What is the Australian Federal Government responsible for?

Answer 1

Responsibilities of the Federal and state governments in Australia

Federal:

Australia operates under a Federal parliamentary democracy, based on a constitution, so it is also sometimes referred to as a constitutional monarchy. The Australian government is based on the British system, which is the Westminster system of parliament, and consists of the House of Representatives (the Lower House) and the Senate (the Upper House). The lower house is chosen by the voters in electorates. The senate is chosen by voters in the states.

In Australia, although the Queen seems little more than a figurehead, she approves the appointing of the Governor General on the advice of the Prime Minister. The Governor General is the Queen's representative in Australia, and his/her powers include appointing ambassadors, ministers and judges, giving Royal Assent to legislation, issuing writs for elections and bestowing honours. The Governor-General is also Commander-in-Chief of the Australian Defence Force. Whilst the Governor-General usually acts only on the advice of the Prime Minister, his/her reserve powers can be exercised over that of the Prime Minister, in extreme situations.

The Federal government oversees the following areas:

• telecommunications
• Immigration, customs and border security
• employment
• welfare
• airports
• income tax
• defence
• education

State:

Each of the states of Australia, and the Northern Territory, has its own state government. Areas covered by the state governments include:

• health
• education
• Law and Order (state courts and police)
• emergency services, e.g. fire, ambulance, SES
• public transport
• housing
• water
• tourism
• sport and recreation
• environment and wildlife protection
• roads and motor registration
• mining and Natural Resources

Answer 2

Each of the states of Australia, and the Northern Territory, has its own state government. The laws are there to complement those of the Federal government which relate specifically to the residents of that state.

Areas covered by the state governments include:

• health
• education
• law and order (state courts and police)
• emergency services, e.g. fire, ambulance, SES
• public transport
• housing
• water
• tourism
• sport and recreation
• environment and wildlife protection
• roads and motor registration
• mining and natural resources