Key Features of the Westminster System (1)

Question 1

WHAT IS THE WESTMINSTER SYSTEM?

Answer 1

Style of government based on the British system of government that Australia has adopted due to its historical ties with Britain.
The Westminster System is also known as “responsible government”.
The concept of a government being responsible and accountable to Parliament and through Parliament, to the people.

Question 2

KEY FEATURES OF AUSTRALIA’S WESTMINSTER SYSTEM

Answer 2

1. A monarch as head of state – represented by the Governor-General.
2. An electedParliament, made up of two houses (bicameral).
3. Agovernmentis formed by the political party or coalition that has majority support in the Lower House of Parliament and thePrime Ministeris the head of government.
4. Acabinet, drawn from government members of Parliament.
5. An independentjudiciary.
6. Unelected, non-political professional civil servants.

Question 3

THE MONARCH

Answer 3

Our monarch is the king or queen of Britain.
The monarch is represented in the country by the Governor-General who carries out their duties in the country on their behalf.
The monarch’s role is mainly ceremonial and through the Governor-General exercises little real power, except in rare circumstances.

Question 4

2. ELECTED PARLIAMENT

Answer 4

Part of the legislative arm of the government – it ‘makes’ laws.

Australia is a representative democracy – we elect our representatives to Parliament.

Roles of the elected parliament are :
To represent the views and beliefs of the people in their electorate.
To make laws based on those views and beliefs.

Question 5

THE GOVERNMENT AND PRIME MINISTER

Answer 5

Government is formed by the party or coalition of parties that has majority support in the House of Representatives.

The prime minster
By convention, is the person who is the leader of the party or coalition with majority support in the House of Representatives.
In Australia, we do not directly vote for the Prime Minister – they are voted in as a member for their electorate.
Has no term limit and can keep their job as long as they are a member of parliament and can keep the support of government.
Is the most powerful person in parliament and their role is to oversee the day-to-day running of the government.

Question 6

CABINET

Answer 6

Cabinet is the top decision making group within the Australian government and includes the Prime Minister and about 19 ministers.
The role of cabinet is to discuss solutions to national problems and to present bills prepared by government departments to the Parliament.

Question 7

INDEPENDENT JUDICIARY

Answer 7

In Australia, the judiciary contains courts at both federal and state levels.

Federal judges areappointed by the Governor-General,
Selected by Cabinet on advice of the Attorney-General (a minister responsible for law.)

Under the separation of powers, the judiciary must remain independent so that it can act as a check and balance to the executive and legislative branches.
This is important – judicial officers act independently and without interference from the Parliament or the executive.

The role of the judiciary is to interpret and apply laws impartially and fairly, both for leaders and other citizens.

Question 8

PUBLIC SERVANTS

Answer 8

The Australian Public Service isthe federal civil service of Australia and are employed by the Commonwealth Government.

They are apolitical – they serve the people and the government, not a political party or political movement.

They include: Defence Force personnel, government business enterprise employees, parliamentary staff, Australian Federal Police staff and public servants under other Commonwealth agency-specific legislation.

The role of public servants is implementation of government policy, administration of laws, public policy, and public services of the departments and executive and statutory agencies of the Government of Australia.