How do the Separation of Powers influence life in Australia?

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The Australian Constitution divides the power to make and manage laws between 3 largely separate groups. This division is based on the principle of the separation of powers. The 3 groups that share the power to make and manage federal law are the Parliament, the Executive and the Judiciary (sometimes called the courts).

The principle of the separation of powers prevents any one group from having unlimited power, which could potentially be misused. Instead power is shared between the Parliament, the Executive and the Judiciary, and each provide checks the powers of each other.

This diagram illustrates the principle of the separation of powers. The Parliament, Executive and Judiciary have separate powers.

Separation of powers in Australia.

Parliamentary Education Office (peo.gov.au)

Separation of powers in Australia.

This diagram illustrates the principle of the separation of powers. The Parliament, Executive and Judiciary have separate powers.

Parliamentary Education Office (peo.gov.au)

Description

This diagram illustrates the separation of powers in the Australian system of government. The Parliament (represented by an icon of Australian Parliament House) has the power to make and change law. The Executive (represented by a group of people) has the power to put law into action. The Judiciary (represented by an icon of a scale) has the power to make judgements on law. The three groups—Parliament, Executive and Judiciary—are connected.