100-480: The Australian Wool Board was an Australian Government statutory board that existed in its first phase between May 1936 and January 1945; in its second phase between June 1945 and June 1953; and in its third and final phase, between May 1963 and December 1972. The first Wool Board, in 1936, together with the Wool Boards of New Zealand and South Africa decided to form an organisation to promote wool, to meet
200-496: A cabinet reshuffle . Cabinet meetings are strictly private and occur once a week where vital issues are discussed and policy formulated. The cabinet is not a legal entity; it exists solely by convention. Its decisions do not in and of themselves have legal force. However, it serves as the practical expression of the Federal Executive Council , which is Australia's highest formal governmental body. In practice,
300-540: A governor in each of the Australian states, who themselves appoint executive bodies, as well as people to fill casual Senate vacancies , if the relevant state parliament is not in session. The state governors continue to serve as the direct representatives of the monarch, in no way subordinate to the governor-general, and they carry out on his behalf all of the monarch's constitutional and ceremonial duties in respect of their respective state. The Northern Territory and
400-483: A sovereign and under established principles of international law , the monarch of Australia is not subject to suit in foreign courts without his express consent. The prerogative of mercy lies with the monarch, and is exercised in the state jurisdictions by the governors. In accordance with the Australia Act 1986 , the sovereign has the power to appoint, on advice tendered by the relevant state premier ,
500-479: A combination of written and unwritten rules, comprising the sovereign, governors , and governor-general . The Constitution does not mention the term head of state . According to the Parliament of Australia website, Australia's head of state is the monarch and its head of government is the prime minister, with powers limited by both law and convention for government to be carried on democratically. However,
600-474: A constitutional — rather than a statutory — perspective, the fundamental criterion of membership [of the Australian body-politic] is allegiance to the Queen of Australia". However, the precise relationship and relative importance of constitutional and statutory definitions of "the people" is the subject of evolving interpretations of the court. Key features of Australia's system of government include its basis on
700-629: A format for Queen Elizabeth II 's title that would name all the realms. However, they stated they would also accept Elizabeth II (by the Grace of God) of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, [name of realm], and all of her other Realms and Territories Queen, Head of the Commonwealth (Defender of the Faith) . The latter composition was adopted, despite some objections from
800-406: A particular ministry, which traditionally included a promise of allegiance to the monarch. However, the wording of this oath or affirmation is not written into law and beginning with swearing in of Paul Keating , all Labor prime ministers have dropped the reference to the sovereign. The oath of citizenship similarly contained a statement of allegiance to the reigning monarch until 1994, when
900-526: A pledge of allegiance to Australia and its values was introduced. However, the importance of allegiance to the monarch has been stressed by several justices in the context of determining whether a person is an "alien" for the purposes of section 51 the Constitution . For example, Justice Callinan held in Re Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs; Ex parte Te (2002) that "judged from
1000-481: A symbol of the legal authority under which all governments and agencies operate. Still, the royal prerogative belongs to the Crown, not to any of the ministers, and the governor-general may unilaterally use these powers in exceptional situations , such as when, during the constitutional crisis in 1975 , Sir John Kerr dismissed prime minister Gough Whitlam , on the occasion of a stalemate over government funding between
1100-568: Is a constitutional monarchy , modelled on the Westminster system of parliamentary democracy , while incorporating features unique to the constitution of Australia . The present monarch is King Charles III , who has reigned since 8 September 2022. The monarch is represented at the federal level by the governor-general (currently Samantha Mostyn ), in accordance with the Australian constitution and letters patent from his mother and predecessor, Queen Elizabeth II . Similarly, in each of
SECTION 10
#17327973084371200-518: Is a role which exists by constitutional convention, rather than by law. They are appointed to the role by the governor-general (the representative of the monarch of Australia ). The governor-general normally appoints the parliamentary leader who commands the confidence of a majority of the members of the House of Representatives. Also by convention, the prime minister is a member of the lower house. The prime minister and their sworn ministers form
1300-411: Is also crowned at a coronation ceremony in the United Kingdom; though, this is not necessary for a sovereign to reign, being primarliy a symbolic event. For example, Edward VIII was never crowned, yet was undoubtedly king during his short time on the throne. After an individual ascends the throne, he or she typically continues to reign until death. The monarch legally cannot unilaterally abdicate ;
