Australian Government Structure and Roles

Structure of Government in Australia

• Australia has three main governments: Federal, State, and Local
• Federal Government handles whole country's affairs, State Government handles individual state's affairs, and Local Government handles local issues

Federal Government

• Decides on matters that affect the whole country, such as:
  • Immigration
  • Foreign affairs
  • Economic management
  • Industrial relations
  • Defence
  • Education
• The prime minister is the political leader of the federal government
• The Governor-General represents the British monarchy as head of state
• Senior members of the Cabinet make the most important decisions

State Government

• Controls matters that affect citizens within their individual state, such as:
  • Public housing
  • Conservation
  • Public roads and railways
  • Health
  • Education
  • Law and order
  • Public transport
• The head of the state government is the Premier, and the head of the state is the Governor
• All state governments, except QLD, have two houses of parliament: Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council

Local Government

• Around 550 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Australia
• The head of a LGA is called a mayor
• Operate under state government legislation and can only make rules (by-laws) on local issues
• Income comes from land rates
• Responsibilities include:
  • Recreational facilities
  • Local roads
  • Libraries
  • Recycling
  • Child care

NSW Courts Ranking

Inferior Court: Local Court

• Presided over by a magistrate
• Deals with:
  • Less serious criminal offences (summary offences)
  • Civil cases involving damages up to $100,000
• Can imprison an offender for up to two years per offence, maximum of five years
• Hears bail applications, search and arrest warrants, and AVOs

Intermediate Court: District Court

• Presided over by a judge
• Deals with:
  • More serious criminal offences (indictable offences)
  • Civil cases involving damages up to $750,000
  • Motor vehicle accidents
• A jury of 12 people is used to reach a verdict

Superior Court: Supreme Court

• Most senior court
• Deals with:
  • Most serious civil and criminal cases (e.g. treason, murder, serious sexual assault)
• Can impose a wide range of sentences
• Presided over by the Chief Justice

Federal Courts

• Handle matters involving federal law, including:
  • Family law
  • Taxation
  • Immigration
  • Copyright
  • Companies

High Court

• Deals with:
  • Appeals from state or territory Supreme Courts
  • Cases concerning interpretations of the constitution
• Can create laws or out rule laws
• Final verdicts can affect the entire country
• Made up of seven judges: the Chief Justice and six Justices

Special Courts

Children's Court

• Deals with criminal cases concerning children and young people who committed offences under the age of 18

Coroner's Court

• Deals with cases of deaths by unnatural causes, figuring out dates, time, information, etc.

Family Court

• Deals with family law matters

This quiz covers the structure and roles of the Australian government, including the federal, state, and local governments. It also touches on the responsibilities of the federal government.