The 3 Levels of
Government
This book
let tells y
ou about
3 levels o
the
f Governm
ent in
South Au
stralia an
d why
they’re im
portant!
1
Printed August 2012
Electoral Commission of South Australia
Level 6/60 Light Square
ADELAIDE SA 5000
1300 655 232
Contents
3 Levels of Government........................................... 5
Federal Government................................................ 6
State Government..................................................... 8
Local Government.................................................. 10
Glossary..................................................................... 11
Finding out more.................................................... 12
3 Levels of Government
3 Levels of Government
There are 3 levels of Government in South Australia.
1. Federal
Government
2. State
Government
3. Local
Government
3 Levels of Government
5
Federal Government
The Federal government makes laws on matters that affect
the day to day lives of everyone in Australia.
Some of their responsibilities include:
•
•
•
•
Defence
Taxation
Immigration
Centrelink
The Members of Parliament meet in Parliament House in
Canberra and the leader of the Federal government is
called the Prime Minister of Australia.
Parliament House in Canberra
6
3 Levels of Government
An election is held every 3 years to elect the
Federal government.
If you are on the electoral roll, it is compulsory to
vote at these elections.
When a person is elected they become a Member of
Federal Parliament and are elected to either the
House of Representatives or to the Senate:
House of Representatives (lower house)
Australia is divided into 150
electoral divisions, each
represented by one Member.
In South Australia there are
11 Members of the House
of Representatives.
The Senate (upper house)
There are 76 Senators, 12
from each of the 6 states
and 2 from each of the
mainland territories.
Half of those Senators
stand for election
every 3 years.
3 Levels of Government
7
State Government
The State government makes laws on matters that
affect the day to day lives of everyone in South
Australia.
Some of their responsibilities include:
•
•
•
•
•
Law and order
Schools and hospitals
Roads and railways
Housing
Community services
The Members of Parliament meet in Parliament House in
Adelaide and the leader of the State government is
called the Premier.
Parliament House in Adelaide
8
3 Levels of Government
An election happens every 4 years on the third
Saturday in March to elect the State government.
If you are on the electoral roll, it is compulsory to
vote at these elections.
When a person is elected they become a Member of State
Parliament and are elected to either the House
of Assembly or the Legislative Council:
House of Assembly (lower house)
The House of Assembly has
47 Members, each
representing one of the
47 electoral districts
in South Australia.
Legislative Council (upper house)
The Legislative Council has 22
Members who represent the
whole state, and serve for 8
years. Half of them (11 Members)
are elected at each general
election every 4 years.
3 Levels of Government
9
Local Government
Councils look after the needs of the local community.
There are 68 councils in South Australia.
Some of their responsibilities include:
•
•
•
•
•
Local roads and footpaths
Libraries
Recycling and garbage
Public halls
Parks
The elected leader of a council is usually called the Mayor.
Elections are held every 4 years in November.
Voting is not compulsory at Local government elections.
10
3 Levels of Government
Glossary
Word
Federal government
Meaning
The responsibilities of the Federal
government include: defence, foreign affairs, taxation,
immigration, trade, communications and social security.
The responsibilities of the State government include:
State government
schools, education, public hospitals, health, public
transport, main roads, courts and prisons.
Local government The responsibilities of the Local government
include: local roads and footpaths, libraries,
recycling and garbage disposal, parks and
swimming pools.
Prime Minister
Leader of the Federal government.
Premier
Mayor
House of Representatives
The lower house in Federal Parliament.
Senate
The upper house in Federal Parliament.
House of Assembly
The lower house in State Parliament.
Legislative Council
The upper house in State Parliament.
Leader of the State government.
Usually the elected leader of the council.
3 Levels of Government
11
Finding out more
If you want more information you can ask us.
Phone us on
1300 655 232
Email us at
[email protected]
Go to our website
ecsa.sa.gov.au
If you would like more information about elections, read our
other two booklets called Enrolling to Vote and Voting.
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3 Levels of Government