Some Similarities
Both systems use a written constitution.
Australia and the United States are both federations. Both federations were created by several sovereign states handing over some of their powers to a central government in 1789 (USA) and 1901 (Australia).
- 2. Elections
Some Similarities
Members in the House of Representatives represent electorates or districts. Each electorate elects one person. Each electorate has approximately the same number of voters (except Tasmania in Australia).
Senators represent states. Each state elects the same number of Senators regardless of the size or population of the State. (Territories in Australia are exceptions).
- 3. Head of State
No significant similarities.
*Impeached means to charge a person with treason or with a very serious criminal offence.
- 4. Executive
*A Secretary of the Cabinet in the USA is the same as a Minister of the government in Australia.
Some Similarities
The day-to-day running of the government is carried out by the cabinet.
The Cabinet meetings are secret (unlike the legislature) and are not subject to public scrutiny.
- 5. Legislature
Some Similarities
Both systems have two houses; the House of Representatives and the Senate.
The chairperson in the House of Representatives is called the Speaker and in the Senate is called the President.
Both Parliament and the Congress supplement the work of the two houses with many committees. These committees scrutinise legislation, investigate current issues, examine government expenditure and do other detailed work to support the work of both houses.
Members represent single member electorates (Australia) or Districts (USA).
The main work of the legislature is to pass bills, to represent voters and to scrutinise the executive.
- 6. Legislative process
Some Similarities
Any member of the House of Representatives or Senator may introduce a bill.
All bills must be passed by both houses.
Voting is usually along party lines.
Bills pass through stages. At each stage, a vote is taken to see whether the house supports the bill or not. Amendments can be made to bills at certain stages.
Whips or party managers organise the hour by hour operations of debating and voting in each house.
All legislative houses and all debates are open at all times to the public and to the media.
- 7. Party System
Some Similarities
Parties tend to be conservative or progressive. The conservative parties include the Republicans (USA), the Liberal Party of Australia, and the National Party of Australia.
The progressive parties include the Democrats in the USA and the Australian Labor Party, the Australian Democrats and Greens parties.
