In practice, the role of head of state of Australia is divided between two people, the Queen of Australia and the Governor-General of Australia, who is appointed by the Queen on the advice of the Prime Minister of Australia. As of February 2020[update], the current Government is led by Prime Minister Scott Morrison, the leader of the Liberal Party of Australia in Coalition with the National Party of Australia, led by Michael McCormack. Section 1 of the Australian Constitution creates a democratic legislature, the bicameral Parliament of Australia which consists of the monarch and two chambers of parliament, the Senate and the House of Representatives. Minister for Finance. Please update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information. These are rarely exercised, but during the Australian constitutional crisis of 1975 Governor-General Sir John Kerr used them independently of the Queen and the Prime Minister. However, it serves as the practical expression of the Federal Executive Council, which is Australia's highest formal governmental body. [10] There are Commonwealth Parliament Offices in each State Capital, with those in Sydney located in Phillip Street. Minister for Infrastructure and Transport and Regional Development Shadow ministers are members of the opposition, chosen by the Leader of the Opposition. In 1996 this was modified by the Howard government, whereby two portfolio Ministers, one being the Attorney-General, were not members of Cabinet, and one portfolio had two Cabinet Ministers. Section 61 of the Constitution provides that 'The executive power of the Commonwealth is vested in the Queen and is exercisable by the Governor‑General as the Queen's representative, and extends to the execution and maintenance of this Constitution, and of the laws of the Commonwealth'. [4] As a founding member of the Commonwealth and a former British colony before Federation in 1901, Australia's Constitution is influenced heavily by the British Westminster system of government, as well as the United States Constitution. Senator the Hon. The Prime Minister has a discretion to advise the Governor-General to call an election for the House of Representatives at any time, but Senate elections can only be held within certain periods prescribed in the Constitution. All remaining responsibilities are retained by the six states (previously separate colonies). Let us know what you think of this page. Ministers and the Public Service are answerable to Parliament. Between 1907 and 2007, Labor Prime Ministers exercised a predominant influence over who was elected to Labor ministries, although the leaders of the party factions also exercised considerable influence. Senator the Hon. Minister for Government Services This is the main decision-making group within executive government. This list of Australian government entities is of Australian Ministers, government departments, bureaus and commissions, authorities, corporations and other entities, which are grouped into a number of areas of portfolio responsibility. Minister for Regional Health, Regional Communications and Local Government The Hon Mark Coulton MP Minister for Decentralisation and Regional Education Minister Assisting the Minister for Trade and Investment The Hon Andrew Gee MP Assistant Treasurer Minister for Housing The Hon Michael Sukkar MP Minister for International Development and the Pacific Assistant Minister for Defence The Hon Alex Hawke MP Minister for Aged Care and Senior Australians Minister for Youth and Sport Senator the Hon … (Manager of Government Business in the Senate) Senator the Hon Anne Ruston. [14], Until the passage of the Australia Act 1986, and associated legislation in the Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, some Australian cases could be referred to the British Judicial Committee of the Privy Council for final appeal. Section 51 of the Constitution provides for the Australian Government's legislative powers and allocates certain powers and responsibilities (known as "heads of power") to the Federal Government. Senator the Hon Jane Hume, Assistant Minister for Finance, Charities and Electoral Matters [7] In practice, the role of head of state of Australia is divided between two people, the Queen of Australia and the Governor-General of Australia, who is appointed by the Queen on the advice of the Prime Minister of Australia. The following corporations are prescribed by Acts of Parliament: The following corporate Commonwealth entities are prescribed as Government Business Enterprises (GBEs) by section 5(1) of the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability (PGPA) Rule: The following Commonwealth companies are prescribed as GBEs by section 5(2) of the PGPA Rule: This article is about the federal government of Australia. 02 6277 7070 . Any member of parliament can hold the government to account by examining the work of any minister and their department. The Parliament of Australia can propose changes to the Constitution. Though in many respects th… Minister for Housing Mr Tarzia was celebrated in the SA Liberal Party for defeating long-time Labor member Grace Portelesi at the 2014 election and seeing off a challenge by former senator Nick Xenophon in 2018. All members of the Cabinet are members of the Executive Council. The PEO acknowledges the traditional owners of country throughout Australia and their continuing The Prime Minister and ministers are part of the executive government. This list of Australian government entities is of Australian Ministers, government departments, bureaus and commissions, authorities, corporations and other entities, which are grouped into a number of areas of portfolio responsibility.