Changes

Australia is a democracy which has allowed men of European descent to vote since federation, with women gaining the vote in 1902 and Aboriginal men and women gaining suffrage in 1962.  Voting is compulsory for all citizens who are 18 years old and over (with a few exceptions.)

Australia is a democracy which has allowed men of European descent to vote since federation, with women gaining the vote in 1902 and Aboriginal men and women gaining suffrage in 1962.  Voting is compulsory for all citizens who are 18 years old and over (with a few exceptions.)

Australia's Head of Government is the [[Prime Minister of Australia]]. The current Prime Minister is Tony Abbott who is the leader of the Liberal Party (a right-leaning political party).

Australia's Head of Government is the [[Prime Minister of Australia]]. The current Prime Minister is Malcolm Turnbull who is the leader of the Liberal Party (a right-leaning political party).

The Head of State is [[Queen Elizabeth II]], the Queen of Australia (who is the same person, but a different title, as the Queen of Great Britain.) Under the Constitution, and in practice, the authority of the Head of State is vested in the [[Governor-General of Australia]], currently Quentin Bryce AC, Previously Governor of [[Queensland]], who assents to acts of parliament, is the Commander in Chief of the military forces, and appoints all Ministers of the Government; all these various powers are normally exercised on advice from the Prime Minister.  

The Head of State is [[Queen Elizabeth II]], the Queen of Australia (who is the same person, but a different title, as the Queen of Great Britain.) Under the Constitution, and in practice, the authority of the Head of State is vested in the [[Governor-General of Australia]], currently Quentin Bryce AC, Previously Governor of [[Queensland]], who assents to acts of parliament, is the Commander in Chief of the military forces, and appoints all Ministers of the Government; all these various powers are normally exercised on advice from the Prime Minister.  

Despite the US connotation associated with the name, the Liberal Party is conservative in political stance.  Robert Menzies helped found the Liberal Party in 1944 and was the Prime Minister from 1939 until 1941 and then again from 1949 until 1966.<ref> [http://www.liberals.net/liberalpartyhistory.htm History of the Liberal Party in Australia]</ref>  The term "liberal" refers to the party's predominantly-[[free market|free-market]] approach to [[economics|economic management]].

Despite the US connotation associated with the name, the Liberal Party is conservative in political stance.  Robert Menzies helped found the Liberal Party in 1944 and was the Prime Minister from 1939 until 1941 and then again from 1949 until 1966.<ref> [http://www.liberals.net/liberalpartyhistory.htm History of the Liberal Party in Australia]</ref>  The term "liberal" refers to the party's predominantly-[[free market|free-market]] approach to [[economics|economic management]].

The party currently in power is the [[Australian Labor Party]]. The Labor Party is also in government in Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, ACT and the Northern Territory. The other state governments see the Liberal Party in control. The Prime Minister is Tony Abbott.

The party currently in power is the [[Australian Labor Party]]. The Labor Party is also in government in Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, ACT and the Northern Territory. The other state governments see the Liberal Party in control. The Prime Minister is Malcolm Turnbull.

Conservative Queensland politician and businesswoman, Pauline Hanson formed the One Nation party to give a conservative voice to voters that were not being effectively represented by the major parties. One Nation has held seats in both the Federal Senate and Lower House, and have been the subject of ridicule by left-leaning media commentators.

Conservative Queensland politician and businesswoman, Pauline Hanson formed the One Nation party to give a conservative voice to voters that were not being effectively represented by the major parties. One Nation has held seats in both the Federal Senate and Lower House, and have been the subject of ridicule by left-leaning media commentators.

===Principal Government Officials===  

===Principal Government Officials===  

*Governor General--Sir Peter Cosgrove

*Governor General--Sir Peter Cosgrove

*Prime Minister--Tony Abbott

*Prime Minister--Malcolm Turnbull

*Deputy Prime Minister--Anthony Albinese

*Deputy Prime Minister--Warren Truss

*Treasurer--Wayne Swan

*Treasurer--Joe Hockey

*Foreign Minister--Bob Carr

*Foreign Minister--Julie Bishop

*Defense Minister--Bob Katter

*Defense Minister--Kevin McQuay

*Trade Minister--Craig Emerson

*Trade Minister--Andrew Robb

===Political Conditions===

===Political Conditions===