1400-423: Is both legal and practical. The sovereign of Australia is represented in the federal sphere by the governor-general—appointed by the monarch on the advice of the prime minister of Australia —and in each state by a governor —appointed by the monarch upon the advice of the relevant state premier. One of the main duties of the governor-general is to appoint the prime minister. This is, in accordance with convention ,
1500-454: Is executive or legislative is determined on a case-by-case basis, and involves the weighing up of various factors, rather than the application of a strict test. As most executive power is granted by statute, the executive power of the government is similarly limited to those areas in which the Commonwealth is granted the power to legislate under the constitution (primarily under section 51 ). They also retain certain powers traditionally part of
1600-772: Is flown when the King is visiting Australia from all buildings, cars, boats or aircraft that he occupies. The flag features the six quarters of the Commonwealth Coat of Arms, surrounded by an ermine border which represents the Commonwealth of Australia. As in other Commonwealth realms, the King's Official Birthday is a public holiday and, in Australia, is observed on the second Monday in June in all states and territories , except Queensland and Western Australia. In Queensland, it
1700-500: Is represented by the Mace of the House (which also represents the authority of the house itself and its Speaker ). However, neither the sovereign nor the governor-general participate in the legislative process save for the granting of royal assent . Further, the constitution outlines that the governor-general alone is responsible for summoning, proroguing , and dissolving the federal parliament. All laws in Australia, except those in
1800-482: Is that while legislative power involves setting down rules of general application, executive power involves applying those rules to specific situations. In practice, however, this definition is difficult to apply as many actions by executive agencies are wide-ranging, binding and conducted independently of Parliament. The executive can also be delegated legislative power through provisions allowing for statutory instruments and Henry VIII clauses . Ultimately whether power
1900-412: Is the body that formally advises the governor-general in the exercise of executive power. Decisions of the body give legal effect to decisions already deliberated at cabinet. All current and formers ministers are members of the council, although only current ministers are summoned to meetings. The governor-general usually presides at council meetings, but in his or her absence another minister nominated as
2000-463: Is unclear however whether for each state there is also a distinct Crown, separate from the Crown of Australia. In other words, the monarch may also be king of Victoria, etc. for each of the states. Prior to the passage of the Australia Act , the monarch acted as sovereign of the United Kingdom at the state level. With that Act's passage, either independent Crowns emerged for each of the states or
2100-695: The Anzac Day ceremonies at Gallipoli , or when Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Charles, and Princess Anne participated in Australian ceremonies for the anniversary of D-Day in France in 2004. Members of the royal family will sometimes make private donations to Australian charities or causes, such as when Elizabeth II made a private donation to the Australian Red Cross Appeal after the Blue Mountains bushfires in 2009. Section 68 of
SECTION 20
#17327973084372200-579: The Australian Capital Territory (ACT), are enacted only with the granting of royal assent, done by the governor-general, relevant state governor, or administrator in the case of the Northern Territory (NT). This is done in the federal context by the governor-general signing two copies of the bill. If the law is one in which takes effect on proclamation , the governor-general will also make this proclamation to which
2300-480: The Australian Capital Territory resemble states in many respects, but are administered directly by the Commonwealth of Australia; an administrator , appointed by the governor-general upon the advice of the Commonwealth government, takes the place of a state governor in the Northern Territory. The Australian Capital Territory has no equivalent position. Official duties involve the sovereign representing
2400-655: The Australian Constitution says: "The command in chief of the naval and military forces of the Commonwealth is vested in the governor-general as the Queen's [monarch's] representative." In practice, however, the governor-general does not play any part in the Australian Defence Force's command structure other than following the advice of the Minister for Defence in the normal form of executive government. Australian naval vessels bear
2500-461: The Australian states the monarch is represented by a governor (assisted by a lieutenant-governor), according to the Australia Act and respective letters-patent and state constitutions. The monarch appoints the governor-general on the advice of the prime minister and the state governors on the advice of the respective premiers . These are the only mandatory constitutional functions of
