Part 3.6: Political Parties & How Laws Are Made

Who runs Australia? How does a new law actually get made? This section covers political parties, how government is formed after an election, and the step-by-step process by which a Bill becomes law.

Political Parties

A political party is a group of people who share similar ideas about how a country should be governed. They work together to have the party's ideas turned into laws. The main political parties in Australia are:

Liberal Party Liberal Party of Australia

Labor Party Australian Labor Party (ALP)

The Nationals The Nationals

The Greens Australian Greens

Most parliamentarians belong to a political party. Some do not belong to any political party — they are called 'independents'. In Australia, people are free to join a political party if they choose.

Coalition: Sometimes two or more parties may form a coalition (work together) to win a majority. For example, the Liberal Party and the Nationals commonly form a Coalition.

How Government Is Formed

After a federal election, the Australian Government is generally formed by the party or coalition of parties with the majority of members in the House of Representatives. The leader of this party becomes the Prime Minister.

The party or coalition with the second largest number of members forms the Opposition. Its leader is the Leader of the Opposition.

🗳️ Federal Election Citizens vote

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🏆 Majority in House of Reps Forms the government

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👤 Party Leader = Prime Minister GG approves appointment

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🏛️ Cabinet Formed Key decision-making body

The Prime Minister recommends members of the House of Representatives or Senators to become ministers. The Governor-General approves the appointment of the Prime Minister and ministers.

Government ministers are responsible for an area of government (called a portfolio), such as employment, Indigenous Affairs or the Treasury. Ministers with the most important portfolios make up the Cabinet, which is the key decision-making body of government.

How Laws Are Made

The Australian Parliament has the power to make or change laws in Australia. Here is how a proposal becomes law:

💡 A "Bill" Is Proposed A proposal for a new or changed law

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🏛️ House of Representatives Debates & votes

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🏛️ The Senate Reviews, debates & votes

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✍️ Governor-General Signs "Royal Assent" — it becomes law

Key Term: A Bill is a proposal to introduce a new law or change an existing one. It only becomes law after both Houses of Parliament agree and the Governor-General gives Royal Assent (signs it).

Key Points to Remember

Main parties: Liberal Party, Labor Party (ALP), The Nationals, Australian Greens
Parliamentarians without a party are called 'independents'
Government is formed by the party/coalition with a majority in the House of Representatives
That party's leader becomes the Prime Minister
The Cabinet is the key decision-making body of government (ministers with major portfolios)
A Bill is a proposal for a new or changed law
A Bill must pass both Houses then receive Royal Assent from the Governor-General to become law

Quick Check

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Question 1 of 5

After a federal election, how is the Australian Government formed?

The Governor-General chooses who will govern based on election results The party with the most seats in the Senate forms government The party or coalition with a majority in the House of Representatives forms government; its leader becomes PM

Why it matters: Government is formed in the House of Representatives, not the Senate. The party (or coalition) that holds a majority of seats in the House of Representatives forms the government, and their leader becomes Prime Minister. The Governor-General then formally approves the appointments.

Question 2 of 5

What is the Cabinet?

The key decision-making body of government, made up of ministers with the most important portfolios A committee in the Senate that reviews Bills The group of senators who represent each state

Why it matters: The Cabinet is the key decision-making body of the government. It consists of senior ministers who hold the most important portfolios (like the Treasurer, Defence Minister, etc.). The Prime Minister leads the Cabinet, and all major government decisions are made there.

Question 3 of 5

What is a "Bill" in parliament?

An invoice sent to taxpayers by the government A proposal to introduce a new law or change an existing one A record of how each politician voted in an election

Why it matters: A Bill is a formal proposal for a new law or a change to an existing law. Any member of parliament can introduce a Bill. It must then go through both Houses of Parliament and receive Royal Assent from the Governor-General to become a law.

Question 4 of 5

After both Houses of Parliament agree to a Bill, what happens next?

The Prime Minister signs it into law It is sent to the King of Australia for approval It goes to the Governor-General, who gives Royal Assent by signing it into law

Why it matters: After both Houses agree, the Bill goes to the Governor-General for Royal Assent (the Governor-General's signature). Only after this step does the Bill officially become law. The PM does not sign laws — that role belongs to the Governor-General.

Question 5 of 5

What are parliamentarians called who do not belong to any political party?

Independents Senators Backbenchers

Why it matters: Parliamentarians who do not belong to any political party are called 'independents'. They are free to vote however they choose on Bills, and they can sometimes hold significant influence when there is a hung parliament (where no single party has a majority).