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Politics of Politics of AustraliaAustralia

A Presentation from Katharina HarnischA Presentation from Katharina Harnisch

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In generalIn general

- Australia never had a „declaration of independence“ - Australia never had a „declaration of independence“

- it was a process that Australia got its independence - it was a process that Australia got its independence

- immigration dressed the way to become a nation - immigration dressed the way to become a nation

- from “nation to independence“ - from “nation to independence“

- all Australian institutions are based on those of Britain - all Australian institutions are based on those of Britain

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Short reviewShort review

- Britain had the control on foreign affairs, advocacy and external trade - in 1898 the colonies planned a federation of the Australian states

- Republicans flourished in 1890s: many Australians wanted a republic (ARM = Australian Republican Movement started)

- 1. Jan. 1901: Commonwealth of Australia (= federation of the states)

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- 1986: Australian Act = Australia got the rights for self-government by Britain

- queen backed the „republic of Australia“ (royal seal of approval)

- republicans against conservatives

- 1999: Australia voted with 55% for the monarchy

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TodayToday

- federal constitutional monarchy - federal constitutional monarchy

- top of the constitutional system: Queen of England - top of the constitutional system: Queen of England

- on federal level: bicameral system: - on federal level: bicameral system: Senate, House of representatives Senate, House of representatives

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Legislature: Legislature: Government Departments Government Departments Commonwealth Parliament: Commonwealth Parliament: According to the constitution of According to the constitution of Australia Australia executive: executive: federal executive power = federal executive power = Governour-General, Governour-General, government Departments government Departments judiciary: judiciary: High court of Australia and High court of Australia and other federal courts other federal courts

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- every state has its own parliament (largely own - every state has its own parliament (largely own legislation) legislation)

- party with majority support forms government and its - party with majority support forms government and its leader becomes Prime Minister leader becomes Prime Minister

- Prime Minister: head of government, receives commission - Prime Minister: head of government, receives commission by the General Governour by the General Governour

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- major political groups: Australian Labor Party, opposition: - major political groups: Australian Labor Party, opposition: Liberal Party + National Party Liberal Party + National Party

- others are: the Greens, Australian Democrats - others are: the Greens, Australian Democrats

- Voting is compulsory - Voting is compulsory

- ARM is still active today - ARM is still active today

Other informationsOther informations

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Australia and BritainAustralia and Britain

political ties with Britain are still very strong: political ties with Britain are still very strong:

- Australia and Britain are members of the „Commonwealth of Nations“

- Australia is influenced by british culture

- a long trade relationship; still today

- Britain: largest investor in Australian manufacturing industry (means: many jobs)

- Defence relationship

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Australia and AsiaAustralia and Asia

- long history of engagement - long history of engagement

- relationship has many aspects: politic, economic, - relationship has many aspects: politic, economic, social,culture, military, security social,culture, military, security

- Asia takes over 50% of Australia´s exports - Asia takes over 50% of Australia´s exports

- Asialink and AustralAsiaCenter- Asialink and AustralAsiaCenter

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Information source: Information source:

http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australien#Weg_zur_Nationhttp://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australien#Weg_zur_Nation

http://www.petra.ac.id/asc/int_relations/australia_asia/http://www.petra.ac.id/asc/int_relations/australia_asia/

http://www.petra.ac.id/asc/int_relations/australia_europe/australia_britain/http://www.petra.ac.id/asc/int_relations/australia_europe/australia_britain/

http://www.nmun-berlin.de/index.php?id=230http://www.nmun-berlin.de/index.php?id=230

Australia IAustralia I

The New SummitThe New Summit