Separation of Powers

Introduction

Parliament is the key institution within the legislative arm. Parliament's primary role is to make laws, called Acts or Statutes, which outline the standards of behavior expected of members of the community. Parliament is able to make laws because the Australian Constitution has vested supreme law-making power in an elected Commonwealth Parliament. All laws are designed to protect human rights and to foster the achievement of social cohesion.

All other federal institutions of government are sourced from parliament, as an enabling Act must be passed to create them.

Executive Arm

The primary institution in the executive arm is the government, however the government's functions are assisted by the mass of government departments and agencies. These bodies have been vested with executive powers to enforce and administer the laws made by parliament (e.g. The Police Department, via police officers, investigates breaches of criminal law. The police identify and arrest offenders, and offenders are