What's In This Site?

Parliament
Here you will find general information on Australia's Federal Parliament, including its functions. There is detailed information, including membership lists, on the House of Representatives and the Senate, the two houses of the bicameral legislature. There is information on the role of The Speaker & Other People who work in the Parliament, including Backbenchers and the Opposition. There is material on a range of Parliamentary Procedures, including Questions and the passage of Legislation. Links to the verbatim transcripts of parliamentary proceedings - Hansard - are available here, as is information on Parliamentary Committees. The vexed question of parliamentary deadlocks is covered, specifically the peculiarly Australian phenomenon of the Double Dissolution. This inevitably leads to an examination of proposals for Parliamentary Reform.

Executive Government
A number of significant Conventions govern the operation of the Ministry & Cabinet in Australia's Westminster-based system of government. This section also contains information on the position of Prime Minister, with section on the current Howard Government, and the previous administrations of Paul Keating, and his Labor predecessor, Bob Hawke. There is also a section on Historic Ministries since 1901 and the Public Service.

Voting Systems
The Australian electoral system has an interesting history, pioneering inventions such as the secret ballot. Australia also has a reasonably good record on extending the Franchise. Our Voting Systems are often bewildering to outsiders, particularly our use of preferential voting. This section also explains the different types of votes and contains detailed statistics on Primary Votes and Two-Party-Preferred figures in elections. The incidence of Informal Votes has declined in recent years, particularly since the introduction of Group Tickets for Senate elections.

Elections
This section contains complete lists of Federal Election Dates and the Timetable for elections followed by the Australian Electoral Commission. There are detailed Election Results, including table of figures showing the State of the Parties and the results of By-Elections. The phenomenon of How-To-Vote Cards is explained and there are sections on federal elections, including the 2001 poll which returned the Howard government for a third term, following its successes in 1998 and 1996. The unexpected success of Paul Keating in 1993 and the four wins by Bob Hawke, in 1990 against Andrew Peacock, in 1987 against John Howard, and in 1984 against Peacock. Malcolm Fraser's loss in 1983 followed a scare in 1980, following the landslide victories of 1977 and 1975. Gough Whitlam's victories in 1974 and 1972 are also here.

Political Parties
Australia's political parties fulfill a number of Functions. The oldest party in Australia is the Australian Labor Party, which was formed in 1890. Despite its name, the Liberal Party is the major conservative party. It usually governs in coalition with the rural-based National Party. Amongst the myriad minor parties, the Australian Democrats have been the most successful since their formation in 1977, but are now being challenged by the Australian Greens. The brief and spectacular rise and fall of Pauline Hanson's One Nation is more typical of the fate of other minor parties in Australia.

Pressure Groups
There is a considerable number of pressure groups in Australia which have a definite impact on democracy. This section contains detailed information on the Australian Medical Association and the Womens Electoral Lobby.

Foreign Policy
Australian foreign policy has rarely been discussed as much as in the past year. There are various elements of this policy and a range of influences on its formation. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade oversees our relationships with other countries, including the ANZUS treaty with the United States. Trade issues are a major ingredient of our foreign policy, but the questions of Foreign Aid, our commitment to international Treaties and our support of global measures relating to the Environment are also important.

American Politics
There are significant differences between the Australian and United States political systems. The American Constitution gives significant power to the Congress, although Presidents have been able to expand the power of the Executive. This section contains material on the current incumbent, George W. Bush, and his predecessor, Bill Clinton, including a detailed examination of Clinton's impeachment. America's Political Parties are much looser organisations than in Australia and The States wield considerable power. The Supreme Court has had a controversial history in recent times, particularly because of the role it has played in Elections and major policy disputes. US Lobby Groups are large in number and are now subject to controls introduced in the wake of the Watergate scandal.

Media, News & Words
The Mass Media plays an important role in modern politics. With the advent of the Internet, most media outlets in Australia, the United States and Great Britain have an online presence.

Famous Quotations, political and otherwise, are included here, as are daily quotes on politics from the Australian media, a feature begun in 2001, and maintained throughout the months of January, February, March, April, May and June in 2002. The Current Month's Quotes are now automated. An archive of items from australianpolitics.com is available for 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998, and 1997.

Odds & Ends
An undeveloped section on the Australian Legal System is here, as well as material on British Politics. There is a growing collection of Audio Clips and a separate site containing material for the teaching of middle school Civics.

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