This paper intends to focus on the complexity of the Australian Washminster System in the context of accountability.

The Australia Washmninster System is one of the most complex political systems in the world that consists of the US “Washington” model and British “Westminster” model. In terms of accountability, it is related to responsibilities, answerability and storytelling between the accountable party and to whom he is accountable to (Noble 2010).

Before 1901, the Australia continent was divided into six British colonies which were partly self-governing, but subject to the law-making power of the British Parliament. When the Australian federal system was developing during the 1890s, it took some of its features from British Parliamentary model which was very influential. This impact can be seen in many aspects of the appearance and function of the two chambers of the Australian Parliament. The idea of responsible government that a government elected by the people and accountable to the Parliament is a significant British contribution, which reflects the principle of parliamentary accountability. Moreover, the separation of powers between legislature, executive and judiciary in order to prevent oppressive government owes much to the British model(The Australian System of Government 2010).

In Australia, the government is chosen according to the majority support of the low house and it is accountable to the lower house of parliament. If there is a loss of confidence of the lower house, the government is obliged to resign and this could also cause the dissolution of the house and a general election(Australian Federal Democracy: a Chart 2016).

In addition, there is a historical significance for responsible government which refers to the gaining of self-government by Australian colonies from 1856. Before responsible government, executive decisions in the colonies were the responsibility of the governor who was advised by a representative body including elected members. After responsible government, the governor is obliged to act on the advice of the prime minister and a group of ministers who had majority support in the lower house of parliament (Responsible Government 2016).

Also, the separation of powers cooperated with responsible government to guide the way that the law is made and managed. According to responsible government, it exists only for a party or coalition of parties maintain majority support of the low house and this provides another check on the executive to ensure they remain accountable to the Parliament and do not abuse their power (Separation of Powers 2016).

In conclusion, the granting of responsible government for the Australian colonies was a major achievement. It meant that self-governing colonists have a wide franchise under a system of parliamentary democracy based on popular elections for the lower house of parliament, although powerful upper houses, the governor with residual powers and the British government sometimes override colonial legislation(Responsible Government 2016). The responsible government model has continued to be the foundation of parliamentary government and colonial experience of the system served as the basis for the design and operation of commonwealth parliamentary government from 1901.

Reference:

Australian Federal Democracy: a Chart. 2016. Discovering Democracy Units. Accessed April 1, http://www1.curriculum.edu.au/ddunits/guide/g5b_chart.htm

Noble. Alan. 2010. The Washminster system:Voting in Australia. Techchomp. http://techchomp.blogspot.com.au/2010/11/washminster-system-voting-in-australia.html

Responsible Government. 2016. Australianpolitics.com. Accessed April 1, http://australianpolitics.com/democracy/key-terms/responsible-government Separation of Powers: Parliament, Executive and Judiciary. 2016. Parliamentary Education Office. Accessed April 1, http://www.peo.gov.au/learning/fact-sheets/separation-of-powers.html

The Australian System of Government. 2016. Parliament of Australia. Accessed April1, http://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/House_of_Representatives/Powers_practice _and_procedure/00_-_Infosheets/Infosheet_20_-_The_Australian_system_of_government