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Australia Government
Government
Australia is part of the British Commonwealth recognizing the British monarch as head of state with a governor general who is a direct link to England. Each state has a governor appointed by the Queen of England. Each of the six states has its own regional government since all six united to form one country in 1901. Every state is led by the leader of the political party with the majority membership in the lower house of its state government.
Australia is a democracy with its own constitution drawn up in the 1890's and ratified by every state. Under its constitution the government has power over taxes, defense, foreign policy, pensions, immigration and other typical government activities. Each state has autonomy over its regional matters. The constitution can only be amended if each house in the federal government allows a national referendum. The results of the referendum must provide a majority in a minimum of four states. Since 1901, this procedure has been successful in just eight times.
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