Government and politics are important because they affect our lives every day , but it can be pretty frustrating if you're not sure how it all works.
There are three levels of government in Australia. There's our Federal Government, which represents the whole of Australia at a national level, then there's our State Government which represents us in Victoria and finally, there's our Local Government which represent us in the area in which we live and work.
How do the three levels of government relate to each other?
In practice, the State/Territory and Federal Governments cooperate in many areas where States and Territories are formally responsible, such as education, transport, health and law enforcement.
Income tax is decided and imposed at a federal level. However, debate between the levels of governments about access to government funds is a constant feature of Australian politics.
The Council of Australian Governments (COAG) (new window) is a forum to initiate, develop and implement national policy reforms requiring cooperative action between the three levels of National, State/Territory and Local Government. Its objectives include:
- Dealing with major issues by agreement
- Cooperating on structural reform of government and other reforms so that our economy is integrated.
COAG is made up of the Prime Minister, State Premiers, Chief Ministers of the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory and the president of the Australian Local Government Association.
In addition, Ministerial Councils (comprising National, State and Territory Ministers and, where relevant, representatives of Local Government and of the governments of New Zealand and Papua New Guinea) meet regularly to develop and implement inter-governmental action in specific policy areas.
State Parliaments are subject to the National Constitution as well as their State Constitutions. A Federal law overrides any State law not consistent with it.
Victorian Government Departments
Here's a list of all the Government Departments in Victoria. All links listed below link to other, external websites and open in a new window:
- Department of Education and Early Childhood Development
- Department of Human Services
- Department of Infrastructure
- Department of Innovation, Industry and Regional Development
- Department of Justice
- Department of Planning and Community Development
- Department of Premier and Cabinet
- Department of Primary Industries
- Department of Sustainability and Environment
- Department of Treasury and Finance
Links
Parliament of Victoria
Find out about Victoria's Parliament.
Parliamentary Education Office
Parliamentary information education services for schools, teachers and students.
Australian Local Government Association
Information about the Local Government system in Australia and its roles and responsibilities.
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
General information about Australia's system of government.
Parliament of Australia
Provides information on the Australian parliamentary system.
