- Government of Victoria (Australia)
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Logo of the Victorian Government
The Government of Victoria, under the Constitution of Australia, ceded certain legislative and judicial powers to the Commonwealth, but retained complete independence in all other areas. The Victorian Constitution says: "the Legislature of Victoria has full power and authority." In practice, however, the independence of the Australian states has been greatly eroded by the increasing financial domination of the Commonwealth.
Victoria is governed according to the principles of the Westminster system, a form of parliamentary government based on the model of the United Kingdom. Legislative power rests with the Parliament of Victoria, which consists of the Crown, represented by the Governor of Victoria, and the two Houses, the Victorian Legislative Council (the upper house) and the Victorian Legislative Assembly (the lower house).
Executive power rests formally with the Executive Council, which consists of the Governor and senior ministers. In practice executive power is exercised by the Premier of Victoria and the Cabinet, who are appointed by the Governor, but who hold office by virtue of their ability to command the support of a majority of members of the Legislative Assembly.
Judicial power is exercised by the Supreme Court of Victoria and a system of subordinate courts, but the High Court of Australia and other federal courts have overriding jurisdiction on matters which fall under the ambit of the Australian Constitution.
Current Agencies, Departments and Statutory Bodies
- See: List of Victorian government agencies
References
External links
Victoria Topics History · Geology · State Government · State Parliament · State politics · Local government · Energy · Road transport · Rail transport · Sport · Education · Teaching
Regions Central Highlands · Gippsland · Grampians · The Mallee · Goulburn Valley · Melbourne · Port Phillip · Western Port · Mornington Peninsula · Yarra Valley · Bellarine · Sunraysia · Ovens and Murray · Australian Alps · Goldfields · Western District · Otways · WimmeraCities and towns Government of Victoria Executive 
Legislative Parliament • Legislative Council • Legislative Assembly • Electoral regions • Electoral districts • President of the Legislative Council • Speaker of the Legislative Assembly • MLCs • MLAs • Opposition LeaderJudicial Politics of Australia Commonwealth Queen · Governor-General · Prime Minister · Cabinet · Executive Council · Ministry · Foreign relations
Parliament · Senate · House of Representatives · Opposition Leader
High Court · Lower courts
Constitution Act · Statute of Westminster · Australia Act
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