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Proclaimed a constitutional monarchy, Australia’s government has a federal division of powers within the state. The Queen of Australia – Queen Elisabeth II is the head of the parliament, even though she resides in the UK. The Governor-General is the main representative of the Queen and, along with state-level Governors, constitute the Queen’s viceroys. There are three main branches in the Federal Government: the legislature branch, the executive branch and the judiciary branch.

The legislature branch is composed out of the Parliament, which itself encompasses the Queen, under representation by the Governor-General, the Senate and the House of Representatives. The executive branch holds the Federal Executive Council, run by the Governor General who is advised by the Prime Minister and the Council. Last, but not least, the judiciary branch holds the High Court of Australia where judges appointed by the Governor General preside. The Governor General is advised by the Council in appointing the judges of the High Court.

Most of Australia uses the preferential voting system when it comes to elections. In Australia, voting is compulsory and if people don’t show up, they are risking fines and community services. The House of Representatives is where the Prime Minister is chosen from, based on the party that holds the majority support of the population. The party’s leader becomes Prime Minister but if no party has the majority support, the Governor General has the obligation of appointing one. The Governor General also has the power to dismiss a Prime Minister if he deems it that the party who represents him has lost majority support.

The Australian Labor Party and the Coalition hold the majority of support out of the present political groups. The Coalition encompasses the Liberal and National Parties and is considered center-right, while the Labor Party is center-left. There are certain areas within Australia which have a tendency to be more conservative, others which have a liberal tendency and New South Wales is often regarded as a moderate state between the two.