Australian Constitution Centre
  • About Us
  • The Australian Constitution
    • What is the Australian Constitution
    • The Writers of the Australian Constitution
    • The Australian Constitution
  • Origins of the Constitution
    • Where did the Australian System of Government come from?
    • Timeline
  • The Six Principles
    • Democracy
    • The Rule of Law
    • Separation of Powers
    • Federalism
    • Nationhood
    • Rights
  • The High Court
    • The First High Court
    • The Role of the High Court
    • Democracy – The Right to vote survives incarceration
    • The Rule of Law - Miners pay rise is unauthorised
    • The Rule of Law – The government overreached when it banned the Communist Party
    • The Rule of Law - Even a murderer deserves a fair trial
    • The Rule of Law - The High Court limits Federal Government spending powers
    • Separation of powers – Well may we say, “God save the Queen”
    • Separation of powers – The powers of State Courts
    • Separation of powers – Parliament cannot make laws to keep evidence from the High Court
    • Federalism – Engineers Union succeeds in the High Court, expanding Federal power
    • Nationhood - The Constitution saves the Franklin River
    • Rights - NSW Government compulsorily acquires wheat during World War I
    • Rights - High Court overturns 200 years of common law
  • Resources
    • Australian Constitution Centre Resources
    • FAQs
    • Glossary
    • Take the Knowledge Quiz
    • Introduction to the education program
    • Lesson Plans >
      • Lesson Resources ACHASSK134
    • Links to other relevant organisations
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WHERE DID THE AUSTRALIAN SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT COME FROM?

Ideas for governing don’t come out of thin air. Many different systems of government have been attempted across the world over thousands of years.
 
The story and the development of democratic ideas can be seen throughout the historical events leading to the achievement of the Australian Constitution on 1 January 1901.
 
Our website timeline highlights ideas that developed over time into six foundational principles. They are democracy, the rule of law, separation of powers, federalism, nationhood and rights balanced by responsibilities. The principles are fundamental to the structure and content of the unique Australian Constitution and influence how it works.
 
The strong foundation principles ensure that we have one of the most enduring and stable systems of government in the world. Australia has a system of government known as a Parliamentary democracy, grounded in liberal democratic values and a belief in civic engagement.
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Contact Us
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​​Telephone: 1800 009 855
Exhibition Address: High Court of Australia, Canberra 
email: info@australianconstitutioncentre.org.au
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  • About Us
  • The Australian Constitution
    • What is the Australian Constitution
    • The Writers of the Australian Constitution
    • The Australian Constitution
  • Origins of the Constitution
    • Where did the Australian System of Government come from?
    • Timeline
  • The Six Principles
    • Democracy
    • The Rule of Law
    • Separation of Powers
    • Federalism
    • Nationhood
    • Rights
  • The High Court
    • The First High Court
    • The Role of the High Court
    • Democracy – The Right to vote survives incarceration
    • The Rule of Law - Miners pay rise is unauthorised
    • The Rule of Law – The government overreached when it banned the Communist Party
    • The Rule of Law - Even a murderer deserves a fair trial
    • The Rule of Law - The High Court limits Federal Government spending powers
    • Separation of powers – Well may we say, “God save the Queen”
    • Separation of powers – The powers of State Courts
    • Separation of powers – Parliament cannot make laws to keep evidence from the High Court
    • Federalism – Engineers Union succeeds in the High Court, expanding Federal power
    • Nationhood - The Constitution saves the Franklin River
    • Rights - NSW Government compulsorily acquires wheat during World War I
    • Rights - High Court overturns 200 years of common law
  • Resources
    • Australian Constitution Centre Resources
    • FAQs
    • Glossary
    • Take the Knowledge Quiz
    • Introduction to the education program
    • Lesson Plans >
      • Lesson Resources ACHASSK134
    • Links to other relevant organisations