Each state experienced a period as a self-governing colony prior to the achievement of Federation. Under the constitutional arrangements that came into existence in 1901 significant powers were retained by the states, and these have been extended to the major territory governments.
State governors
A state governor is the representative of the Sovereign, appointed by the Sovereign on the advice of the state premier. The governor exercises the executive power of his or her state on the advice of the premier. Other powers and functions are similar to the powers exercised at the Commonwealth level by the Governor-General.
In addition, governors have been invested with various statutory functions by state Constitutions and the Commonwealth Australia Act 1986, as well as under the Acts of the parliaments of the states. For example, governors may administer the prerogative of mercy by the reprieve or pardon of criminal offenders, and may remit fines and penalties due to the Crown in right of their state.
The governors also possess what are referred to as 'reserve powers'. These may be used without the advice of the Premier, but are used only in times of political uncertainty.
The governors of the states at November 2004 are shown in table 2.8.
2.8 GOVERNORS OF THE STATES - November 2004
|
 | |
|
| New South Wales | Her Excellency the Professor Marie Bashir, AC |
| Victoria | John Landy, AC, MBE |
| Queensland | Her Excellency Ms Quentin Bryce, AC |
| Western Australia | His Excellency Lieutenant General John Murray Sanderson, AC, AM |
| South Australia | Her Excellency Mrs Marjorie Jackson Nelson, AC, MBE |
| Tasmania | His Excellency the Hon. William Cox, AC, RFD, ED |
|
| Source: Department of the Parliamentary Library. |
State parliaments
Each state is governed by a ministry headed by a premier. The state Cabinet, chaired by the Premier, is the centre of political and administrative power in each state.
Each state has a formal Opposition, with the same role as at the Commonwealth level, headed by an opposition leader.
Tables 2.9 and 2.10 set out the state premiers and opposition leaders at October 2004.
Five of the six Australian states have a bicameral parliament. In Queensland there is a single house. The lower houses in New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland and Western Australia are entitled Legislative Assembly. In South Australia and Tasmania the term is House of Assembly. The title of all upper houses is Legislative Council.
The members of the parliaments of each state are elected by the residents of that state using either the alternative vote (known in Australia as ‘preferential voting’) or the single transferable vote variant of proportional representation.
The state of the parties in each of the state and territory parliaments at 31 October 2004 is set out in table 2.11.
The extent of state legislative powers is defined by the Commonwealth and state Constitutions, and includes education, police, public health, public transport, agriculture, roads and the oversight of local government.
2.9 PREMIERS, States - October 2004
|
| |
|
| New South Wales | The Hon. RJ Carr, MP (ALP) |
| Victoria | The Hon. SP Bracks, MP (ALP) |
| Queensland | The Hon. P Beattie, MP (ALP) |
| Western Australia | The Hon. GI Gallop, MP (ALP) |
| South Australia | The Hon. M Rann, MP (ALP) |
| Tasmania | The Hon. PA Lennon, MP (ALP) |
|
| Source: Department of the Parliamentary Library. |
2.10 OPPOSITION LEADERS, States - October 2004
|
| |
|
| New South Wales | JG Brogden, MP (LP) |
| Victoria | RKB Doyle, MP (LP) |
| Queensland | LJ Springborg, MP (NP) |
| Western Australia | The Hon. CJ Barnett, MP (LP) |
| South Australia | Hon. RG Kerin, MP (LP) |
| Tasmania | MT Hidding, MP (LP) |
|
| Source: Department of the Parliamentary Library. |
2.11 STATE OF THE PARTIES - October 2004
|
| Seats |
|
NEW SOUTH WALES |
|
| Legislative Assembly | |
| Australian Labor Party | 55 |
| Liberal Party | 20 |
| Nationals | 12 |
| Independent | 6 |
| Total | 93 |
| Legislative Council | |
| Australian Labor Party | 18 |
| Liberal Party | 9 |
| Nationals | 4 |
| The Greens | 3 |
| Christian Democratic Party | 2 |
| Australian Democrats | 1 |
| Outdoor Recreation Party | 1 |
| One Nation Party | 1 |
| Shooters Party | 1 |
| Unity | 1 |
| Others | 1 |
| Total | 42 |
|
VICTORIA |
|
| Legislative Assembly | |
| Australian Labor Party | 62 |
| Liberal Party | 17 |
| Nationals | 7 |
| Independent | 2 |
| Total | 88 |
| Legislative Council | |
| Liberal Party | 25 |
| Australian Labor Party | 15 |
| Nationals | 4 |
| Total | 44 |
|
QUEENSLAND |
|
| Legislative Assembly | |
| Australian Labor Party | 63 |
| Nationals | 15 |
| Liberal Party | 5 |
| One Nation Party | 1 |
| Independent | 5 |
| Total | 89 |
|
SOUTH AUSTRALIA |
|
| House of Assembly | |
| Australian Labor Party | 22 |
| Liberal Party | 20 |
| Nationals | 1 |
| The Greens | 1 |
| Independent | 3 |
| Total | 47 |
| Legislative Council | |
| Liberal Party | 9 |
| Australian Labor Party | 7 |
| Australian Democrats | 3 |
| Independent | 3 |
| Total | 22 |
|
WESTERN AUSTRALIA |
|
| Legislative Assembly | |
| Australian Labor Party | 32 |
| Liberal Party | 15 |
| Nationals | 5 |
| Independent | 5 |
| Total | 57 |
| Legislative Council | |
| Australian Labor Party | 13 |
| Liberal Party | 11 |
| The Greens | 5 |
| Nationals | 1 |
| Independents | 4 |
| Total | 34 |
|
TASMANIA |
|
| House of Assembly | |
| Australian Labor Party | 14 |
| Liberal Party | 7 |
| The Greens | 4 |
| Total | 25 |
| Legislative Council | |
| Australian Labor Party | 5 |
| Independent | 10 |
| Total | 15 |
|
| Source: Department of the Parliamentary Library. |
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