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Australia has a federal system of government within which there are four divisions: Commonwealth, State, Territory and local government.

This chapter outlines the basic features of the Australian system of government, including:

• the constitutional basis of government;

• the Sovereign;

• the Governor-General;

• the Commonwealth Parliament;

• the Commonwealth Government;

• the Australian Public Service;

• Commonwealth elections;

• State government;

• Territory government — self-governing;

• Territory government — non-self-governing;

• local government; and

• the party system.