The
bicameral Federal Parliament holds legislative power,
both chambers are chosen by universal adult suffrage. The 76 member
Senate serves a 6 year term, while the House of Representatives
is voted in every 3 years.
The Prime Minister is the leader of the largest
party in the Lower House and uses executive power at the head of
a Cabinet of Ministers.
The Queen of England is officially head of state,
represented locally by a Governor General. Each of Australia’s
6 states also has its own directly elected legislature, enjoying
considerable autonomy in areas such as health, education and transport
policy. |
