3 levels of government

The yarn

• The Australian Government is responsible for: taxation; national economic management; immigration and citizenship; employment assistance; postal services and communications; social security; defence; trade and commerce; airports and air safety; and foreign affairs.
• State and territory governments are primarily responsible for: hospitals and health services; schools; roads and railways; forestry; police and ambulance services; and public transport.
• Local governments are responsible for: street signs and traffic controls; local roads, footpaths and bridges; drains; parks and playgrounds; rubbish collection; local libraries; building permits; noise and animal control; and local environmental issues.
• There are 6 states and 2 mainland territories. Each state has its own parliament and constitution. The leader of a state government is the Premier; the leader of a territory government is the Chief Minister.
• States have rights recognised by the Constitution while territories do not. States can pass laws in their own right, while self-governing territory laws can be altered or revoked by the Australian Government at any time.
• The states and the Northern Territory are divided into local government areas — cities, shires, towns or municipalities — each with its own council. Citizens vote to elect their local councillors.