Seof

in ACTthe

parationpowers

In Australia, the powers of government are split betweenthree different branches. This separation of powers is an

important part of the Westminster System and helps keep those who use power accountable.

The

This is not a complete separation of powers.

Legislative Assembly for theAustralian Capital Territory

The legislative branch is the ACT Legislative

Assemby and it has thepower to make and

change laws for the ACT

The executive branchis the Chief Minister

and ministers, who havethe power together to put laws into action

The judicial branch ismade up of the ACT

law courts and tribunalsand has the power

to make judgements on laws

Our Legislative Assemblyhas 25 members, whoare elected from five

electorates across the ACT

In the ACT, the executiveis only allowed to be as

large as 9 members(That’s 1 Chief Minister and

up to 8 ministers)

There are many judges inthe ACT judiciary, but didyou know that they must

retire at their 70th birthday?

In Australia, members of the executive (ministers) must also be members of the legislature (MPs). This is a traditioninherited from the UK Parliament, where the Westminster System was developed.

This is different from other systems ofgovernment where executive memberscannot also be legislature members,like in the United States of America.

CONSTITUTIONPLACE OFFICESTHE LEGISLATIVE

ASSEMBLYBUILDING THE SUPREME

COURT

PALACE OFWESMINSTER

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