Each level of government

Government

An important part of Australian governance. The three levels are:

•the federal Parliament

•state/territory parliaments, and

•local councils/shires.

The Australian Parliament makes laws about matters that affect all Australians, such as foreign affairs, defence and Medicare. State/territory parliaments are responsible for matters that affect people who live in that state or territory, such as hospitals, police and roads; and local councils and shires control local matters such as garbage collection and libraries. Many people are involved in the work of each level of government.