What is the Washminster system?
The ‘Washminster system’ refers to a blend of the systems of government of the United Kingdom and the United States of America. Australia’s system of government is sometimes described this way.
The term ‘Washminster’ combines Westminster, the home of the UK Parliament, and Washington DC, the capital of the United States. It reflects how Australia has drawn from both these systems to shape its own.
Features that Australia has adopted from the Westminster system include:
- government is formed in and responsible to an elected house of parliament
- the opposition scrutinises – closely examines – the government
- a constitutional monarch who acts on the advice of the prime minister.
The influence of the United States system can be seen in:
- the names ‘Senate’ and ‘House of Representatives’
- each state having the same number of senators
- population-based representation in the House of Representatives.
The Australian system of government
Parliamentary Education Office (PEO.GOV.AU)
The Australian system of government
Parliamentary Education Office (PEO.GOV.AU)
Description
Different components come together to make up the Australian system of government. The main features are democracy, being a representative democracy, the Australian Constitution, constitutional monarchy and being a federation of states.
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