Constitution_of_Western_Australia
Government of Western Australia
State government of Western Australia
The Government of Western Australia is the Australian state democratic administrative authority of Western Australia. It is also commonly referred to as the WA Government or the Western Australian Government. The Government of Western Australia, a parliamentary constitutional monarchy, was formed in 1890 as prescribed in its Constitution, as amended from time to time. Since the Federation of Australia in 1901, Western Australia has been a state of the Commonwealth of Australia, and the Constitution of Australia regulates its relationship with the Commonwealth. Under the Australian Constitution, Western Australia ceded legislative and judicial supremacy to the Commonwealth, but retained powers in all matters not in conflict with the Commonwealth.
| State Government | |
| The Western Australia Government logo used to corporately identity the executive government and its agencies (left), and the coat of arms of Western Australia, used across the government (right) | |
| Formation |
|
|---|---|
| Founding document | Constitution of Western Australia |
| State |  Western Australia |
| Country |  Australia |
| Website | wa |
| Crown | |
| Head of state (sovereign) | Charles III |
| Vice-regal representative | Governor Chris Dawson |
| Seat | Government House |
| Legislative branch | |
| Legislature | Parliament of Western Australia |
| Meeting place | Parliament House |
| Executive branch | |
| Head of Government | Premier Roger Cook |
| Main body | Western Australian Ministry |
| Appointed by | Governor on behalf of the King |
| Headquarters | Dumas House |
| Main organ | Executive Council |
| Departments | 18 departments |
| Judicial branch | |
| Court | Supreme Court |
| Seat | David Malcolm Justice Centre[1] |
Western Australia is governed according to the principles of the Westminster system, a form of parliamentary government based on the model of the United Kingdom. Legislative power rests with the Parliament of Western Australia, which consists of King Charles III, represented by the Governor of Western Australia, and the two Houses, the Western Australian Legislative Council (the upper house) and the Western Australian Legislative Assembly (the lower house). Executive power rests formally with the Executive Council, which consists of all ministers and is presided over by the governor.[2]
The Governor, as representative of the Crown, is the formal repository of power, which is exercised by him or her on the advice of the Premier of Western Australia and the Cabinet. The Premier and Ministers are appointed by the Governor, and hold office by virtue of their ability to command the support of a majority of members of the Legislative Assembly. Judicial power is exercised by the Supreme Court of Western Australia and a system of subordinate courts, but the High Court of Australia and other federal courts have overriding jurisdiction on matters which fall under the ambit of the Australian Constitution.
As of 6 November 2023[update], the following individuals serve as government ministers, at the pleasure of the King, represented by the Governor of Western Australia. All ministers and are members of the Parliament of Western Australia.
- FINAL – Executive Council Guidelines – Feb 2022 (PDF) (2 ed.). Government of Western Australia. 4 February 2021. p. 4. Retrieved 22 October 2023.