Political parties and forming government

The yarn

• A political party is a group of people who share similar ideas about how a country should be governed. The main parties are the Liberal Party of Australia, the Australian Labor Party, the Nationals and the Australian Greens.
• Most parliamentarians belong to a party. Those who don't are called 'independents'. People are free to join a political party if they choose.
• After a federal election, government is generally formed by the party or coalition of parties with the majority of members in the House of Representatives. Its leader becomes the Prime Minister.
• The party or coalition with the second largest number of members in the House of Representatives forms the Opposition, led by the Leader of the Opposition.
• The Prime Minister recommends MPs or Senators to become ministers. The Governor-General approves the appointment of the Prime Minister and ministers.
• Ministers are responsible for an area of government called a portfolio. Ministers with the most important portfolios make up the Cabinet, the key decision making body of government.