Advance Australia Fair by Peter Dodds McCormick's became Australia's national anthem on April 19 1983 Australians had been trying to make up their mind for more then a hundred and sixty years in finally making up their minds in getting away from the British anthem God save the Queen. Advance Australia Fair was originally performed in Sydney in 1878 and was also sung at the inauguration of the Commonwealth of Australia by a choir of 10,000 singers.
Prior to 1984, Australia's national anthem was the Royal anthem God Save the Queen. The Labor Party sought to change this to reflect a more "Australian" anthem, as it consolidated its independence from England. A national ballot was held, and Advance Australia Fair was the winning choice.
The head of the Federal government in Australia is known as the Prime Minister. Currently (2011) the Prime Minister is Julia Gillard.
Australia's government is a federal parliamentary democracy, with the head of government given the title of Prime Minister.Australia has a constitutional monarchy based on the UK system with HM Queen Elizabeth II as Head of State.In 1999, a referendum in Australia showed that the majority of citizens were against abolishing the monarchy and becoming a republic, with a President leading the country.
The Queen would not be able to sack the PM without the support of parliament (the majority of which would be made up of the PM's party). However, parliament can remove the royal family if they wish to.
Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom
After a Public Opinon poll in 1974, the then Prime Minister, Gough Whitlam, announced that "Advance Australia Fair" would be Australia's new National Anthem, the tune suggested and favoured by his wife Margaret. This change was short-lived and we returned to "God Save the Queen". A further National Poll in 1977 chose "Advance Australia Fair" as the new National Anthem again, with 2.9 million votes. Finally, "Advance Australia Fair" was proclaimed as the new Australian National Anthem on the 19th of April, 1984.
Prior to 1984, Australia's national anthem was the Royal anthem God Save the Queen. The Labor Party sought to change this to reflect a more "Australian" anthem, as it consolidated its independence from England. A national ballot was held, and Advance Australia Fair was the winning choice.
Queen Elizabeth II is the Head of State for all of Australia. The actual government in Western Australia is run by the Premier.
Queen Elizabeth 2
Each of the states in Australia has a Governor who is the Queen's representative.The Queen's representative in the federal parliament is the Governor-General.
Prior to 1984, Australia's national anthem was the Royal anthem God Save the Queen. The Labor Party sought to change this to reflect a more "Australian" anthem, as it consolidated its independence from England. A ballot was held, and Advance Australia Fair was the winning choice.
Australia has a "Constitutional Monarchy", in that our elected government appoints a representative of the Queen to oversee Government. This representative is the Governor General. Our "Monarch", the Queen of Australia, (Queen of England) is a Constitutional figurehead only, and plays no part in Government.
Advance Australia Fair was adopted as the National anthem of Australia on 19 April 1984. The original version of 'Advance Australia Fair' had been written by Peter Dodds McCormick in 1878.Prior to 1984, Australia's national anthem was the Royal anthem God Save the Queen. The Labor Party sought to change this to reflect a more "Australian" anthem, as it consolidated its independence from England. A ballot was held, and Advance Australia Fair was the winning choice.
"Advance Australia Fair" was officially named the national anthem on the 19th of April, 1984. Up until then, God Save The Queen was our official anthem.
Prime Minister and Queen run the country
Australia has just one official national anthem: Advance Australia Fair.
The head of the Federal government in Australia is known as the Prime Minister. Currently (2011) the Prime Minister is Julia Gillard.