Australian Politics For Dummies

Understand the Australian political system and make your vote countGet to grips with the good, the bad and the ugly of Australian politics! Whether you're a seasoned political punter or a voting novice, this is your essential guide to understanding politics in Australia. Master the ins and outs of elections, parties and policies, and learn to discuss the big issues in no time. You have to vote — now learn whyand how.Decipher political terminology — clear explanations of the houses of parliament, voting systems and moreLearn how Australia's political system evolved — how Westminster and Washington were combined to produce 'Washminster'Appreciate parliamentary roles — what the Whips do and just what the Usher of the Black Rod isFind out who holds the purse strings — how federal and state governments work out who pays for whatUnderstand how political parties work — the differences between Labor and Liberal, and what coalition politics isDiscover what's meant by the balance of power — how minor parties and independents contribute to politicsDetermine how your vote is counted — the difference between preferential voting and proportional representationWork out the media's role — how the media reports, interprets and sways political outcomesOpen the book and find:Key points about past and current political hot topicsExplanations of the Australian Constitution, including the crisis of 1975Plans of the houses of parliament so you know who sits whereAnalysis of how the major Australian political parties came aboutA concise description of the electoral pendulumGraphic descriptions of the different ballot papersA comprehensive glossary of political terms and jargonLearn to:Identify what makes the Australianpolitical system tickDistinguish between the differentpolitical partiesUnderstand the influence of the media in Australian politicsCast your vote with confidence