Government of Western Australia facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Government of Western Australia

Coat of arms of the State of Western Australia, used for formal and ceremonial purposes.
Formation	1890 as responsible Colonial government; 1901 as an Australian state
Australian state	Western Australia
Website	http://www.wa.gov.au/
Legislative branch
Legislature	Parliament of Western Australia; WA Legislative Council WA Legislative Assembly
Meeting place	Parliament House
Executive branch
Main organ	Executive Council
Leader	Premier
Appointer	Governor
Meeting place	Parliament House
Judicial branch
Court	Supreme Court
Seat	Perth

The Government of Western Australia is like the "boss" or managing team for the state of Western Australia. It's also known as the Western Australian Government. This government helps run the state and make important decisions for the people who live there.

Western Australia's government was set up in 1890. It's a type of government called a parliamentary constitutional monarchy. This means that while Australia has a King or Queen (the Crown), the real power to make laws and run the state is held by elected representatives in a parliament.

Since 1901, Western Australia has been one of the states that make up the country of Australia. This happened when the different colonies joined together to form the Commonwealth of Australia. The main rulebook for Australia, called the Constitution of Australia, explains how the state government works with the national Australian Government. Western Australia can make its own rules on many things, as long as they don't go against the national laws.

How Western Australia is Governed

Western Australia uses a system of government called the Westminster system. This system is based on how the government works in the United Kingdom. It divides power into three main parts:

• Legislative Power: This is the power to make laws.
• Executive Power: This is the power to carry out or enforce the laws.
• Judicial Power: This is the power to interpret laws and make judgments.

Making Laws: The Parliament

The power to make laws in Western Australia belongs to the Parliament of Western Australia. This Parliament has three parts:

• The Crown: This is represented by the Governor of Western Australia. The Governor is like the King or Queen's representative in the state.
• The Legislative Council: This is the "upper house" of the Parliament.
• The Legislative Assembly: This is the "lower house" of the Parliament.

Members of both the Legislative Council and the Legislative Assembly are chosen by the people of Western Australia through elections. They meet at Parliament House to discuss and vote on new laws.

Carrying Out Laws: The Executive Council

The power to carry out or enforce the laws is formally held by the Executive Council. This group includes the Governor and the most important government ministers.

The Governor has the formal power, but they usually act on the advice of the Premier of Western Australia and the Cabinet. The Premier is the leader of the government, similar to a prime minister for the state. The Premier and other ministers are chosen by the Governor. They keep their jobs as long as they have the support of most members in the Legislative Assembly.

Interpreting Laws: The Courts

The power to interpret laws and make judgments is held by the Supreme Court of Western Australia. There are also other smaller courts that help with this. However, for some big issues, the High Court of Australia (which is a national court) and other federal courts can make final decisions.

Government Ministers

The government is made up of different ministers, each in charge of a specific area. For example, there might be a Minister for Education, a Minister for Health, or a Minister for Transport. These ministers work together to manage their areas and make sure the government's plans are put into action.

The list of ministers can change after elections. For example, after the state election on 11 March 2017, a new Labor government took over. This means the people in charge of each area changed.

Images for kids

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  Colin Barnett was the Premier of Western Australia before March 2017.

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  Mark McGowan became the Premier of Western Australia after March 2017.

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  John Day was a Minister for Health.

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  Roger Cook was the Shadow Minister for Health.

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  Dr Mike Nahan was the Treasurer of Western Australia.

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  Albert Jacob was the Minister for Environment.

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  Fran Logan was the Shadow Minister for Housing.

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  Donna Faragher was the Minister for Planning.

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  Simone McGurk was the Shadow Minister for Community Services.

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  Andrea Mitchell was the Minister for Mental Health.