Year 7 Levels of Government

The structure of Australian Government 2: Division of Power (levels of government)
JacPlus 3.3

Three levels of Government

Not only is government separated into three branches (L, Ex, J) they are also divided into three levels:
1. Federal (national government in Canberra)
2. State and territory (e.g. WA, Tasmania, etc.)
3. Local (e.g. City of Armadale, City of Cockburn)

Why three levels?

When the states and territories voted to become one nation and country in 1901, the Constitution divided the power of government into two parts: (a) power held by the states/territories (b) power held by the federal government.
This was done:
1. to make it easier to govern, and share the responsibility of power.
2. to make it easier to deal with issues which occurred at different levels (e.g. mainly at a state level, or federal level)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KKh_ynMRmdA

​3:38 mins

​Three levels: BTN

Multiple Choice

Where are the different powers and responsibilities of government found?

• In the laws of Australia

• In the Constitution of Australia

• Written in stone, buried under Uluru

• It was never written, just agreed upon

Multiple Choice

Where are legal fights between the levels of government settled?

• The High Court

• The Supreme Court

• Parliament

• The State Court

Multiple Choice

Each of the states has their own parliaments, their own leaders and their own laws. True or false?

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

Do state governments raise all their taxes by themselves?

• Yes

• No

Multiple Choice

Local government taxes are called...

• Local Rates

• Rates

• Ratings

• Grates

Multiple Choice

True or False: Federal government is responsible for these things: Post, Defence and Libraries

• True

• False

Multiple Select

Select all the areas Federal government is responsible for:

• Defence

• Immigration

• Hospitals

• Primary Schools

Multiple Choice

True or False: State government manages its own prison system?

• True

• False

Multiple Select

Select all the responsibilities of State government:

• Road rules

• Schools

• Mining

• National Census

Poll

Is local government and its function important?

• Yes

• No

• Sometimes

Open Ended

Using one example, explain why we need local government

Responsibility for Law Making

Section 51 of the Australian Constitution contains a long list of areas in which the federal Parliament can make laws. For some of these—defence, foreign affairs, immigration etc—the federal Parliament has the exclusive – sole – power to make laws. 

The concurrent powers – shared powers – of the federal and state parliaments include education, health and water management.

If a state parliament and the federal Parliament pass conflicting laws on the same subject, then the federal law overrides the state law

Draw

Draw a Venn diagram of 3 circles. Your diagram must show:

1. The three levels of government

2. 2. How they intersect and which level has more power when they do

3. 3. A shared zone

​Copy this Venn Diagram

Copy this Venn diagram.
It will show:
1. The three levels in different sizes
2. How they interact and who "wins" in a disagreement
3. The shared power or cooperation zone

Multiple Choice

Which is NOT a responsibility of State and Territory Governments?

• Public Transport

• Post

• Schools

• Hospitals

Multiple Choice

Which level of government collects revenue from property rates?

• Federal

• State & Territory

• Local (and the ACT)

Multiple Choice

Defence is the responsibility of which level of government?

• State & Territory

• Federal

• Local

Multiple Choice

If a state parliament and the federal Parliament pass conflicting laws on the same subject, then...

• the state law overrides the federal law.

• the federal law overrides the state law.

• The other states and territories vote on which law should be kept.

Multiple Choice

How many state governments are there?

• 6

• 8

• 1

• 7

Categorize

Options (12)

Taxation

Defence

Post

Weights & Measures

Primary & Secondary Schools

Hospitals

Police & Fire

Road rules

Pet licences

Libraries

Bin & Rubbish collection

Footpath upkeep

Organize these options into the right categories

Local

State

Federal

Find your Levels!

1. Use this map to find your local council: https://www.mycouncil.wa.gov.au/#map

2. (a) When is the next local election of your local council? (b) How old will you be when you can vote in one? Hint: local elections happen every 2 years

3. (a) When is the next state election? https://www.elections.wa.gov.au/elections/state (b) How old will you be when you can vote in the next one? Hint: state elections happen every 4 years

4. (a) When is the next federal election for the lower house? https://www.aec.gov.au/elections/federal_elections/election-dates.htm#house (b) How old will you be when you finally get to vote in a federal election, and what year will this be? Hint: federal elections happen every 3 years. Remember, you need to be 18 AND there needs to be an election.