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
No, sir, it was not I!
We didn't steal it, but we're excited to break open the 2022 Australian Catholic Bishop's Election Statement! As we approach the last few days of the campaign, Brigid and Josh are excited to do a (somewhat) deep dive into "Towards a Better Kind of Politics," written by Archbishop Mark Coleridge on behalf of the Australian Bishops. This document lays out some key, topical issues that have come up throughout this election cycle, and presents something of the Catholic perspective on these issues. Join Brigid and Josh as they discuss these issues and as they join with Pope Francis' cry for a better kind of politics!
To read the Bishops' statement, please go to https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wz1WhlUdU_UviG5-Vhp4Jtl0v9Gs4YVo/view
Tuesday Night's Federal Budget laid out the Political and Spending priorities for the Coalition Government as they look towards the next election. But what is the Federal Budget? Why is this annual speech so important? What does that have to do with young Catholics? We're joined by former IMF senior executive and all-around nice guy Peter Mullins as we break open the Budget and its implications for us, big and small.
What's Making News?!
Welcome back to the Brigid and Josh Show! In the first episode of Season 2, Brigid and Josh kick off the year looking at a couple of news items that took their fancy. Josh breaks open the results of the WA State Election and what it might mean for other elections due this year, and Brigid looks at the JobKeeper program as it is set to wind up this Sunday; how well has the stimulus policy served the common good, and could it have been delivered in a better way?
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