the State Government is the Premier. Each of the States, except Queensland, has two Houses of Parliament: the Upper House is called the Legislative Council and the Lower House is called the Legislative Assembly.

Each Territory has only one House of Parliament.

State Governments obtain more than half their money from the Federal Government. The rest comes from taxes on goods and services. The State Government is responsible for many services. Some of these are: hospitals, schools, roads, railways, forestry, fire brigade, ambulance, police, motor registration and wildlife protection.

Local councils make decisions and laws, called bylaws, on local, town or city matters. Local governments may be known as shires, municipalities, boroughs, towns or cities. The leader of the council or shire is called the Mayor or Shire President.

Local Government pays for different services with State and Federal grants and taxes, called rates from land owners.

Some services that Local Governments are responsible for are: libraries, rubbish collection, buildings and permits, swimming pools, child care centres, drains and footpaths, street signs, traffic control, animal control and rate collection.

1. Complete the chart below:

Three Levels of Governments in A ______

FIRST LEVEL / Leader
SECOND LEVEL / Leader
THIRD LEVEL / Leader

Federal Government

• There is only one Federal Government in Australia.
• The Federal Government enforces the laws made by the Federal parliament.
• The Federal Government is based in Australia’s capital city, Canberra.

1901-Federal Constitutionbecomes law.

1910-Canberra chosen as site for Federal capital.

Melbourne was the original site.

1945-Canberra becomes the main centre of all Federal Governmentactivity.

1988-Queen Elizabeth II opens the new Parliament House.

The Federal Government has powers that are written into the Constitution which make them responsible for defence, postal services, immigration, foreign affairs, trade and finance.

The Federal Government is made up of the Prime Minister and other Ministers who are responsible for different departments. Those people elected to Parliament are called Senators and Members of Parliament.

There are two sections to the Australian Parliament which are called Houses.

The Lower House is called the House of Representatives and the Upper House is called the Senate.

ACTIVITY.

1. The city of ______is where the Federal Parliament meets.

In 1901 the Federal ______became law.

______opened the new Parliament House in ______.

People elected to Parliament are called ______

______and ______.

The ______is the leader of the Federal Government.

2.The House of Representatives is called the ______.

The Upper House is called ______.

3.Why do you think Canberra was chosen as the Federal capital in 1910? ______

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1. Research and write 5 facts on the history of Canberra.

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Federal Members Of Parliament

The Prime Minster stays at an official residence, called The Lodge, and has a salary and allowances as well as a salary as a Member of Parliament. The Prime Minister usually stays in office as long as his or her party has the majority of seats in the House of Representatives. The Leader of the Opposition is the Member of Parliament who represents the party with the second largest number of seats. The Leader and other members of the Opposition sit directly opposite the Government Members in the Chamber.

Ministers and Shadow Ministers sit in the front seats of the House and so are called frontbenchers.

Those Members of Parliament who are not Ministers or Shadow Ministers are called backbenchers.

ACTIVITY

1.Fill in the boxes.

2.True or False? Colour your answer.

(a)Shadow ministers sit directly behind the ministers in the chamber.

(b) Each of the ministers have their own portfolios.

(c) A cabinet is made up of senior ministers and is run by the Prime Minister.

3.Federal Ministers are Members of the______or the ______. They are in charge of specific areas called ______. Senior Ministers form the ______and met regularly. They must answer ______and help form ______. Ministers may introduce a ______in Parliament.

4.If any Australian personality could become Prime Minister, who would you vote for?

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Federal Officers of Parliament

ACTIVITY

1.Write the correct position next to the definition.

Runs sessions in the House of Representatives:

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Runs sessions in the Senate:

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Ensures the safe keeping of records and papers:

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Carries the ceremonial Mace:

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Shorthand writes who take notes:

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Responsible for maintenance and security of House of Representatives:

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Oversees staff who work on committees:

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Host to important visitors:

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2.Which position would you like to hold?

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Why? ______

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3. Write a job description for one of the parliamentary positions.______

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Parliament House

For the first time since Australia became a nation in 1901, Parliament has a permanent home in Canberra. The new Parliament House was officially opened in 1988 by Queen Elizabeth II, during Australia’s Bicentennial year.

History of Parliament House

1921-The Commonwealth Government decided to build a Parliament House which would serve for a short time.

The house accommodated 75 Members and 36 Senators.

This short term building lasted for more than 50 years, even though it was far too small for such a growing nation.

1965-A special committee was set up to plan for a permanent building.

1970-The committee’s final report was delivered.

1974-The Parliament Act decided the site for the new Parliament

would be Capital Hill in Canberra.

1979-An architectural competition to design the new building was held, inviting entries from all over the world.

From 329 entries a winner was chosen by a selection panel. The design had simple lines, was large enough to house all members, provided large public spaces and fitted well into the design of the city of Canberra. The large flag mast above the building showed Australia was one nation with a major centre for Parliament and the Government.

1980-18 September, work began on the site.

1981-12 November, Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser helped pour the first concrete.

1985-The structure was almost complete, the central roof was installed and some of the interior was being fitted. About 2500 people were involved in the building of the new Parliament House.

