Parliamentary Democracy
"Australians value parliamentary democracy. This means that the people elect representatives to parliament to make laws on their behalf."
Australians do not vote directly on laws. They vote for people who make laws, and hold those people to account for what they do. The arrangement is representative rather than direct, and it depends on three things working together: free and fair elections, a Parliament that is genuinely answerable to the people, and a separation of powers that stops any one branch dominating.
How the system works
The federal Parliament has two houses: the House of Representatives (151 members, three-year terms) and the Senate (76 members, six-year terms with half elected every three years, giving the states equal representation). A government needs a majority in the House to form; the Senate reviews and can delay or block legislation. Federal, state and local levels each have their own law-making power, and the High Court arbitrates disputes between them.
Compulsory voting and preferential voting
Enrolled citizens must vote in federal, state and local elections, or pay a small fine; this keeps turnout above 90 percent and forces parties to appeal to a broad electorate rather than only the committed. Preferential voting lets voters rank candidates, so ballots are not wasted when a first preference fails. Both features are unusual internationally and both are aimed at the same outcome: a parliament that reflects the country rather than its loudest activist faction.
Responsible government and the separation of powers
Australian governments are drawn from parliament and must remain in it, so ministers can be questioned, censured and removed by the House at any time. The separation of powers checks the other two branches: Parliament legislates, the executive administers, the courts interpret. A long-standing and distinctive feature is the expectation of administrative fairness — government decision-makers must give reasons and consider relevant material, and have historically been required to do so even where no statute compels it.
Key principles
- Representative government
- You elect people to make laws on your behalf.
- Compulsory voting
- Enrolled citizens must vote or pay a fine; turnout stays above 90%.
- Preferential voting
- Rank candidates; your vote transfers if your first choice is eliminated.
- Separation of powers
- Legislature, executive and judiciary each check the others.
Common misconception
"Australia is a democracy, so the government can do whatever it wants."
Fact: That is the opposite of responsible government. The executive is drawn from Parliament and answerable to it at all times, and the courts can strike down executive action and legislation.
In the citizenship test
A common test question asks what makes Australia different from other countries on voting. The intended answer is compulsory voting.