Victoria State Government

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Victoria State Government
Government of the State of Victoria
Victoria State Government logo.svg
The logo that identifies the executive government.
Overview
Established
StateFlag of Victoria (Australia).svg  Victoria
CountryFlag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia
Leader Premier of Victoria (Jacinta Allan)
Appointed by Governor of Victoria (Margaret Gardner) [1]
Main organ
Ministries 10 government departments
Responsible to Parliament of Victoria
Annual budget$111.7 billion (2023-2024) [2]
Headquarters 1 Treasury Place
Website vic.gov.au

The Victoria State Government, also referred to as the Victorian Government, is the executive government of the Australian state of Victoria.

Contents

As a parliamentary constitutional monarchy, the State Government was first formed in 1851 when Victoria first gained the right to responsible government. The Constitution of Australia regulates the relationship between the Victorian Government and the Commonwealth level of government, and cedes legislative and judicial supremacy to the federal government on conflicting matters. [3] [4]

The Victoria State Government enforces acts passed by the parliament through government departments, statutory authorities, and other public agencies. The government is formally presided over by the governor, who exercises executive authority granted by the state's constitution through the Executive Council, a body consisting of senior cabinet ministers. In reality, both the governor and the Executive Council are largely ceremonial, with the premier and ministers having control over policy, appointments, and other executive orders made by the governor. [5]

Executive branch

The Government of Victoria operates under the principles of the Westminster system as adapted in the Australian Constitution and of responsible government. Both systems and principles of governance have developed out of the United Kingdom, to which Victoria was previously a colony.

Executive power rests formally with the Executive Council, which consists of the governor and senior ministers. In practice, executive power is exercised by the premier, appointed by the governor, provided they can command the support of a majority of members of the Legislative Assembly. The Cabinet is the de facto chief policy making organ and consists of the premier and all ministers.

See also

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References

  1. Constitution Act 1975 (Vic) s 50
  2. Victorian Government (June 2023). "Victorian Budget 2023/24: Budget Strategy and Outlook - Budget Paper no. 2" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 16 January 2024. Retrieved 8 February 2024.
  3. Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act (Act). 1900.
  4. "Fact Sheet: Victoria's Parliamentary History". Parliament of Victoria. 25 February 2015. Archived from the original on 14 December 2021. Retrieved 21 March 2019.
  5. Constitution Act (PDF) (Act). 1975.