AustraliaAustralia

PoliticsPolitics

Intro: Different Intro: Different PerspectivesPerspectives

A basic commitment to differenceA basic commitment to difference

different interpretations of the world different interpretations of the world and lifeand life

Objectivity through understanding Objectivity through understanding and respect of differenceand respect of difference

Pluralist theory of powerPluralist theory of power

Australian Political Australian Political SystemSystem

““Washminster” form of polityWashminster” form of polity Federation, 3-tier + Prime Minister (GoFederation, 3-tier + Prime Minister (Go

vernor-General, the Cabinet…)vernor-General, the Cabinet…) ““Federal parliamentary democracy”Federal parliamentary democracy” Constitution (1901) — British ParliameConstitution (1901) — British Parliame

ntary tradition + elements of the US syntary tradition + elements of the US systemstem

Federal GovernmentFederal Government

LegislatureLegislature bicameral parliament – the House of Rbicameral parliament – the House of R

epresentatives + the Senateepresentatives + the Senate power of eachpower of each election and termelection and term solution of disagreementsolution of disagreement

ExecutiveExecutive

Governor-GeneralGovernor-General

Federal Executive CouncilFederal Executive Council

ministers and the prime minister ministers and the prime minister (the Cabinet)(the Cabinet)

appointment of the prime ministerappointment of the prime minister

The Hon John Howard MP Former Prime Minister

Hu Jintao Meets with Former Australian Governor-General Michael Jeffery

Australia's Former Governor-General Michael Jeffery

Her Excellency Ms Quentin Bryce, AC Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia

AC –companion of the Order of Australia （澳大利亚勋章 ）（澳大利亚所独有的显职封号）

Kevin Michael Rudd ( 陆克文 ) was sworn in as the 26th Prime Minister of Australia on 3 December 2007.

JudiciaryJudiciary

the High Court of Australiathe High Court of Australia

7 justices (incl. a chief justice)7 justices (incl. a chief justice)

federal courts and state courtsfederal courts and state courts

Political parties, health and welfare, dPolitical parties, health and welfare, defense, etcefense, etc

Australian Labor Party (ALP) (ruling) Australian Labor Party (ALP) (ruling) Coalition– the Liberal Party of Australia Coalition– the Liberal Party of Australia

(LP) + National Party of Australia (NP)(LP) + National Party of Australia (NP)(leading opposition)(leading opposition)

DEM and GRN, etcDEM and GRN, etc

a comprehensive social-security a comprehensive social-security systemsystem

Royal Australian Army, Navy and Air Royal Australian Army, Navy and Air ForceForce

Advantages of PluralismAdvantages of Pluralism

Two-party systemTwo-party system Transparency and accountabilityTransparency and accountability Opposition party and alternative Opposition party and alternative

governmentgovernment Citizens’ power through general Citizens’ power through general

electionelection

Form of government

Federal parliamentary democracy

Head of stateGovernor-general, representing the British monarch

Head of government

Prime minister

Legislature

Bicameral legislature:House of Representatives, 150 membersSenate, 76 senators

Voting qualifications

Universal and compulsory at age 18

Constitution9 July 1900, effective 1 January 1901

Highest court High Court of Australia

Government of Australia