The Political System in  Canada

The Political System in Australia

The Political System in New Zealand

Extended Reading Material 

Governor-General of Australia

The Governor-General is the Queen'srepresentative and the Head of State in Australia. The Governor-General has many importantconstitutional, official and ceremonial duties to perform. For example, the Governor-General:

1) dissolves the Parliament and issueswrits for new elections;

2) commissions the Prime Minister andappoints other Ministers after elections;

3) gives assent to laws when they havebeen passed by the two Houses of Parliament - the Senate and the House ofRepresentatives;

4) acts on the advice of Ministersthrough the Executive Council to issue regulationsand proclamations under existing laws; appoints Federal judges; ambassadors and highcommissioners to overseas countries and other senior government officials;issuesRoyal Commissions of enquiry; exercises the prerogative of mercy; and

5) authorises many other executive decisions byMinisters such as raising government loans or approving treaties with foreigngovernments.

One of the main ceremonial duties of theGovernor-General is to open the proceedings of the Commonwealth Parliamentfollowing each election. The GovernorGeneral summons members of the House ofRepresentatives to the Senate chamber and delivers a speech prepared by thegovernment.