What is Government?

A government is a group of people elected by the community to make decisions on behalf of the people in the community interest. 

When the government makes decisions, they are called laws. The laws are contained in books called legislation and each book is called an Act of Parliament. 

Without governments, people would be unclear about their rights and responsibilities to other people. There would be no road rules; no parks and libraries; factories could be built next to houses; cars could park anywhere; and shops could sell food which might make you sick.

Australia has three levels of government: Local, State and Federal.

Local government

Local government area (LGA) is another term for local councils. Their powers are determined by the State government.

The Commonwealth Government also interacts with local councils by providing funds to them through grants for local projects such as Wyong Shire Council's Tuggerah Lakes Estuary Management Plan.

The main responsibilities of local councils is to provide community facilities such as libraries, parks and recreation areas, waste removal, road maintenance and the planning of what should be built where. Council also looks after pet regulation, community halls, childcare centres and youth facilities such as Gravity and Oasis.

Unlike a lot of local government around the world, Australia's local councils are not responsible for services such as police, schools and fire brigades. Wyong Shire's mayor is Councillor Doug Eaton 

See more about Wyong Shire Council.

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State government

Australia has six states and two territories.

The power of the state parliaments to make laws cannot be altered except by altering the Australian Constitution, which can only be done by a referendum.

Although the Commonwealth Government treats the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory as if they were states for most purposes, their parliaments can be changed by the Commonwealth.

 Premier of NSW is Barry O'Farrell. Professor Marie Bashir A.C is the Governor. 

 The NSW Government sits at Parliament House, in Macquarie Street, Sydney.  Government departments and agencies are located across the state

Federal government

Our Federal authority is formally called the Commonwealth of Australia. 

This was formed in 1901, as a result of an agreement between the six self-governing British colonies, which became the six states. The establishment of this level of government is known as Federation.  One of the main reasons to unite was so that a central government could look after issues such as international relations, defence, immigration and customs. 

Australia's official head of state, who reports to the Queen of England, is the Governor General, Her Excellency Ms Quentin Bryce AC.

The Federal Government is located in the National Capital, Canberra. It is led by Prime Minister, Julia Gillard.