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Line 30: − − Despite the name, the Liberal Party, which has been in power in Australia since 1996, is conservative in political stance, a paradox established since the years that Sir Robert Menzies was Prime Minister. 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> There is no limit on the time a person can lead the country—it is the people's choice. + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
→System of Government
The Government of Australia is exercised, day-to-day, by the Ministers through their various Departments of State.
The Government of Australia is exercised, day-to-day, by the Ministers through their various Departments of State.
Australia has [[preferential voting]], which is designed to ensure that the candidates with the most support get into office, rather than the candidate with the most primary votes. So if three candidates, A, B, and C, get 40%, 35%, and 25% of the votes respectively (so no candidate has more than 50% of the votes), then the second preference of the voters who voted for C are distributed to the remaining candidates. The result might be that A ends up with 45% of the votes, and B with 55%, indicating that 55% of the voters prefer candidate B over A.
Australia has [[preferential voting]], which is designed to ensure that the candidates with the most support get into office, rather than the candidate with the most primary votes. So if three candidates, A, B, and C, get 40%, 35%, and 25% of the votes respectively (so no candidate has more than 50% of the votes), then the second preference of the voters who voted for C are distributed to the remaining candidates. The result might be that A ends up with 45% of the votes, and B with 55%, indicating that 55% of the voters prefer candidate B over A.
One consequence of this voting system is that it encourages a multiplicity of parties and even independent candidates. There have been times when the balance of power has been held my minor parties or independent individuals.
One consequence of this voting system is that it encourages a multiplicity of parties and even independent candidates. There have been times when the balance of power has been held my minor parties or independent individuals.
There is no limit on the time a person can be a Member of Parliament (MP) (elected, notionally, for 3 years, but the timing of elections is decided by the Prime Minister) or a Senator (elected for two cycles of the House of representatives.) The Prime Minister is normally a member of the House of Representatives, and the tenure is not limited by statute. (John Gorton was a Senator when appointed leader of his party. He immediately resigned from the Senate and stood for election to the House of Representatives.)
The Federal 'opposition' political party, is the [[Australian Labor Party]] which most Americans would recognize as "liberal". Its leader is [[Kevin Rudd]]. As of March 2007, the Labor Party is in government in all of the states and territories. The Labor Party is "social democratic" while the Liberals are "liberal conservatives"; however, some of the smaller parties are more liberal or more conservative than Labor and Liberal respectively.
The Federal 'opposition' political party, is the [[Australian Labor Party]] which most Americans would recognize as "liberal". Its leader is [[Kevin Rudd]]. As of March 2007, the Labor Party is in government in all of the states and territories. The Labor Party is "social democratic" while the Liberals are "liberal conservatives"; however, some of the smaller parties are more liberal or more conservative than Labor and Liberal respectively.
===Parliamentary political parties===
* Australian Democrats
* Australian Greens
* Australian Labor Party
* Country Liberal Party
* Family First Party
* Liberal Party of Australia
* National Party of Australia
Despite the name, the Liberal Party, which has been in power in Australia since 1996, is conservative in political stance, a paradox established since the years that Sir Robert Menzies was Prime Minister. 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>
===Prime Ministers of Australia===
<h2>
<h2>
Prime Ministers of Australia</h2><ref>[http://www.aph.gov.au/library/parl/hist/primmins.htm Prime Ministers of Australia]</ref>
Prime Ministers of Australia</h2><ref>[http://www.aph.gov.au/library/parl/hist/primmins.htm Prime Ministers of Australia]</ref>