THE POLITICAL SYSTEM OF AUSTRALIA Australia is

THE POLITICAL SYSTEM OF AUSTRALIA

Australia is an independent country within the Commonwealth. It is a monarchy and a parliamentary democracy.

The Government consists of v Legislative branch v Executive branch v Judicial branch

Legislative branch v the Senate (76 seats) House of Representatives (150 seats)

Executive branch The head of the executive branch of government in Australia is the Prime Minister, now - Tony Abbott. The formal head of state is Queen of Australia, Elizabeth II.

Judicial branch The judicial arm of government is the hierarchy of courts headed by the Supreme Court (the ‘Judiciary’). The Chief Justice of Australia is the State’s chief judicial officer. v v the High Court the Federal Court

National symbols of Australia v v v Australian National Flag Australian National Anthem Australia's national colors Australia's floral emblem Australia's national gemstone Commonwealth Coat of Arms

Australian National Flag The Australian National Flag consists of three parts set on a blue field. The first part is the Union Jack, the second part is the Southern Cross, finally, the Commonwealth Stars.

Australian National Anthem Advance Australia Fair was one of many Australian nationalistic songs written in the latenineteenth century as debates about the creation of the new nation were taking place in the different colonies.

Australia's national colors, green and gold, were popular and well loved by Australians long before they were officially proclaimed by the Governor. General on 19 April 1984.

Australia's floral emblem The golden wattle, Acacia pycnantha, Australia's national floral emblem, encapsulates the spirit of the Australian bush. The shrub or small tree grows in the understory of open forest, woodland in open scrub in South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory.

Australia's national gemstone Australia 's precious opals include the black, white opal, crystal opal and boulder opal. The precious stone was proclaimed Australia's national gemstone on 28 July 1993.

Commonwealth Coat of Arms The Commonwealth Coat of Arms is the formal symbol of the Commonwealth of Australia and its ownership and authority. King Edward VII made the first official grant of a coat of arms to the Commonwealth of Australia in a Royal Warrant dated 7 May 1908.