Episode 2: The System! - a podcast by Brigid Cooney & Br Joshua Whicker MGL

The System!
In this episode, Brigid and Josh break open the Australian political system. They discuss the different levels of government across local, state and federal levels, as well as the difference between the Legislative, Executive and Judicial branches of government. They discuss the different people who make up the government, the way the Cabinet works, and how the government is held to account. They finish by looking at why the system is important, and how understanding the system helps young Catholics better engage in politics and society.

How it Works
Australia's political system is a hybrid (or mix) of the Westminster system (the system in the UK) and the Washington system (the system in the US). It is colloquially known as the "Wash-minster" System. Whilst the states and territories each have slightly different systems, they are similar to how the Federal government is structured.

Governing power is spread across three different branches of government; the power to make laws is reserved to the Legislature (the Australian Parliament), the power to administer and execute laws is reserved to the Executive Government (the Prime Minister and their Cabinet), and the power to adjudicate on and enforce the laws is reserved to the Judiciary (the High Court and other federal courts).

The Parliament is made up of two chambers; the House of Representatives (comprised of 151 members from roughly equally populated electoral divisions around the country) and the Senate (comprised of 12 senators from the 6 states and 2 each from the territories). The largest party (or coalition of parties) in the House of Representatives forms the Government, and the next largest party forms the Opposition.

Helpful Links
The Parliament of Australia has heaps of resources to help you understand the system and how politics works in Australia. They cover a broad range of topics, and at a depth much greater than we can cover in one simple podcast episode.

For a general introduction to Australia's system of government, click here.
To learn more about how the House of Representatives works, including the roles of the government and the opposition, click here.
To learn more about how the Senate works, click here.
For more information about how laws are made, click here.
Interested in what a Member of Parliament does? Click here.
The Constitution is the foundational law that dictates how the Australian system works. for more information, click here.

Get in Touch!
Is there a topic we discussed in this episode that you'd like to hear more about? Send us a message on Facebook, Instagram or email us at thebrigidandjoshshow@gmail.com.

Extra Resources
You can find heaps of helpful resources at the links below.
Parliamentary Education Office
SBS - How does our Parliament Work
Parliament House - An Overview

Further episodes of The Brigid

Further podcasts by Brigid Cooney & Br Joshua Whicker MGL

Website of Brigid Cooney & Br Joshua Whicker MGL