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Australia is a constitutional monarchy, parliamentary democracy, and federation, with a political system that has remained largely unchanged since the country's Federation in 1901. As one of the world’s oldest federations, Australia's government divides power between the federal and state levels, combining elements from the political systems of both the United Kingdom and the United States. The result is a distinctive hybrid system of government.
At the federal level, power is separated into three main branches: the legislature, executive, and judiciary. The bicameral Parliament consists of the monarch, the Senate, and the House of Representatives. The Senate has 76 members, with equal representation from each state, while the House of Representatives is composed of 151 members elected from various electoral divisions.
The executive is led by the Prime Minister, who is appointed by the Governor-General based on the party or coalition with a majority in the House of Representatives. The Governor-General serves as the legal representative of the monarch, though their actions are typically guided by the advice of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. The judiciary is overseen by the High Court and other federal courts, ensuring legal checks and balances.
Australia's electoral system employs preferential voting for the House of Representatives and uses a proportional system for the Senate and state elections. Voting is compulsory for all eligible citizens aged 18 and over. The party that gains a majority in the House of Representatives forms the government, and its leader becomes the Prime Minister. If no party holds a majority, the Governor-General has the constitutional power to appoint a Prime Minister.
Politically, Australia has two major groups: the Australian Labor Party (center-left) and the Coalition (center-right), which consists of the Liberal Party and the National Party. Independent members and minor parties, such as the Australian Greens, also play a significant role in Australia's political landscape. In the most recent federal election, held on May 21, 2022, the Australian Labor Party, led by Anthony Albanese, emerged victorious and formed the new government.