2600-571: The Constitution of Australia is the "Government of the Commonwealth". This was the name used in many early federal government publications. However, in 1965 Robert Menzies indicated his preference for the name "Australian Government" in order to prevent confusion with the new Commonwealth of Nations . The Whitlam government legislated the use of "Government of Australia" in 1973 in line with its policy of promoting national goals and aspirations. However, academic Anne Twomey argues that
2700-585: The Great Seal of Australia is then affixed in authentication of the corresponding letters patent . Laws passed by the ACT and NT legislatures, unlike their state counterparts, are subject to the oversight of the government of Australia and can be disallowed by the Australian Parliament. The governor-general may reserve a bill for the King's (or Queen's) pleasure ; that is withhold his consent to
2800-597: The Statute of Westminster by the time of the abdication of Edward VIII in 1936, the UK Declaration of Abdication Act 1936 applied automatically without the need for Australia's consent. However, the Australian federal Parliament did pass a resolution of assent to the changes as a matter of courtesy. The most recent reforms to the succession occurred following the Perth Agreement in 2011, in which all
2900-813: The Woolmark trade mark in 1964 and owned it. In 1991, the functions of the AWC were divided between three newly established entities: the Australian Wool Realisation Commission (AWRC), the Australian Wool Corporation [II] and the Wool Research and Development Corporation (WRDC). AWRC continued to operate until 2002, with the main task being the liquidation of the wool stockpile arising from the failed Australian Wool Reserve Price Scheme . In December 1993,
3000-493: The advice of the prime minister, appoints the other ministers of state , a subset of which form the Cabinet . In accordance with the principles of responsible government , these ministers are, in turn, accountable to the Parliament and, through it, to the people. The monarch is informed by the governor-general of the acceptance of the resignation of a prime minister and the swearing-in of a new prime minister and other members of
3100-411: The cabinet , the key decision-making organ of the government that makes policy and decides the agenda of the government. Members of the government can exercise both legislative power (through their control of the parliament) and executive power (as ministers on behalf of the governor-general and the monarch). However, in accordance with responsible government , and to ensure accountability, actions of
Australian Wool Board - Misplaced Pages Continue
3200-815: The front bench . This practice has been continued by all governments except the Whitlam government . The prime minister's power to select the ministry differs depending on their party. When the Liberal Party and its predecessors (the Nationalist Party and the United Australia Party ) have been in coalition with the National Party or its predecessor the Country Party , the leader of the junior Coalition party has had
3300-407: The royal prerogative , such as the power to declare war and enter into treaties. Finally, there exists certain "nationhood powers", implied from section 61 of the Constitution . These were defined by High Court Justice Anthony Mason , as powers "peculiarly adapted to the government of a nation and which cannot otherwise be carried on for the benefit of the nation". They have been found to include
3400-540: The state at home or abroad, or other royal family members participating in a government-organised ceremony either in Australia or elsewhere. The sovereign and their family have participated in events such as various centennials and bicentennials; Australia Day ; the openings of Olympic and other games; award ceremonies; D-Day commemorations; anniversaries of the monarch's accession; and the like. Other royals have participated in Australian ceremonies or undertaken duties abroad, such as Charles III , then Prince Charles, at
3500-632: The vice-president of the Executive Council presides at the meeting of the council. Since 1 June 2022, the vice-president has been senator Katy Gallagher . As of 17 August 2024 , there are 16 departments of the Australian Government. Additionally, there are four departments which support the Parliament of Australia : The following corporations are prescribed by Acts of Parliament: As of March 2024 ,
3600-656: The 1953 Royal Titles and Styles Bill to allow Elizabeth to give her assent in person, which she did at Government House in Canberra on 19 October 1973. At the state level, Western Australia and South Australia have independently legislated the monarch's title to be the same as the Commonwealth title. There is limited reference to the monarch's title in the other states, however parliamentarians have used expressions include "Queen of [state]" and "Queen in right of [state]" during parliamentary debates. In 1973, Queensland sought to pass legislation to include Queensland specifically in
3700-508: The Australian Commonwealth, the monarch is advised solely by Australian federal ministers of state . Likewise, on all matters relating to any Australian state, the monarch is advised by the ministers of that state, tendered via the premier. Courts and academics have proposed several dates on which the Crown of Australia separated from the Crown of the United Kingdom. These include 1926, when at an Imperial Conference it
