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How Systems Work

How Australian Democracy Actually Works

Ages 12–16 25 min read Intermediate

Australia's democracy has some unusual features: compulsory voting, preferential ballots, a Senate elected by proportional representation, and a monarch on the other side of the world as head of state. Understanding how it works is the first step to using it.

The Structure

The Constitution

Australia's Constitution (1901) is the supreme law. It divides power between federal and state governments and establishes three branches:

  • Legislature (Parliament): Makes laws. Two houses: House of Representatives (151 members) and Senate (76 senators).
  • Executive: Implements laws. The Prime Minister, Cabinet, and government departments.
  • Judiciary: Interprets laws. The High Court is the final court of appeal.

How Voting Works

Australia is one of ~20 countries with compulsory voting. You must vote from age 18 (fine for not voting: $20-$50). This means voter turnout is consistently above 90% — compared to ~60% in the US and UK.

The preferential voting system means you number candidates in order of preference. If your first choice is eliminated, your vote transfers to your second choice. This means you can vote for a minor party first without "wasting" your vote.

The Senate

Each state gets 12 senators regardless of population. This means Tasmania (540,000 people) gets the same Senate representation as NSW (8 million). The Senate uses proportional representation, giving minor parties and independents a better chance of election.

Key Features

  • Elections every 3 years (maximum for the House of Representatives)
  • The Governor-General represents the King/Queen and performs ceremonial duties
  • No Bill of Rights — unlike the US, Australia doesn't have a constitutional bill of rights (though rights are protected through legislation and common law)
  • Referendums required to change the Constitution — and they rarely succeed (8 out of 44 have passed)

Tonight's Question

"Should voting be compulsory? What are the advantages and disadvantages of making everyone vote?"

Mock Parliament

  1. Assign family members roles: Prime Minister, Opposition Leader, Senator, Speaker.
  2. Choose a "bill" (proposal) to debate — something fun like "Bedtime should be 30 minutes later."
  3. The PM presents the bill. Opposition responds. Debate follows.
  4. Vote using preferential voting (number your preferences if there are amendments).
  5. Discuss: was the process fair? Did the best argument win?

Go Further

  • Website: Parliamentary Education Office (peo.gov.au) — excellent resources on how parliament works.
  • Visit: If in Canberra, visit Parliament House. Watch Question Time from the public gallery.
  • Research: The 1975 Constitutional Crisis — when the Governor-General dismissed the Prime Minister. Could it happen again?
  • Question: Should Australia have a Bill of Rights like the US?

What We Simplified

  • The system is more complex than three branches. Intergovernmental relations (COAG/National Cabinet), statutory authorities, and the role of the public service add layers of complexity.
  • Compulsory voting isn't universally praised. Critics argue it forces uninformed voting. Supporters argue it ensures representative government.
  • The republic debate is ongoing. Whether Australia should become a republic (replacing the monarch with an Australian head of state) remains an active question.

Sources

  • Parliamentary Education Office. peo.gov.au
  • Australian Electoral Commission. "Voting in Australia." AEC
  • Williams, G. et al. (2014). Australian Constitutional Law and Theory. 6th ed. Federation Press.

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