Executive Government

Conventions
An explanation of the major conventions of Australian executive government, including Ministerial Responsibility and Caretaker Conventions.

Prime Minister
The Prime Minister is the pivotal person in contemporary executive governments. The PM is the focus of public and media attention, and has immense power to shape the composition of the government and determine its policy directions.

Cabinet & Ministry
The Ministry consists of all those Members of Parliament chosen by the Prime Minister (Liberal Party) or the Party Caucus (ALP). They serve as members of the executive arm of government and administer the various government departments. The most senior Ministers, including the Prime Minister form the Cabinet, which is often referred to as the engine-room of government.

Public Service/Bureaucracy
The Public Service is the administrative arm of the Executive Government, accountable to the relevant ministers and the Parliament. Also known as the bureaucracy, the maze of government departments and authorities is charged with the responsibility of advising the government of the day and implementing government and parliamentary decisions.

Rudd Government
The Rudd Labor Government was elected on November 24, 2007.

Howard Government
The Howard Government, a coalition of the Liberal and National Parties, was first elected in 1996. It was re-elected in 1998, 2001 and 2004. It was defeated in 2007.

Historical Ministries
Australia's federal ministries since 1901 have been a richly diverse group. Look here for lists of previous ministries and prime ministers, such as the first government after federation and the more recent governments of Howard, Keating, Hawke and Whitlam.

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