3800-523: The Australian Government. The objectives of the third Wool Board were: The Australian Wool Bureau existed between July 1953 and May 1963. The Australian Wool Commission (AWC), created in November 1970, was replaced in January 1973 by the Australian Wool Corporation (AWC). The International Wool Secretariat (IWS) was an overseas extension of Wool Corporation and was merged into it. IWS had established
3900-484: The Australian Wool Corporation and WRDC were merged to form the Australian Wool Research and Promotion Organisation (AWRAP). AWRAP had two subsidiaries: IWS and Australian Wool Innovation Limited (AWI). In 1997, the name of IWS was changed to The Woolmark Company. Australian Wool Services Limited (AWS) was formed in 2001, and succeeded AWRAP. AWI was de-merged from AWS in 2002 and The Woolmark Company
4000-440: The Australian monarchy. The main symbol of the monarchy is the sovereign, and their image is used to signify Australian sovereignty. Queen Elizabeth II's portrait, for instance, currently appears on all Australian coins minted during her reign, the five-dollar banknote , and postage stamps such as the Queen's Birthday stamp, issued by Australia Post every year since 1980. All new coins bear King Charles III's portrait, however
4100-526: The Commonwealth realms agreed to changes including the removal of a preference towards male heirs and the repeal of the Royal Marriages Act 1772 (which amongst other things prevented the monarch from marrying a Roman Catholic). As the Australian federal Parliament does not have a head of power over succession, it required a referral legislation from each of the states. The Northern Territory also added its request and concurrence, although this
Australian Wool Board - Misplaced Pages Continue
4200-409: The Crown of Australia transformed into a federal Crown in which the monarch receives advice from both state and commonwealth ministers in exercising their respective powers. Such a distinction may be relevant if either Australia or an individual state wished to become a republic , as with separate crowns, a federal republic would not necessarily abolish the Crown at a state level. The formal title of
4300-617: The Federal Executive Council meets solely to endorse and give legal force to decisions already made by the cabinet. All members of the cabinet are members of the Executive Council. A senior member of the cabinet holds the office of vice-president of the Executive Council and acts as presiding officer of the Executive Council in the absence of the governor-general. The cabinet meets not only in Canberra but also in state capitals, most frequently Sydney and Melbourne. Kevin Rudd
4400-529: The House of Representatives and the Senate. The only role the monarch must perform personally is appoint the governor-general. Additionally, assent for a bill may be reserved for the pleasure of the monarch, allowing them to exercise their judgement on whether to give assent. The monarch has also been personally involved in issuing letters-patent for the creation of Australian honours . Members of various executive agencies and other officials are appointed by
4500-475: The Order. The sovereign is further both mentioned in and the subject of songs and loyal toasts. Australia inherited the royal anthem " God Save the King " (alternatively, "God Save the Queen" in the reign of a female monarch) from the United Kingdom. It was the national anthem of Australia until 1984, and has since been retained as the country's royal anthem, its use generally restricted to official occasions where
4600-693: The Royal Family are ever appointed to these ranks. Additionally, some members of the royal family are Colonels-in-Chief of Australian regiments, including: the Royal Regiment of Australian Artillery ; Royal Australian Army Medical Corps ; the Royal Australian Armoured Corps and the Royal Australian Corps of Signals , amongst many others. Royal symbols are the visual and auditory identifiers of
4700-561: The South African and Canadian governments. The sovereign's title in all her realms thus kept mention of the United Kingdom, but, for the first time, also separately mentioned Australia and the other Commonwealth realms. The passage of the Royal Style and Titles Act 1953 by the Parliament of Australia put these recommendations into law. In 1973 the Whitlam government replaced the 1953 royal styles Act, with Whitlam arguing that
4800-684: The UK Statute of Westminster was passed), 1939 or 1942 (due to Statute of Westminster Adoption Act , passed in 1942 with retrospective effect to 1939) or 1986 (when the Australia Acts severed the last possibilities of UK institutions changing Australian laws). However, members of the High Court have indicated that the separation of the Crowns was complete by at least 1948, as seen by the creation of Australian citizenship laws . It
4900-487: The actions of the Australian Defence Force , and negotiate and ratify treaties, alliances, and international agreements. The governor-general is empowered by the constitution to summon and prorogue parliament and call elections . Use of the royal prerogative does not require parliamentary approval. As such, the monarch's and the governor-general's roles are primarily symbolic and cultural, acting as
