What are the essential features of the Australian political and legal system?
A parliamentary democracy Australia’s system of government is based on the liberal democratic tradition and guarantees religious tolerance and freedom of association. Its institutions and practices reflect British and North American models but are uniquely Australian. The federal government is based on a popularly elected Parliament with two chambers, the House of Representatives and the Senate. The party or group of parties with a majority in the House of Representatives becomes the government, with ministers appointed from both chambers to serve in the Government Cabinet. The Prime Minister is not directly appointed by the people but by the party holding the balance of power in the House of Representatives. Members of the House of Representatives must seek re-election each time there is a federal election. Senators are elected for a six-year term and in an ordinary general election only half the senators face the voters. In all Australian parliaments questions can be asked without no
