What kinds of laws can be made by each level of government (Commonwealth, state, territory, local)?
The Commonwealth Government generally makes laws on matters which affect the country as a whole, and on matters where it would be unhelpful for the law to be different in each state. Section 51 of the Australian Constitution defines forty specific areas over which the Commonwealth has the power to make laws. Examples of these are: currency, postal and telephone services, relations with other countries, immigration, quarantine, and the operation of a defence force. The Commonwealth Government can also make laws about Australia’s territories. State governments can make laws on any issue that the Commonwealth Government can not. State laws usually cover issues like education, health, the environment, and the operation of emergency services (police, fire, ambulance). It is possible in some cases for the Commonwealth and the states to make laws on the same issue. Where a Commonwealth law and a state law do not agree with one another, the Commonwealth law is followed. Not all territories hav
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