5000-493: The bill and present it to the sovereign for their personal decision. Under the constitution, the sovereign also has the power to disallow a bill within one year of the governor-general having granted royal assent. The purpose of this section was originally to allow the UK parliament to supervise the workings of the Commonwealth parliament, as this power would only be exercised by the monarch as advised by their British ministers. However,
5100-822: The case of Elizabeth II) are appointed to the highest ranks in each of the branches of the Defence Force. As of 2024, Charles III holds the Honorary Ranks of Admiral of the fleet of the Royal Australian Navy , Field Marshal of the Australian Army , and Marshal of the Royal Australian Air Force , these appointments where conferred by the Governor-General of Australia, bar two exceptions only members of
SECTION 50
#17327973084375200-615: The caucus regained this power in 2013. According to reporting by the Sydney Morning Herald , ministerial positions are allocated by the Left and Right factions proportionally according to their representation in the Parliament. The King is not involved with the day-to-day operations of the government, belonging (according to the Bagehot formulation) to the "dignified" rather than the "efficient" part of government. While
5300-598: The confidence of the lower house, are uncontroversial, others are subject to much greater debate. The most notable example of their use occurring in the Dismissal of 1975. In that case, the Governor-General Sir John Kerr dismissed the prime minister and government due to his conclusion that the government had failed to secure supply. The propriety of the use of the powers during that event remain highly contested. The Federal Executive Council
5400-544: The context of the Glorious Revolution . These laws were received alongside all other British laws to Australia when Australia was settled. Considering the colonial status of the individual colonies and later the federated Australia, it was accepted at the time that these laws could only be changed by the UK Parliament. Later, Australia and the other dominions gained greater legislative independence with
5500-571: The current monarch ( primogeniture ), with the restriction that an heir must be in communion with the Church of England and not a Roman Catholic to ascend the throne. These rules have evolved over centuries. The British statutes, the Bill of Rights 1689 and the Act of Settlement 1701 first limited succession to legitimate descendants of Sophia, Electress of Hanover and imposed religious requirements in
5600-687: The current monarch is King Charles the Third, by the Grace of God King of Australia and His other Realms and Territories, Head of the Commonwealth . Prior to 1953, the title of the Australian monarch had simply been the same as that in the United Kingdom . A change in the title resulted from occasional discussion among Commonwealth prime ministers and an eventual meeting in London in December 1952, at which Australia's officials stated their preference for
5700-464: The executive power of the Commonwealth is formally vested in the monarch, the Constitution requires those powers to be exercisable by a governor-general, appointed by the monarch as their representative (but since the appointing of Sir Isaac Isaacs in 1931, always appointed according to the advice of federal ministers, rather than British ministers). Members of the government do not exercise executive power of their own accord but are instead appointed by
5800-415: The following Corporate Commonwealth entities are prescribed as Government Business Enterprises (GBEs): The following Commonwealth companies are prescribed as GBEs: Monarchy of Australia [REDACTED] [REDACTED] The monarchy of Australia is a key component of Australia's form of government , by which a hereditary monarch serves as the country's sovereign and head of state . It
5900-473: The government in its executive capacity are subject to scrutiny from parliament. The Australian Government is headquartered in the executive wing of Parliament House , located in the nation's capital, Canberra , in the Australian Capital Territory . The head offices of all the federal departments are located in Canberra, along with Parliament House and the High Court . The name of the government in
6000-490: The government was also motivated by a desire to blur the differences between the Commonwealth and the states in an attempt to increase federal power. The Parliament of Australia website also notes that the name "Australian Government" is preferable in order to avoid confusion with the Commonwealth of Nations and the US federal government by those not familiar with Australia's system of government. This terminology remains preferred by
6100-471: The government. However, the terms Commonwealth Government and federal government are also common. In some contexts, the term "government" refers to all public agencies that exercise the power of the State , whether legislative, executive or judicial. The government's primary role, in its executive capacity, is to implement the laws passed by the parliament. However, laws are frequently drafted according to
SECTION 60
#17327973084376200-495: The governor-general as ministers, formally as the "Queen's [or King's] Ministers of State". As such, while government ministers make most major decisions in cabinet, if those decisions require the formal endorsement of the governor-general in council, those decisions do not have legal force until approved by the Federal Executive Council , which is presided over by the governor-general. Similarly, laws passed by both houses of parliament require royal assent before being enacted, as
