Become AuggieStudy / Part 3: Government and the law in Australia
Political parties and forming government
- Main parties: Liberal, Labor, Nationals and Greens
- Independents do not belong to a party
- Government is the party or coalition with a House majority
- Its leader becomes Prime Minister
- Opposition is the next-largest party or coalition
- A coalition is two or more parties working together
- Cabinet holds the ministers with the top portfolios
- The Governor-General approves the PM and ministers
| Role | Who |
|---|---|
| Government | Party or coalition with a majority in the House of Representatives |
| Prime Minister | Leader of the governing party or coalition |
| Opposition | Second-largest party or coalition |
| Cabinet | Ministers with the most important portfolios |
| Independents | Parliamentarians with no party |
- Federal election
- Majority in House of RepresentativesForms government
- Prime MinisterRecommends ministers
- CabinetKey decision-making body
- Second-largest groupForms the Opposition
- Leader of the Opposition
Key facts
- Main parties: Liberal, Labor, Nationals, Greens.
- Independents: parliamentarians not in any party.
- Government: party or coalition with a House of Representatives majority.
- Its leader becomes Prime Minister.
- Opposition: second-largest party or coalition.
- Coalition: two or more parties joining together.
- Cabinet: ministers with the most important portfolios.
- Governor-General approves the PM and ministers.