Australian state Victoria Meeting place Parliament House | Main organ Victorian Ministry | |
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Formation 1851 as responsible Colonial government;
1901 as an Australian state Legislature Parliament of Victoria;
Legislative Council of Victoria
Legislative Assembly of Victoria | ||
The Government of Victoria, also referred to as the Victorian Government, is the Australian state democratic administrative authority of Victoria. The Government of Victoria, a parliamentary constitutional monarchy, was formed in 1851 as prescribed in its Constitution, as amended from time to time. Since the Federation of Australia in 1901, Victoria has been a state of the Commonwealth of Australia, and the Constitution of Australia regulates its relationship with the Commonwealth. Under the Australian Constitution, Victoria ceded legislative and judicial supremacy to the Commonwealth, but retained powers in all matters not in conflict with the Commonwealth.
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Executive and judicial powers
Victoria is governed according to the principles of the Westminster system, a form of parliamentary government based on the model of the United Kingdom. Legislative power rests with the Parliament of Victoria, which consists of the Crown, represented by the Governor of Victoria, and the two Houses, the Victorian Legislative Council (the upper house) and the Victorian Legislative Assembly (the lower house).
Executive power rests formally with the Executive Council, which consists of the Governor and senior ministers. In practice executive power is exercised by the Premier of Victoria and the Cabinet, who are appointed by the Governor, but who hold office by virtue of their ability to command the support of a majority of members of the Legislative Assembly.
Judicial power is exercised by the Supreme Court of Victoria and a system of subordinate courts, but the High Court of Australia and other federal courts have overriding jurisdiction on matters which fall under the ambit of the Australian Constitution.
Public administration in Victoria
Victoria's public service has a reputation as one of the best in Australia. Areas in which Victoria is particularly strong include: road safety; water efficiency; the liveability of Melbourne; efforts to address family violence; and the efficiency and effectiveness of its service delivery.