6300-400: The governor-general is head of state. This view has some support within the group Australians for Constitutional Monarchy . Australia has a written constitution based on the Westminster model of government, implementing a federal system and a distinct separation of powers . It gives Australia a parliamentary system of government , wherein the role of the sovereign and governor-general
6400-399: The governor-general on behalf of the Federal Executive Council , which meets at Government House after the accession. Parallel proclamations are made by the governors in each state. Regardless of any proclamations, the late sovereign's heir immediately and automatically succeeds, without any need for confirmation or further ceremony. Following an appropriate period of mourning , the monarch
6500-444: The governor-general's website states that the office holder is in practice Australia's head of state. A leading textbook on Australian constitutional law formulates the position thus: "The Queen, as represented in Australia by the governor-general, is Australia's head of state." Additionally, Queensland and South Australia describe the monarch as the head of state for their particular state. New South Wales and Western Australia on
6600-410: The governor-general, including High Court judges . Ministers and parliamentary secretaries are also appointed to the Federal Executive Council . Royal commissions , a powerful type of public inquiry , are also commissioned by the Crown through a royal warrant . Parliament consists of the sovereign, the Senate and the House of Representatives . Their authority in the House of Representatives
6700-416: The growing challenge from synthetic fibres, which led to the formation in 1937 of the International Wool Secretariat . There have been other reorganisations of the management of the wool sector in Australia since. The functions of each of the three Boards varied, with third reincarnation having the widest powers that included the promotion of the use of wool and wool products in Australia and other countries;
6800-465: The inclusion and position of Elizabeth's title in the UK made the title not "sufficiently distinctively Australian" and that the phrase "Defender of the Faith" had "no historical or constitutional relevance in Australia". A new Royal Titles and Styles Bill that removed these references was passed by the federal Parliament. The governor-general, Sir Paul Hasluck , reserved royal assent for the monarch, as governor-general Sir William McKell had done with
6900-446: The individual most likely to maintain the support of the House of Representatives ; usually the leader of the political party with a majority in that house; but, also when no party or coalition holds a majority (referred to as a minority government situation) or other scenarios in which the governor‑general's judgement about the most suitable candidate for prime minister has to be brought into play. The governor-general also, on
7000-420: The interests of the executive branch as the government often also controls the legislative branch. Unlike the other two branches of government, however, membership of the executive is not clearly defined. One definition describes the executive as a pyramid, consisting of three layers. At the top stands the king, as the symbolic apex and formal repository of executive power. Below him lies a second layer made up of
7100-417: The ministry and the monarch holds audience with Australian ministers where possible. The prime minister and Cabinet advises the governor-general on how to execute his or her executive powers over all aspects of government operations and foreign affairs. This means ministers direct the use of the royal prerogative that resides in the monarch, which includes the privilege to declare war, maintain peace, direct
7200-434: The monarch is a constituent part of the Parliament. However, in all these cases, except for certain reserve powers, the King and the governor-general must follow the advice of the prime minister or other ministers in the exercise of his powers. Powers subject to the governor-general’s discretion are known as reserve powers. While certain reserve powers, such as the ability to choose the prime minister most likely to command
7300-492: The monarch of Australia. Australian constitutional law provides that the person who is monarch of the United Kingdom will also be the monarch of Australia. Since the 1940s at the latest, the Australian monarchy has been a distinct office and in that capacity, they act exclusively upon the advice of Australian state and federal ministers. Australia is one of the Commonwealth realms , 15 independent countries that share
7400-515: The monarch or a member of the royal family is present. His Majesty The King's Flag for Australia , approved on 30 August 2024 by Charles III, signifies his presence and is displayed when Charles is in Australia. The flag was first used during the 2024 royal visit. The flag is used in the same way as the Royal Standard in the United Kingdom. Where practical, when it is flown on or outside a building, no other flag should be flown with it and
7500-671: The monarch's title. The Queensland parliament passed legislation seeking an advisory opinion from the Privy Council as to whether they had the legislative power to do, however this legislation was declared unconstitutional by the High Court. In seeking this title, the Queensland government's motivation was to dissuade the British from accepting the Whitlam's government advice that all of the British government's then authority over
