What traditions guide how the government works?

Many features of how the Australian Government works are not included in the Australian Constitution; they are based on custom and tradition – convention. Many of these conventions come from the British Parliament.   

Conventions that guide how the Government works include:  

  • Formation of government: Government is formed by the party, or coalition of parties, that has the support of the majority of members in the House of Representatives
  • Prime Minister: The Prime Minister is the leader of the government. The Prime Minister is chosen by a vote of the members of the party in government and has the power to choose other members of the government for important roles.  
  • Treasurer: The Treasurer is always a member of the House because the Budget can only be introduced in the House and not the Senate
  • Cabinet: Cabinet is the top decision making group in the government. It is expected all members of Cabinet will publicly support Cabinet decisions.  
  • Governor General: The Governor-General is a part of both the Parliament and the government, and represents the King. Some of the powers available to the Governor General are guided by tradition.
The front of Australian Parliament House with the Great Verandah and the flagmast. In the foreground is water.

Australian Parliament House.

DPS Auspic

Australian Parliament House.

The front of Australian Parliament House with the Great Verandah and the flagmast. In the foreground is water.

DPS Auspic

Description

This photo shows the front of Parliament House with the Great Verandah and the flagmast. In the foreground Michael Nelson Jagamara's Possum and Wallaby Dreaming mosaic is surrounded by water.