1987-January, the national flag flew for the first time.

The new Parliament House incorporated many Australian designs and materials. Australian timbers, granite and fabrics were used throughout. Australian works of art including painting, photography, sculpture, ceramics, tapestry and embroidery are displayed. In the forecourt, a huge mosaic by artist Michael Nelson Tjakamarra depicts a meeting place. The mosaic is made up of 100,000 pieces of rough-cut granite.

The first sitting of Parliament took place in the Senate and House of Representatives in August 1988.

Hundreds of thousands of visitors travel to Canberra to see the new Parliament House.

ACTIVITY

1.How long did it take from the first planning stages until the completion of Parliament House?

Why do you thing it took so long? ______

______

2.What does the large flag mast symbolise?______

3.What four reasons ensured the winning design was adopted?

a.______

b.______

c.______

d. ______

4.Why do you think Parliament House is such a tourist attraction? ______

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5.Outline a suitable art exhibition for Parliament House.. Be sure to include a title and what type of artwork will be displayed.

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Federal Government Departments

Each portfolio has a large government department that employs workers called public servants. Each department is run by a senior public servant who follows instructions and directions from the Minister responsible.

The Federal Government is responsible for the defence forces which include the Army, Navy and Air Force. Thousands of people are employed and the government needs to provide training, uniforms, accommodation and equipment.

The Communications department includes postal services, the telephone network and controls over radio and television broadcasting.

Many social services are provided by the Federal Government. These include unemployed benefits, training and job hunting for the unemployed, pensions for the elderly, retired, disabled or ill.

The Federal Government is responsible for airports, immigration, customs and the issuing of passports. National highways are funded by the Federal Government.

Aboriginal Affairs is a portfolio that includes the welfare of Australian Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders.

The Equal Opportunity Commission and the Bureau of Meteorology are included in Ministers portfolios.

The Federal Government raises money to pay its bills in a variety of ways. A part of each person’s wage or salary goes to the Government as income tax. All businesses and companies pay taxes. Most things we buy, excluding food, have a tax put on them. Taxes on cigarettes, alcohol and petrol are called excise tax.

ACTIVITY

1.What is the Treasure’s main responsibility? ______

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2.What is income tax? ______

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3.Find the names of the Federal Ministers responsible for these Government Departments:

Health and Family Services
Foreign Affairs and Trade
Employment, Education, Training and Youth Affairs
Environment, Sport and Territories
Communication and the Arts
Immigration and Multicultural Affairs
Industrial Relations
Industry, Science and Tourism
Transport and Regional Development
Defence

4.Which Federal department would you choose to work in?

Why does this department interest you?

Describe some changes or new ideas that could be made in this department.

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Stages in an Election

As election time nears there is a set order of events that need to be followed.

The electoral law ensures that these stages are followed so an election is run smoothly and the rights of the candidates and electors are protected.

ACTIVITY

What role does the media play during elections?

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Why does an election need to follow a set order of events?

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Why do you think candidates need to include a deposit when nominating for an election?

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You are a candidate in your school elections. Make a list of activities you would include in your campaign to encourage students to vote for you.

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Federal Government Elections

• Federal elections are run every three years and all Australians over the age of eighteen,vote to decide who should govern the country.

• Australia is divided into electorates and the people living in each electorate are called constituents.

• The constituents vote for someone to represent them in the House of Representatives.

• Most of the candidates belong to a political party, though some are elected as independents.

Procedure for Election Day

1.Election Day is always a Saturday. Polling places are open between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. and are usually in local schools and halls. Volunteers from different political parties hand out how to vote cards as voters enter the polling place.

2.Voters must have their name marked off the electoral roll and answer three questions:

What is your name?

Where do you live?

Have you voted in this election before?

3.Voters receive their ballot papers, go to a voting booth, mark the papers in secret, fold the papers and place them in the correct ballot boxes.

4.The poll closes at 6 p.m. and the votes begin to be counted. On election night the first preferences of all ordinary votes are counted. By the close of counting that night, all ordinary votes will be counted.

5.Results are sent to the National Tally Room in Canberra where progressive figures are shown on the Tally Board.

6.The results of the House of Representatives elections are formally announced as soon as they are known. Counting for the Senate can take weeks as it is far more complicated.

7.As a result of an election Parliament is formed. The party with an absolute majority forms a Government and the leader becomes Prime Minister.

8.The party with the next highest number of seats is the Opposition.

ACTIVITY

1.Who decides who will govern our country?______

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2.Answer yes your no.

1. Can you vote if you name is not on the electoral role?

1. Are the results of the Senate election known immediately?

3.Trues or False? Colour your answer.

1. Federal elections are held every four years.

1. To be able to vote you must be over 18.

1. To be able to vote you must be an Australian citizen.

1. Elections can be held on any day of the week.

1. Voters must vote before 8 p.m. on the Election Day.

1. If you are listed on the electoral roll, you must vote at a Federal election.

1. Before receiving your ballot papers, you must give your marital status.

1. Write each step the voter goes through in order to vote.

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5.It is your job to organise a polling place at your school.

Draw a plan showing the areas that will be used and what they will be used for.