7600-400: The new five-dollar banknote is expected to depict Indigenous Australian culture and history instead of the new monarch. A crown is depicted on the Queensland and Victorian state badges (which are included on the Australian coat of arms , ) and on various medals and awards . For example, the crown's presence on the insignia of the Order of Australia represents the monarch's role as Head of
7700-415: The only Australian monarch to do so, Edward VIII, did so following the passage of British legislation. While the UK has passed regency acts from 1936 onwards to prepare for a situation when the monarch is incapacitated, the dominions did not agree for these acts to be extended into domestic law as it was felt that governors-general could exercise all the powers a regent would need to exercise. Members of
7800-412: The other hand describe their governors as their respective heads of state, whilst Tasmania and Victoria state that the governor "exercises the constitutional power" of the head of state. While current official sources use the description head of state for the monarch, in the lead up to the referendum on Australia becoming a republic in 1999, Sir David Smith proposed an alternative explanation that
7900-444: The outer ministry. Additionally, there are also assistant ministers (formally parliamentary secretaries ), responsible for a specific policy area, reporting directly to a cabinet minister. The cabinet consists of the prime minister and senior ministers and makes most of the important policy decisions of the government. Members of the cabinet are selected by the prime minister and may be added or removed at any time, usually through
8000-438: The passage of the Statute of Westminster 1931 ( adopted by Australia in 1939 ). While this allowed the dominions to pass laws that conflicted with UK laws, to ensure that succession laws remained consistent, the preamble noted that it would be in keeping with each Commonwealth realm's constitutional practice that any succession changes would require the consent of the parliaments of each realm. As Australia had not yet adopted
8100-468: The peace. This is in reciprocation to the sovereign's coronation oath, taken most recently by Charles III who promised "to govern the Peoples of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland [and] your other Realms ... according to their respective laws and customs". The prime minister, ministers and parliamentary secretaries also make an oath or affirmation of office on their appointment to
8200-512: The power to inquire into, and from time to time report upon the methods of marketing wool and any other matters connected with the marketing of wool; and such other functions as were conferred on the Board by the Australian Government or as approved by the Minister for Primary Industries . The activities of the Board were funded by a levy on woolgrowers first instituted to finance wool promotion activities in 1936 and later supplemented by funding from
8300-404: The power to provide financial stimulus payments to households during a financial crisis and the power to prevent "unlawful non-citizens" from entering the country . Ministers drawn from the Australian parliament form the core of the Australian Government. A subset of these ministers form the cabinet, the de facto highest executive body of the government. Ministers not part of cabinet belong to
8400-455: The power was never actually used and it is very unlikely that it will be used in the future. Traditionally, the monarch is known as the fount of justice . However, he does not personally rule in judicial cases, meaning that judicial functions are normally performed only in the monarch's name. In most jurisdictions, criminal offences are legally deemed to be offences against the sovereign and proceedings for indictable offences are brought in
8500-657: The prefix His Majesty's Australian Ship (HMAS) and many organisational groupings of the defence force (such as the Royal Australian Infantry Corps , Royal Australian Air Force and the Royal Australian Engineers ) carry the "royal" prefix. Members of the royal family have presided over military ceremonies, including Trooping the Colour ceremonies, inspections of the troops, and anniversaries of key battles. When Elizabeth II
8600-410: The prime minister would retain the right to allocate portfolios. This practice was followed until 2007. Between 1907 and 2007, Labor prime ministers exercised a predominant influence over who was elected to Labor ministries, although the leaders of the party factions also exercised considerable influence. However, in 2007 Prime Minister Kevin Rudd , assumed the power to choose the ministry alone. Later,
8700-445: The prime minister, cabinet and other ministers who in practice lead the executive. Finally, the bottom layer includes public servants , police, government departments and independent statutory bodies who directly implement policy and laws. Executive power is also difficult to clearly define. In the British context, it was defined by John Locke as all government power not legislative or judicial in nature. The key distinction
