Text

The Separation
The people of Australia
vote MPs and Senators

The High Court The Arms of The Legislature

into the legislature. Voting
is compulsory in Australia.

of Powers
Justices are appointed by the Governor-General
on the reccommendation of the Prime Minister
and advice from the Attorney-General. Government creates and changes the law
12
Chief Justice Justices 48 NSW
The separation of powers is a system of checks
2017 2024 2021 2015 2028 2015 2013 female
and balances on the arms of government in the
making and administration of laws. Kiefel
male
12
French Bell Crennan Gageler Hayne Heydon *as of July
37
2012
Vic
The three arms of government: the legislature, A referendum in 1977 set the compulsory retirement age
executive and judiciary must act according to of 70 for all Federal Judges.
30 QLD 12
their role defined in the Australian Main Functions of the High Court
Constitution, and each act as a check on the • Last court of appeal for all courts House Senate
power of the other arms. All of the arms must • Check on the power of the legislature and can declare laws unconstitutional Committees 15 WA 12 Committees
exercise power according to the law. • Check on the power of the Executive and can declare the actions of the
executive unlawful. 11 SA 12
The powers of each arm are defined in the
Constitution:
The Judiciary The 5 Tas 12
makes judgements on the law
• Chapter 1 “The Parliament” states the powers House of 2 ACT 2 The
of the legislature Federal Courts State Courts
Representatives 2 NT 2 Senate
• Chapter 2 “The Executive Government” states
the powers of the Executive Federal Court Supreme Court

• Chapter 3 ”The Judicature” defines the role Family Court District Court The
and powers of the High Court, and assumes the Federal
existance of State Supreme Courts. Magistrates Local Court Governor The
Court General
The Attorney
General
Prime Cabinet
Minister for Early
Minister Ministers Childhood and Childcare
Minister for
Justice Minister for Small Minister for Immigration

Checks and Balances on the The Governor-General is Minister for

Home Affairs
Business
Treasurer
Minister for Tourism Minister for Social
Minister for the
Arts
and Citizenship
Minister Assisting the Prime
Minister on Mental Health Reform

Arms of Government The

appointed by the Queen
on the advice of the Prime
Minister for
Health
Minister for the Public
Service and Integrity
Inclusion Minister

Science
for

and
Tertiary
Education, Skills,
Research
Minister for
Sport Minister for Financial Services and
Superannuation
Can declare Minister and the bearer of Minister for
Minister for Family, Community Minister for Veteran's Minister for Defence Minister for Trade
legislation Legislature supreme executive power
Disability Reform

Minister for Emergency

Services and Indigenous Affair
Minister for
Affairs
Minister for Broadband,
Material

The Minister Assisting

Minister for
Housing
and
Competitiveness
unconsitutional can remove can question in Australia, however, in Management Defence Communications and the the Prime Minister on Minister for Employment

The and invalid

judges for the actions of
reality the GG grants royal Minister Assisting the Prime
Minister on the Centenery of
Digital Economy
Minister for Agriculture,
Digital Productivity

Minister for Industry Minister for Regional Australia,

Participation

assent to bills passed by

Judiciary Can declare
ANZAC Fisheries and Forrestry
misconduct the Executive Minister for Sustainability,
and Innovation Regional Development and

in Parliament the Legislature, and Environment, Water, Population

Minister for School
Education, Early Minister for
Local Government Minister for Defence
Minister for Foreign Science and Personnel
actions of the empowers acts of the and Communities Childhood and Youth Resources
and Energy Affairs Minister for
Minister for Employment Finance and Minister for
Executive Executive on the advice of Minister for
and Workplace Relations Community Services Minister for the Minister for Deregulation Mental Health
unlawful Ministers. Minister for Minister for Status of Women Infrastructure
and Transport Minister for
and Aging
Human Services Multicultural Affairs
Minister for Indigeonous Employment Indigenous Health
Minister for Climate Change and and Economic Development
Energy Efficiency Minister for
Reserve Powers Ministers may hold a seat in either the Homelessness
The Governor The last check on the power of the Senate or the House of Representatives
General can Australian Government are the reserve
The Executive
*portfolios
dissolve the powers of the GG which allow him/her the as at July

An independent media acts as a check

The Media Appoints Legislature or power to: puts the law into practice
2012

justices of refuse to give

on all the arms of government. the High Court assent to bills • appoint a Prime • dismiss a Prime Minister where • refuse to dissolve
Journalists notify the public about
issues of importance, and place The Minister if an election the House of Representatives has the House of
results in a hung passed a vote of ‘No Confidence’ Representatives
pressure on the govermment to
remain transparent and accountable Executive parliament against the Prime Minister against the advice
of the Ministry.
to the people. www.ruleoflaw.org.au