8800-601: The right to nominate their party's members of the Coalition ministry, and to be consulted by the prime minister on the allocation of their portfolios. When Labor first held office under Chris Watson , Watson assumed the right to choose members of his cabinet. In 1907, however, the party decided that future Labor cabinets would be elected by the members of the Parliamentary Labor Party, the Caucus , and
8900-410: The royal family only draw from Australian funds for support in the performance of their duties while visiting Australia at the request of the government; Australians do not pay any money to the King or any other member of the royal family, either towards personal income or to support royal residences outside of Australia. However, the Australian Government does pay a salary to the governor-general and for
9000-444: The same person as monarch and head of state . The monarch of Australia is the same person as the monarch of the 14 other Commonwealth realms within the 56-member Commonwealth of Nations . However, each realm is independent of the others, the monarchy in each being distinct from the rest. Effective with the Australia Act 1986 , no foreign government can advise the monarch on any matters pertinent to Australia; on all matters of
9100-497: The sovereign's name in the form of The King [or Queen] against [Name] (typically shortened to R v [Name] standing for Rex for King or Regina for Queen). However, offences in Western Australia and Tasmania are brought in the name of the particular state. Civil lawsuits against the Crown in its public capacity (that is, lawsuits against the government) are permitted due to statute. In international cases, as
9200-429: The states should be transferred to the federal government. The dismissal of the Whitlam government in 1975 removed the impetus for the title change and no further steps were taken in the matter. Royal succession is determined by a mix of common law, British law that continues to apply in Australia, and more recent Australian federal and state statutes. These entail that succession follows the eldest non-adopted child of
9300-546: The support of a majority of the members of the House of Representatives (the lower house) and also includes the departments and other executive bodies that ministers oversee. The current executive government consists of Anthony Albanese and other ministers of the Australian Labor Party (ALP), in office since the 2022 federal election . The prime minister is the head of the federal government and
9400-658: The upkeep of the official vice-regal residences in the country. In 2018, a day-long visit to Vanuatu by Charles (then the Prince of Wales), escorted by Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs , Julie Bishop , in between a tour of Queensland and the Northern Territory, was paid for by the Australian government. The governor-general has two official residences: Government House in Canberra (commonly known as Yarralumla ) and Admiralty House in Sydney . When HMY Britannia
9500-412: Was announced that governors-general would no longer represent the government of the United Kingdom or 1930, when at another Imperial Conference it was clarified that the monarch would be advised directly by dominion ministers. Anne Twomey argues for this later date at the latest. Others have suggested the Crowns separated once Australia became fully independent, with dates suggested including 1931 (when
9600-533: Was in Australian waters and in use by the monarch of Australia, it was not available to British officials for meetings or promotions. The monarch is the locus of many oaths of allegiance . Various employees of the Crown are required by law to recite this oath before taking their posts, such as all members of the Commonwealth Parliament and of the state and territory parliaments, as well as most magistrates, judges, police officers, and justices of
9700-708: Was in Canberra, she laid wreaths at the Australian War Memorial . In 2003, Elizabeth acted in her capacity as Australian monarch when she dedicated the Australian War Memorial in Hyde Park , London. In 2024, Charles III as part of his tour of Sydney and Canberra, laid wreaths at the Australian War Memorial, as well as presiding over a Royal Fleet Review of the Royal Australian Navy, in Sydney. Monarchs of Australia (or their spouse in
9800-498: Was in favour of the cabinet meeting in other places, such as major regional cities. There are Commonwealth Parliament Offices in each state capital, with those in Sydney located in 1 Bligh Street . Until 1956 all members of the ministry were members of the cabinet. The growth of the ministry in the 1940s and 1950s made this increasingly impractical, and in 1956 Robert Menzies created a two-tier ministry, with only senior ministers holding cabinet rank, also known within parliament as
9900-406: Was not constitutionally required. The federal legislation finally become law on 24 March 2015 and as Australia was the last realm to the make the required changes, the act took effect on 26 March 2015 ( BST ), parallel to other realms' laws. Upon a demise of the Crown (the death or abdication of a sovereign), it is customary for the accession of the new monarch to be publicly proclaimed by
10000-547: Was sold by AWS to AWI in 2007. Australian Government [REDACTED] [REDACTED] The Australian Government , also known as the Commonwealth Government or simply as the Federal government , is the national executive government of Australia, a federal parliamentary constitutional monarchy . The executive consists of the prime minister and other cabinet ministers that currently have
#436563